The San Francisco Giants hope to return to the postseason in 2025, and an unexpected deal with an American League team could help them do it.
With new president of baseball operations Buster Posey at the helm, the Giants have signed one of the top free agents on the market, Willy Adames, to a $182 million contract. However, it appears like another substantial addition or two are required, especially given the team’s loss of Blake Snell and Jorge Soler.
In a recent video, Robbie Hyde summarized his “2025 MLB offseason trade predictions” by predicting a transaction between the Giants and Boston Red Sox that would bring in slugger Masataka Yoshida and $18 million in cash in exchange for reliever Tyler Rogers.
“I feel like they could use another bat over there (in San Francisco),” says Hyde. “Maybe send Yoshida down there with some money and fetch back a relief in Tyler Rogers. on my perspective, the Red Sox need another reliever on the back end of the bullpen.
Hyde also predicted that the Red Sox will sign veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado, causing a stalemate in the batting order with Triston Casas and Rafael Devers. In that case, Yoshida would no longer have a spot at designated hitter, necessitating a move.
Including some cash in the deal would definitely be a must, though, since Yoshida is entering the third season of a five-year, $90 million deal that has not panned out for his current squad. In two seasons with the Red Sox, he has a.285/.343/.433 batting line, with only 10 home runs in 2024.
If the Giants consider Yoshida a potential change-of-scenery option, this trade forecast would be a low-risk method to get another hitter. Rogers is expected to earn $5.7 million in 2025, and his position as a low-leverage hurler may be filled by someone else in San Francisco.
Yoshida’s prospective arrival would not be considered a “blockbuster” move that is likely to help the Giants climb to the top of the National League West division pecking order. However, as a peripheral transaction that trades some relief pitching for a potentially valuable bat, it appears to make sense for both parties.
