Finally!
— Section 10 Podcast (@Section10Pod) December 10, 2020
After another disappointing season following a championship, the Red Sox fan base’s interest was peaked by what might be in store. After all, what better time to spend money than the present. That’s what the federal government says, and they’re never wrong.
And so far we’ve gotten… Nothing.
The MLB offseason started on November 1st. Over these past six weeks, the most the Sox have given their loyal fanbase is mere rumblings. On Monday morning, the Red Sox signed outfielder Hunter Renfroe to a one-year deal. This is the first significant move of the offseason.
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Saying that Renfroe is a pure power hitter is an understatement. During his first four years in San Diego, Renfroe slashed .235/.294/.494 with 89 HR. He also had a 6.1 WAR over that span. Following a trade from San Diego to Tampa before the shortened season, Renfroe struggled. He slashed .156/.252/.393 in 42 games with the Rays. This dip in production, especially in his signature power led to his availability this offseason.
While the fills one of the Red Sox outfield needs with lots of upside, this was certainly not the move that the fanbase expected or wanted to come first. The Red Sox signing Renfroe does nothing to answer one of the biggest questions of the Red Sox offseason.
Bloom Signing Renfroe: A Tampa Connection
After the Red Sox signed Renfroe, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom did an interview. Bloom, who was hired away from Tampa five weeks before Renfroe was traded there, made it clear that he had no part in the trade negotiations.
I chalk that up to mostly coincidence.
Chaim Bloom, CBS Boston
Bloom and Renfroe didn’t have a direct connection before the Red Sox signed him. However, this is a glimpse of how similarly the two organizations now operate. Expect the Red Sox and the Rays to have more common players and targets thanks to Bloom’s upbringing. We are seeing a calculated and analytical approach to roster building. We see the analytics mixed with a player’s coach in Alex Cora. He is certainly an improvement for the approach on the disaster of Kevin Cash.
Gone are the days of Dave Dombrowski whiffing on relievers. Gone are the days where the farm system goes by the wayside in favor of the next bum arm.
Here comes the Bloom!
What Does This Say About Jackie Bradley Jr?
The many questions regarding the future of the roster include, “Will we see Jackie Bradley Jr. in a Red Sox uniform next season”? The gold glove centerfielder will always be lauded as an elite defender and is entering free agency after a career batting average and on-base percentage of .283/.364/.450.
The Red Sox have made no motions toward making the seven-year starter a part of the future of the team. Bradley Jr was even at the center of trade talks earlier in the summer after the team had already shipped first baseman, Mitch Moreland, to the Padres for prospects.
Now Renfroe has proven himself to be a serviceable fielder. His woes at the plate kept him from carving out a regular role. Renfroe is also a true corner outfielder. He has only played 15 major league innings in centerfield and less in AA and AAA.
When the Red Sox signed Renfroe, they did less to give the fans answers about Jackie Bradley Jr. than Jar Jar Binks added to the Star Wars Saga. It is clear that Renfroe will serve as added depth, hopefully turning into more. He isn’t an adequate replacement for Bradley Jr. Bloom and the front office staff still have to make a choice between Bradley Jr, Kevin Pillar, or another free agent. At this point, they frustratingly still won’t tip their hand.
When Will We Get Answers?
When the Red Sox signed Renfroe to his one-year deal on Monday, they knew they took a chance on a strikeout hitter with awesome power. It was less about finding a filler for Bradley Jr than it was for them to find a hidden gem.
The Red Sox won’t give their fans an answer on Bradley Jr until they have an answer on Bradley Jr. This fan base will eventually learn to sit back and let them work.
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