The Red Sox announced a series of roster moves today, reinstating first baseman Eric Hosmer from the injured list while recalling left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez. In corresponding moves, right-hander Josh Winckowski was optioned and outfielder Rob Refsnyder was placed on the injured list due to back spasms.
Refsnyder, 31, has somewhat quietly been having the best season of his career. Signed by Boston to a minor league deal in the offseason, he eventually got into 57 games for the Sox and hit .307/.384/.497 for a wRC+ of 146, indicating his production has been 46% better than league average. That’s likely buoyed by some good luck, as his .394 batting average on balls in play is well above his career rate and the league-wide average, but it’s still a nice result for a minor league signing.
Refsnyder can be retained for next year via arbitration, which is the path it seems like the team is leaning towards. Manager Alex Cora spoke to Christopher Smith of MassLive about Refsnyder and had plenty of positive things to say. “He was really, really good offensively. Versatility. The quality of the at-bats were awesome,” Cora said. “The ability to impact the baseball was there and the projections. Defensively solid. It’s a matter of staying healthy. That’s the most important thing with him. We’ll set up a good program for him in the offseason and this is a guy we really like. We really like. And he can contribute at this level.”
Refsnyder has played some infield in previous seasons but the Red Sox kept him on the grass this year, getting a bit of time at all three outfield positions. Going forward, there’s some uncertainty in the team’s outfield picture. Tommy Pham is likely to reach free agency as he has a mutual option for 2023, with those pacts rarely being exercised by both sides. Enrique Hernández and the club recently agreed to sign an extension, though he’s a candidate to spend some time in the infield with Xander Bogaerts likely to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this winter. That leaves Alex Verdugo as the only guy locked into next year’s outfield, with Refsnyder, Abraham Almonte and Franchy Cordero potential candidates to be there as well. The Sox could certainly reinforce that group with external additions, but it sounds like Refsnyder has earned his way into their plans for next year.
Glad to see Ref finally getting a guaranteed ML deal!
Same, He has proven himself to be a solid backup and is a guy who will not cost much.
100% concur -Definitely a key asset as a backup – Refs only ding is staying healthy- he plays 100% all out so that likely contributes to his back issues?
Frank – I like Ref, but he does have another ding – he’s not exactly a GG outfielder.
Still for what he brings to the plate, I want him on my team.
He’s a bench player who will get exposed with too much playing time. Not too many on the 22 Sox who outperformed the back of their baseball card
Solid season for a guy many including moi jokingly made fun of, comparing him with Blake Swihart each time one would get released or there were articles regarding their potential. Hard to root against anyone who sucks it up and continues to push forward.
I wouldn’t mind Refsnyder coming off the bench next season but hard pass on Almonte and its probably time to move on from Cordero. I’d like to see Pham come back as well, he’s been decent from the leadoff spot and has played a solid LF
Rsox – You lost me on Pham. He doesn’t have the glove to warrant the lack of offense from a corner OF’er. I’d keep him as a backup, but not at $6M. And I’m not even factoring in his baggage.
Totally agree – NOTE- his “Mutual Option for 2023 = $12 Mil.
Pham should be nothing more than a placeholder for someone else. The team needs a bopper in the outfield next year. Not sure who especially after Aaron Judge’s collapse under the pressure down the stretch…before anyone has a heart attack it’s just sarcasm coming from a Sox fan who can only look up at the standings…
Problem is we are definitely not springing for Judge and after that you have Joey Gallo, Mitch Haniger, and Wil Myers as the next tier of sluggers. Haniger comes with huge health concerns. Myers is probably not cut out for Boston and Gallo is Gallo
I think the team will trade for that player if need be.
We can do a lot better than Pham.. If we expect to be a legitimate & consistent contender in the AL East, we cannot afford to roster players who exhibit inconsistent baseball skills.,, Franchy & Duran may have some ML potential however, their poor baseball instincts, mental errors & below average gloves were extreme liabilities. We require guys who embrace base running skills & baseball fundamentals..
I know my assessments may appear harsh to some …I suggest these observations were a harsh reality of a horrid season.
Darwinzon should never be on a major league roster. But he’s Cora’s guy.
Like, they’re buddies or something? Are you suggesting some kind of cronyism?
Yeah this guy`s shtick is the asinine theory that Cora deploys ineffective relievers in high leverage situations due to some Hispanic brotherhood nonsense
Steve – Yeah I’m pretty sure Brasier, Diekman and Ort aren’t Hispanic.
Cora is horrible at bullpen management, period.
Cora has his favorotes who don’t deserve the ball but he also has little to work with.
I believe Alex Cora did the best he could with the crap hand upper management dealt him – The reality is this was a very poorly constructed roster from day one which required a lot of fingers crossed & hoping for miracles.
Yeah, all you Ref haters who denigrated him constantly and consistently once he was let go from the Yankees……he’s a bum, trade him for a bucket of chewing gum…..all of you armchair GM wannabes who think they know everything about everything in baseball…….he’s put together a pretty nice comeback with the Sox showing the talent and athleticism that got him to the majors in the first place…..maybe not a star but definitely a major league ballplayer………Bravo Refsnyder!
Haven’t seen you post much lately. Assuming you’re ok. Agree on Ref but he’ll still get exposed if played full-time. His ability to play all over the outfield when he came up and infielder can’t be overstated. Had a great year as a fourth outfielder and would definitely use him on the bench in 23.
I think Refs earned a shot at next years roster as a back up. But we have no way of knowing if this year’s performance was an outlier or the turning of a corner.
I do know that a 31 year old having back problems is concern.
Pham’s next uniform will probably be an orange jumpsuit.
Yeah, because he has been arrested so many times…
Crude as he’s been a solid teammate from what I can tell, on and off the field. He’s just not worth the salary and is really a fourth outfielder along with Ref.
Well with Ref on the IL, there go the Red Sox playoff chances.
Haha funny. Joke is pretty old man.
@stymeedone ## The loss of Reyfsnyder will not affect the Red Sox playoff chances. As long as they purchase tickets, their chances are excellent.
Too bad the Sox didn’t trade off the roster at the deadline. Can’t root for the Dodgers (Betts) or the Astros (Vasquez). Guess I’m rooting for the Indians, er I mean Guardians with Tito. Go Cleveland (still not ready to call them the Guardians)!
He had a good run with the Twins last year also. I didn’t watch him at all this year, was he hitting everything into the monster for the babip or what?