Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

  • Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox have more than Xander Bogaerts to deal with this offseason.

    The Red Sox made two of their non-Bogaerts decision this week, too, and with a focus on their outfield.

    That process was headlined by the mutual decision to walk away from Tommy Pham’s $12 million option for the 2023 season, along with the re-signing of Rob Refsnyder to a new contract to avoid arbitration.

  • BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 12: Tommy Pham #22 of the Boston Red Sox is doused by a teammate after his game winning hit against the New York Yankees during the 10th inning at Fenway Park on August 12, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 12: Tommy Pham #22 of the Boston Red Sox is doused by a teammate after his game winning hit against the New York Yankees during the 10th inning at Fenway Park on August 12, 2022. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

  • Acquired from the Reds ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline, the 34-year-old Pham appeared in 53 games with the Sox, and hit .234 with six home runs and 24 RBIs.

    In action for 142 games between Boston and Cincinnati in 2022, the veteran righty finished with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs, along with 23 doubles and 89 runs.

    A veteran of 876 games between five different organizations, it’s worth watching if Pham and the Red Sox try to reconnect on a more affordable deal, or if this is a one-and-done run for Pham and the club. After all, Pham was vocal about how a deal between his reps and Bloom was close before he signed with the Reds.

  • Refsnyder, meanwhile, will check in on Boston’s books at $1.2 million for the 2023 season.

    In action for 57 games last season, the 31-year-old Refsnyder set career-high marks in batting average (.307), home runs (six), RBIs (21), hits (47), doubles (11), on-base percentage (.384), and OPS (.881).

    Refsnyder was also one of the league’s most lethal bats against left-handed pitching, as his .359 average ranked fifth among among American League bats with at least 50 plate appearances against lefties in 2022.

  • Jul 25, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rob Refsnyder (30) rounds the bases and scores a run on an RBI double hit by left fielder Alex Verdugo (not pictured) against the Cleveland Guardians during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

    Jul 25, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rob Refsnyder (30) rounds the bases and scores a run on an RBI double hit by left fielder Alex Verdugo (not pictured) against the Cleveland Guardians during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. (Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports)

  • With Pham out and Refsnyder in, Boston’s 40-man roster now features four ‘natural’ outfielders, with Refsnyder joining a group featuring Jarren Duran, Franchy Cordero, and Alex Verdugo.

    It is worth noting that the Red Sox do have outfield options beyond those four on their 40-man roster, however, as both Christian Arroyo and Kiké Hernandez have played outfield for Alex Cora’s squad.

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