After being let go by the Tampa Bay Rays, the division rival Boston Red Sox swooped in to sign outfielder Hunter Renfroe to a one-year deal for the 2021 MLB season.
Renfroe joined the Rays last season after spending the first three seasons of his career as a San Diego Padre. The burly, slugging outfielder disappointed, hitting just .156 with 8 home runs in 42 games.
Due to his lack of production, the Rays decided to non-tender the 28-year-old outfielder, thus not offering him salary arbitration.
Renfroe’s new deal with Boston is reportedly worth $3.1 million and will keep him around for just the 2021 season.
The Red Sox will bet on Renfroe regaining the form that saw him be a fairly productive hitter during his tenure with San Diego. The Mississippi native slugged 89 home runs in just over three seasons with the team, proving his worth as a threat at the plate.
It appears that the rebuilding Red Sox will use Renfroe as an option in the corner outfield spots as well as the designated hitter position, which could be the best move for a player who has never shined defensively.
Renfroe is expected to report to Sox camp in late February in Fort Myers, Florida as he looks to get things back on track for 2021.
