On Monday, the top prospect was ultimately called up by the Boston Red Sox. Despite going 0-for-4 in his Major League debut, Roman Anthony, the best baseball prospect in the world according to several talent evaluators, is expected to do tremendous things this season and beyond by Boston’s fans. However, the Red Sox may experience some unforeseen repercussions from Anthony’s debut.
The roster crunch that Anthony’s call-up would unavoidably generate was one of the main reasons he had been held in the minors for so long. After Wilyer Abreu returns off the injured list, the Red Sox will have four players vying for three spots now that Anthony is on the Major League roster.
Maybe it’s time for Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow to get a call from Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall. While guys like Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Ceddane Rafaela would be an improvement, Cincinnati should also keep an eye on another Red Sox outfielder. The Reds could definitely use some outfield depth.
Roman Anthony’s debut could lead to unexpected trade negotiations between the Reds and Red Sox.
Rob Refsnyder, a utility outfielder, is the ideal addition to Cincinnati’s roster, but any of Abreu, Duran, or Rafaela would be welcome in the Reds outfield. Refsnyder joined the Reds organization in 2019 and has since established a specialized position for himself in Beantown.
In 28 games this season, the 34-year-old, who is in the last year of a $3.95 million contract, is hitting.284/.383/.522 with 145 wRC+.
Refsnyder is very skilled versus left-handed pitching and has embraced the platoon role that has been assigned to him. Refsnyder has a 176 wRC+ this season and is hitting.298/.417/.617 against southpaws. The veteran’s lifetime OPS versus lefties is.817 with a 126 wRC+.
Refsnyder would be a good match in the Reds’ outfield. Austin Hays is Terry Francona’s lone real right-handed hitting outfielder, although Cincinnati boasts a number of left-handed hitting outfielders, including Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, and Will Benson.
Refsnyder would give the Reds a fantastic platoon option to use against left-handed pitching, which is something Cincy has had trouble with this season.
The Red Sox are in dire need of pitching, and the Reds have enough of it. Maybe Boston would be persuaded to make a deal if a trade for Refsnyder revolved around a pitching prospect like Jose Acuña. Despite his splits versus lefties, Refsynder’s contract is about to expire, and with Anthony now on the team, he becomes expendable.
Nobody in Cincinnati would object to a trade for one of the Red Sox’s highly sought-after outfielders, but one of the left-handed hitters Duran, Abreu, or Rafaela would come with a hefty price tag. To address one of the Reds’ most pressing needs, Cincinnati should seek Refsnyder rather than one of Boston’s best players.
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