Outfielder Masataka Yoshida and the Boston Red Sox agreed on a five-year, $90 million contract Wednesday, sources told ESPN, adding the most productive bat in Japan over the last two seasons to a quickly retooling Red Sox team.
Yoshida, 29, locked in a deal with the Red Sox on the first day he was eligible to sign after the Orix Buffaloes, the reigning Japan Series champion, posted him. A corner outfielder, Yoshida hit .335/.447/.561 with 21 home runs, 80 walks and just 41 strikeouts in 508 plate appearances this year.
Earlier in the day, Boston agreed to a two-year, $32 million contract with closer Kenley Jansen, bolstering a bullpen that was one of the worst in baseball last season.