In what’s shaping up to be a hectic offseason across the free-agent market—with a flood of talent available, including All-Stars like the Mets’ Pete Alonso, Yankees’ Cody Bellinger, and Cubs’ Kyle Tucker—the Boston Red Sox have their own challenges to address. Several key contributors from their first playoff run in four years are expected to leave the team.
The most notable name on the way out is third baseman Alex Bregman, while shortstop Trevor Story still has a decision to make regarding his contract opt-out. Right-hander Lucas Giolito, who posted a 10-4 record with a 3.41 ERA, is also bound for free agency.
However, one potential loss that hasn’t received much attention is that of outfielder Rob Refsnyder. Though often used as a backup and platoon player, the 34-year-old former Yankees draft pick has quietly become a clubhouse leader, a fan favorite, and a dependable right-handed bat during his four-year tenure in Boston.
Refsnyder Plans to Continue Career in 2026
The two-year, $3.5 million extension Rob Refsnyder signed with Boston following the 2023 season has now run its course. Despite having considered retirement after last year, the veteran outfielder has decided to continue his MLB career in 2026 — the only question is where he’ll play next.
According to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, Refsnyder — who slashed .269/.354/.484 in 2025, including an impressive .300/.391/.470 mark at Fenway Park — is headed for free agency. “Though he’d mused about the possibility of retiring after the 2024 season, the 34-year-old plans to play in 2026 and has had informal talks with the Sox about a possible return,” Speier reported Saturday. “He should have a healthy market given his productivity against lefties and strong clubhouse reputation.”
As Speier highlighted, Refsnyder has consistently excelled against left-handed pitching — the role in which he’s seen the most action. In 2025, he delivered elite numbers in those matchups, producing a .959 OPS across 138 plate appearances versus southpaws.
Against Left-Handers, Refsnyder Has Been Elite
To put Refsnyder’s production into perspective, his .959 OPS against left-handers in 2025 matched that of Toronto’s George Springer, who ranked fourth in the American League, and actually surpassed Seattle slugger Cal Raleigh — the league’s MVP favorite and 60-home-run hitter — who finished fifth with a .948 OPS overall.
A former Arizona State star and the 2012 College World Series “Most Outstanding Player,” Refsnyder also showcased notable power against southpaws, hitting seven home runs — an average of one every 16.57 at-bats. Remarkably, that home run rate was even better than Boston’s team leader Wilyer Abreu, who went deep once every 16.95 at-bats across all pitchers.
Red Sox Outfield Mostly Left-Handed Bats
Would the Red Sox consider bringing Refsnyder back for another run? It’s possible. Although Boston is expected to deal from its crowded outfield group this offseason, the current roster already features Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Masataka Yoshida, and Ceddanne Rafaela.
That’s a deep collection of talent — but with one major imbalance. Aside from Rafaela, every outfielder bats left-handed. Re-signing Refsnyder would restore valuable balance to the lineup, providing a proven right-handed option who thrives against lefty pitching.
Refsnyder also made his mark in a memorable way during the 2025 season, launching the longest Red Sox home run of the year — a 463-foot blast off Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs on September 9 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
