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Boston Red Sox: 4 Positive takeaways from the 2021 season

By James Scotti

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6 to 5 during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6 to 5 during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox OF Hunter Renfroe
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 01: Hunter Renfroe #10 of the Boston Red Sox hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 1, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Hunter Renfroe became a key contributor to the Red Sox

Our next three slides have one thing in common. They are all about relatively young, cost-effective players acquired by Chaim Bloom this past offseason who emerged as major contributors this season and will be back for at least one more season.

Let’s start with Hunter Renfroe, who signed a very team-friendly one-year, $3.1 million contract.

Renfroe was a very productive player for the San Diego Padres, hitting for a .788 OPS and 89 home runs between 2016 and 2019. However he struggled with the Rays in 2020, slashing .156/.259/.501 leading to his release from the Rays and his low paying contract with the Red Sox.

Due to this, expectations were not high for Renfroe heading into 2020. He was expected to serve as an everyday outfielder until Jarren Duran received his call-up to the big leagues and then would transition to a platoon role.

Renfroe would soon smash those expectations in 2021. After a slow start in April where he slashed .167/.235/.250 with 1 home run, Renfroe would emerge to have a career year at the plate posting a career high .816 OPS and belting 31 home runs.

In addition to his bat, Renfroe would also add value in the field, leading the Major leagues in outfield assists. According to baseball reference, Renfroe was the 8th most valuable member of the 2021 Red Sox, sporting a WAR of 2.4. And despite what you might have heard from Dave O’Brien on the NESN broadcast repeatedly throughout the season, Renfroe is not a free agent following the 2021 season, he has two more years of team control.

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