Red Sox agree to one-year deal with Hunter Renfroe

Hunter Renfroe has left Tampa Bay for the Boston Red Sox.

Despite almost winning the World Series, the winds of change are whipping around the Tampa Bay Rays, as everyone from Blake Snell down could be somewhere else next season. Despite coming into 2020 with plenty of promise, the Rays have discarded Hunter Renfroe after just one season, leading the division rival Boston Red Sox to pounce on him as he looks to rehabilitate his value around the league.

Jeff Passan is reporting that Renfroe has signed a one-year deal with Boston after his poor 2020 with Tampa Bay. This move, which could signal the fact that Jackie Bradley Jr. will leave in free agency, will likely force Alex Verdugo to move to center field as Renfroe takes a corner outfield spot.

Hunter Renfroe is looking to bounce back after a down season with the Rays

Renfroe and prospect Xavier Edwards were shipped to Tampa Bay in the same trade that sent Tommy Pham to the San Diego Padres. While Renfroe, a former first-round pick known for his power, clubbed 85 home runs in his last three seasons as a Padre, he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat in Tampa, mustering just eight home runs and a .156 average in 42 games.

Renfroe might seem like a funky fit on this roster given the presence of JD Martinez as the DH, but his defense has been steadily improving, and that gives Boston some hope that he can return to his 2019 form with the aid of the Green Monster while holding down a starting outfield position.

If Renfroe starts mashing again, he could be in for a huge multi-year contract next offseason. If Tampa Bay Renfroe shows up in Boston, he might find MLB contract offers hard to come by in 2021.