Rob Refsnyder’s Boston Chapter Closes as Mariners Sign Veteran Outfielder
Rob Refsnyder’s time in Boston is officially in the books, and while it didn’t end with much fanfare, it certainly shouldn’t be overlooked. The veteran outfielder signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners on Dec. 22, closing the door on a quietly impactful four-year run with the Red Sox - one that marked the best stretch of his career.
Refsnyder’s journey is one of perseverance and late-blooming success. Originally drafted by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB Draft after a standout run at the University of Arizona (including a College World Series MVP honor), Refsnyder made his big-league debut in 2015.
But his time in the Bronx was short-lived. He never quite found his footing with the Yankees, lasting just two and a half seasons before bouncing around with the Blue Jays, Rays, Rangers, and Twins.
Then came Boston in 2022 - and that’s where everything changed.
Before arriving at Fenway, Refsnyder had never played more than 58 games in a season and carried a career slash line of .224/.310/.308. But in Boston, he found stability, opportunity, and a lineup that played to his strengths.
From 2022 through 2025, Refsnyder appeared in 309 games and slashed .276/.364/.440 with an .804 OPS. That’s not just a bounce back - that’s a full-on career renaissance.
What made Refsnyder particularly valuable to the Red Sox was his ability to mash left-handed pitching. In 2025 alone, he posted a .302/.399/.560 line with a .959 OPS and seven home runs in just 138 plate appearances against southpaws. In a lineup heavy on left-handed bats, Refsnyder’s right-handed presence gave Boston a much-needed balance - especially in matchup-heavy late-game situations.
But this winter, the Red Sox chose a different direction.
Boston appears content to roll with Romy González as their primary lefty specialist. González put together an eye-popping .331/.378/.600 slash line with a .978 OPS against lefties in 2025 - numbers that made it easier for the front office to move on from Refsnyder. There’s also Wilyer Abreu, who the team believes is ready to take on more responsibility against left-handed pitching as he continues to evolve at the plate.
So, while a reunion with Refsnyder made sense on paper, the Red Sox opted not to bring him back. And according to reports, a return was never really in the cards.
That decision may have surprised some, considering how well Refsnyder fit into Boston’s clubhouse culture and lineup construction. But with age (Refsnyder turns 35 next season) and roster flexibility in mind, the Sox chose to look ahead.
One silver lining for Boston fans? At least he didn’t end up back in pinstripes.
The Yankees, who are in the market for outfield help and still navigating the Cody Bellinger sweepstakes, could’ve easily kicked the tires on a Refsnyder reunion. After all, he’s a different player now than he was during his first stint in New York - more polished, more confident, and battle-tested. Seeing him return to the Bronx with all the tools he developed in Boston would’ve been a tough pill to swallow for Red Sox Nation.
Refsnyder, for his part, made sure to thank the Red Sox organization and its fans with a heartfelt goodbye message. And while Boston didn’t make a move to bring him back, there’s no denying the mutual respect between player and team. He gave the Red Sox four strong seasons, and in return, the team gave him the platform to re-establish himself in the league.
Now, he takes that resurgence to Seattle, where he’ll look to keep the momentum going in the Pacific Northwest.
Refsnyder’s Boston chapter may be closed, but it was anything but forgettable.