We wrote last week about how the Rob Refsnider experiment in Seattle has become a disaster that looks beyond saving. Mariners fans have become so frustrated that they have criticized them First His at-bats. However, in case of additions and subtractions, including his previous team, there may be a solution.
According to a report by Jen McCaffrey athleticThe Red Sox are looking for trade options to strengthen a lineup that ranks last in the majors in scoring. And league sources say that while they would normally like to add any offense, priority is given to right-handed bats. If the Mariners are smart, they should reach out to offer the services of Refsnyder.
The simple fact is that the Mariners have not got the version of Refsnyder that was promised, namely one of the most dangerous right-handers against lefties. He finished fifth in batting average, third in OBP and sixth in OPS among all right-handers with over 500 plate appearances against southpaws in the last four seasons.
Instead, the Mariners have got a platoon bat who can’t even succeed at the one job he was literally brought in to do. Refsnyder is batting .101 with a .355 OPS and .091 with a .359 OPS against left-handed pitchers. He’s currently on a 0-for-18 hitless streak over the last eight games and doesn’t offer much in terms of speed or defensive versatility either.
Why a return to the Red Sox makes total sense for Rob Refsnyder
Now we appreciate there will be those who wonder why the Red Sox would consider someone who is failing so spectacularly in Seattle? However, as bad as things got with the Mariners, Refsnyder had the best time of his life in Boston. Last season he equaled a career-high 1.2 bWAR while playing 70 games for the Red Sox, with his 134 OPS+ representing his second-best in his 11 years in the majors so far.
Let’s also keep in mind that playing regularly at T-Mobile Park has been detrimental to Refsnyder, as it is for many hitters. This is especially evident with an ugly .071 batting with a .221 OPS in Seattle this season. Now compare that to Fenway Park, where he played more games than any other ballpark during his Major League career, hitting .282 with a .797 OPS in 498 plate appearances in 171 games.
We know the Red Sox and their fans were unhappy to see Refsnyder go in the first place, as well as seeing him go to Seattle to earn the largest payout of his career, up to $6.5 million for this season. There are some signs that Boston fans will be happy to see him return, with claims that he has been underappreciated in Seattle. And while it’s questionable what the Mariners could get in return for him, you’d certainly take the salary relief if nothing else at this point.
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