Rob Refsnyder on offseason outlook: 'I love Boston and I'd love to be back'

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One of the stories this season surrounding the Red Sox has been whether or not veteran outfielder and clubhouse leader Rob Refsnyder would retire or be back for the 2025 season.

Refsnyder flirted with the idea of retiring at the conclusion of the 2024 season. The veteran told reporters that he’s been talking to the front office about coming back.

“I’ve been talking to Bres a little bit,” Refsnyder said. “I don’t know when exactly that decision needs to be made. I love it here. I love Boston. If they pick up the option, I’d love to be back and hopefully see everyone in spring training. If they don’t pick it up, then I’d gauge where the interest is and go from there. But I love it here, even the way the fans supported us when we were playing like (expletive). I think it’s the best fan base, and I feel very fortunate to be part of this organization.

“Bres is great at his job, and I’m sure he’s weighing all the options, the pros and cons of everything. Bres is a true professional, but hopefully once the season is over, we’ll have some more answers.”

Refsnyder has a $2 million club option for 2025, which includes bonuses and escalators. The Sox will have five days after the conclusion of the World Series to decide if they want to pick up his option or pay his $150,000 buyout.

Refsnyder had a productive offensive season; he hit .283 with 11 homers, 16 doubles, 40 RBI, and a .830 OPS. During his three seasons with Boston, he hammered left-handed pitching, posting a .316 with a .411 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage.

The 33-year-old has been a clubhouse leader the last couple of seasons in Boston. With the possibility of the Red Sox losing veterans Chris Martin, Kenley Jansen, and Nick Pivetta in free agency, the club would benefit from his presence around the younger players.

“I think you see the young core forming. I look at the foundation of the pitching staff: Tanner (Houck), Kutter (Crawford), and (Brayan) Bello, all homegrown,” Refsnyder said to reporters during the final homestand. “(Richard) Fitts has pitched. (Quinn) Priester just got called up (Saturday). I think you’re seeing the depth form. I think we’re in a lot better state of starting pitching.”

“Look at some of the rookies. I mean, Wilyer (Abreu), (Ceddanne) Rafaela, and (David) Hamilton were playing really well (before his injury),” Refsnyder continued. “Jarren is a superstar, Triston (Casas) is healthy, Trevor (Story) healthy, and we haven’t even talked about Raffy (Devers). So I mean, I know the fan base will be a lot more excited this offseason. I think they’re going to be more hopeful.”

Refsnyder has loved his time with the Red Sox and is hoping to continue with Boston in 2025.

“If they do decide to pick it up, I’m definitely going to come back,” he said. “If they don’t, then I’ll have to make decisions. I don’t know if there’s other offers out there; if there’s interest, it’s hard to say.”

During his time with the Sox, Refsnyder has provided some dramatic moments, including being a left-handed hitting specialist, a diving superman catch against the Mariners during the 2022 season, and a huge homer over the Green Monster where he would smash the back window of a vehicle.