In June 2023, the Boston Red Sox extended veteran outfielder Rob Refsnyder, a move that initially sparked little enthusiasm among fans. However, nobody could have anticipated that just a season later, Refsnyder would emerge as a crucial contributor for the team. Although he, like many of his teammates, struggled offensively after the trade deadline, his first-half performance at the plate was nothing short of remarkable.
At 33 years old, Refsnyder’s season was marked by several career milestones. He finished with a slash line of .283/.359/.471, achieving an impressive .830 OPS along with 16 doubles, 11 home runs, and 40 RBIs across 93 games. Prior to joining the Red Sox, he had never played more than 58 games in a season with any of his previous five teams, making this breakout even more notable.
Despite his impressive resurgence and career year, Refsnyder had previously indicated to The Boston Globe that he was contemplating retirement before the 2025 season. However, he appears to have had a change of heart. In discussions with Chris Cotillo of MassLive, he expressed a willingness to continue playing, particularly if the Red Sox choose to exercise his contract option for the upcoming season.
“I’ll be 34 in spring training. I could see myself playing for a couple more years, honestly, if the situation is right,” Refsnyder mentioned. “Especially if I’m here. You saw the core this year. It’s a pretty good core. I’m sure [Craig Breslow] is motivated and the front office is motivated. We as players need to play better.”
The Red Sox front office has until five days after the World Series to inform Refsnyder about their decision on his contract option. His return seems likely if the team wants to retain him for the 2025 season.
Should Boston choose to activate Refsnyder’s option, the outfield could be as competitive next year as it was this season. He shared playing time with Wilyer Abreu and Tyler O’Neill, while Masataka Yoshida could also factor into the outfield equation if the team opts to utilize him there. Additionally, Ceddanne Rafaela may need a permanent outfield position, especially if Trevor Story remains healthy in 2025. Roman Anthony is also expected to be ready for the major leagues by spring training, complicating Refsnyder’s chances of securing a regular spot in the lineup.
If the Red Sox decide not to re-sign O’Neill, it would create more opportunities in the outfield, positioning Refsnyder as the sole right-handed bat among the outfielders. Throughout this season, he has taken on a leadership role within the team, and his veteran presence would be invaluable to Boston’s relatively young and inexperienced roster.
Given his stellar 2024 performance, it seems Refsnyder has several productive seasons ahead of him. He would undoubtedly prefer to retire on a high note after achieving the best season of his nine-year career, yet there’s a strong belief that more great moments are still to come.