In an offseason expected to be a busy one on the free agent market, with dozens of players set to become available including such All-Stars as the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, New York Yankees Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs Kyle Tucker, the Boston Red Sox face their own set of problems with several of the players who propelled the team to its first playoff bid in four years set to depart the club.
The biggest name set to kiss Boston goodbye is third baseman Alex Bregman, followed by shortstop Trevor Story â who technically has not yet decided whether he he will opt out of his contract â and right-handed starter Lucas Giolito who won 10 games against just four losses with a 3.41 ERA this season.
But one of the Red Sox’ most important losses to free agency has largely flown under the radar, because outfielder Rob Refsnyder was used primarily as a reserve, backup player who got his at-bats mostly in platoon situations. But in his four seasons in Boston, the 34-year-old, 2012 Yankees fifth-round draft pick has become both a fan favorite and respected presence in the clubhouse as well as a valuable hitter from the right side of the plate.
Refsnyder Plans to Continue Career in 2026
The two-year, $3.5 million contract extension he signed with Boston after the 2023 season has now expired, however, and Refsnyder â who contemplated retirement after last season â now says he will continue his big league career in 2026. The question is, for which team?
“Refsnyder â who hit .269/.354/.484 in 2025, including a .300/.391/.470 line at Fenway â will be a free agent,” reported Boston Globe Red Sox columnist Alex Speier on Saturday. “Though heâd mused about the possibility of retiring after the 2024 season, the 34-year-old plans to play in 2026 and has had informal talks with the Sox about a possible return, though he should have a healthy market given his productivity against lefties and strong clubhouse reputation.”
As Speier noted, it has been against left-hand pitching that Refsnyder has seen most of his playing time, and experienced his best results. And those results have been high-level. Against lefties in 2025, Refsnyder posted a .959 OPS in 138 plate appearances.
Against Left-Handers, Refsnyder Has Been Elite
To put that number in perspective, the Seattle Mariners 60-home-run hitting American League MVP favorite Cal Raleigh placed fifth in the AL with an OPS of .948. Toronto’s George Springer was fourth at .959, the same OPS that Refsnyder compiled against lefties.
The former Arizona State standout who was named “Most Outstanding Player” in the 2012 College World Series, also belted seven home runs against left-handed pitchers â a rate of one home run every 16.57 at-bats.
The Red Sox team leader in home runs, outfielder Wilyer Abreu, hit one round-tripper every 16.95 at-bats against all pitchers.
Red Sox Outfield Mostly Left-Handed Bats
Would the Red Sox be interested in a reunion with Refsnyder? Though they are expected to make a trade from their outfield depth, the Boston roster currently includes Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Abreu, Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela.
That’s a lot off outfielders. The catch is, except for Rafaela, they are all left-handed batters. Bringing back Refsnyder would give Boston a reliable righty bat in the outfield, when it comes to facing lefty pitchers.
Refsnyder also holds the distinction of having blasted the longest home run by a Red Sox hitter in 2025, a 463-foot moonshot in the first inning of a September 9 game off Athletics lefty starter Jeffrey Springs at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
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