Even though no confirmed Boston Red Sox trade candidates have emerged, most of the speculation surrounds lefty outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu.
Boston has an excess of left-handed hitters and plenty of talented outfielders in its prospect pool, which has led many reporters and experts to believe that Duran and Abreu could be the team's two prime trade candidates, especially after their stellar 2024 seasons. But Bleacher Report breaks the mold.
Reporter Tim Kelly named Rob Refsnyder as the Red Sox's likeliest trade candidate. While it's possible he's dished to make room for their other young outfielders, Refsnyder was a critical presence for last season's Sox team.
The 33-year-old was one of Boston's only healthy veterans among position players — Trevor Story spent most of the season on the injured list along with Lucas Gioilto, and Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin probably don't have as much hitting and fielding expertise to share with the Sox's young squad. Refsnyder has been referred to as the team's "de facto captain" and a leader in the clubhouse.
Bleacher Report names Rob Refsnyder as Red Sox's most expected trade candidate
Rob Refsnyder has the first multi-HR game of his career! pic.twitter.com/NmK0UHsL0Q
— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2024
The utility player also posted the best season of his career in 2024, which could be an argument for either trading or keeping him. His $2.1 million salary will be a steal if he can maintain his production from last year. Refsnyder batted .283/.359/.471 with a .830 OPS over a career-high 93 games. He also mashed career-highs 16 doubles and 11 homers.
Not only is Refsnyder a critical veteran presence in Boston, he was one of the team's few righties. The Red Sox's excess of lefty bats made them particularly susceptible to southpaws on the mound, and Refsnyder is the definition of a lefty specialist. He slashed .302/.393/.548 with a .941 OPS against left-handers in 2024. He also stepped up his game against righties. Refsnyder posted a .159/.271/.195 slash line against right-handers in 2023 and raised it to .267/.329/.404 last season.
It seems unlikely the Red Sox would trade Refsnyder after he met so many of the team's needs last year. His value is at an all-time high after the best season of his career, but Boston could still fetch better returns for a player like Abreu, who is younger with team control remaining on his deal.