5 Red Sox Leaving Boston in the New Year

4. Rob Refsnyder

Boston currently has six outfielders on their roster: Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Tyler O'Neill, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder, and Masataka Yoshida. Boston made an offseason trade for the former St. Louis Cardinals left fielder O'Neill, and if the Red Sox also close the deal with Teoscar Hernandez, there will be few (if any) outfield spots up for grabs. The team would preferably give youngsters Rafaela and Abreu more opportunities at the major league level, although it's not out of the question that one of the two, or even both, start the year in Worcester.

In June of last season, the Red Sox signed Refsnyder to a one-year, $2 million extension with a club option for 2025. It is worth noting that extension was given to the outfielder by previous chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and not new boss Craig Breslow.

Refsnyder is the oldest of the group at 32 years old, and easily the most expendable, as he was used almost exclusively as a platoon player against left-handed pitching in 2023. The University of Arizona product hit .248 with a lone home run and 28 runs driven in while playing the majority of his games in left field, where December trade acquisition O'Neill will patrol (pending his ability to stay healthy).

It is highly unlikely that there would be a trade market for Refsnyder, but he is a prime candidate to be outright released or designated for assignment.