The Boston Red Sox's search for a final infielder to complete their roster is going so poorly that they've reportedly considered some outfield free agents to get the job done.
Despite the logjam in their outfield, which includes Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran and more, the Red Sox have scouted Randal Grichuk, Starling Marte and Tommy Pham as potential right-handed additions to their roster (per Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic, subscription required). Boston could've re-signed one of its righty outfielders after the 2025 season, but instead opted to let him walk.
Rob Refsnyder would look like a gift on the Red Sox's roster right now. After Alex Bregman's departure, Boston needs a consistent righty hitter more than ever, and Refsnyder has been that player since 2022.
This isn't to say that Bregman and Refsnyder are comparable players, since the latter isn't an everyday player. But Refsnyder is an excellent platoon player when a lefty takes the mound, filling Wilyer Abreu's usual spot in right field.
Rob Refsnyder's departure hurts Red Sox fans more after recent outfield free agency rumors
Refsnyder signed a one-year, $6.25 million deal with the Seattle Mariners on December 22 and Red Sox fans were sad to see him go. Boston hadn't always been so fond of the outfielder — he came to the Red Sox in 2022 as a 30-year-old who never reached his potential. Boston brought it out of him.
Refsnyder slashed .276/.364/.440 with an .804 OPS over 309 games in his four seasons with the Red Sox. He really shines against lefty pitchers, and he batted .302/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS over 57 games against them in 2025.
Sure, the Red Sox have Romy Gonzalez, another right-handed weapon on their roster. Gonzalez slashed .331/.378/.600 in 60 games against southpaws, and having him and Refsnyder in the same lineup alongside Boston's cabal of lefties has given it length in the past.
Not only does Refsnyder excel in one of the Red Sox's most desperate areas of need at the plate, he was also one of the few veterans on the team for the last few years. Like Bregman, Refsnyder is seen as something of a second manager or coach in the dugout. Without Bregman or a comparable player to replace him, the Sox will miss that leadership in the clubhouse.
Boston easily could've met or beaten the $6.25 million price the Mariners paid to land Refsnyder, but it instead let a piece of its outfield logjam walk away. Signing Bregman and maintaining that veteran righty bat was obviously Plan A for the winter, but in the wake of the Red Sox's miss and amid the outfield free agency rumors, Refsnyder's departure hurts a little more.