Latest Red Sox trade rumors could be the answer to Mariners' Rob Refsnyder problem

We wrote last week about how the Rob Refsnyder experiment in Seattle has been a disaster which looks increasingly beyond saving. Mariners fans have become frustrated to the point of booing him before his at-bats. However, there may well be a solution to this in a case of addition by subtraction, involving his previous team.

As per a report from Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, the Red Sox are on the lookout for trade options to strengthen a lineup which is last in the majors in scoring. And league sources add that while they want to add any offense in general, the preference is for a right-handed bat. If the Mariners are smart, they should get in touch to offer the services of Refsnyder.

The simple fact is that the Mariners have not gotten the version of Refsnyder which was promised, i.e. one of the most dangerous right-handed bats versus lefties. The one who over the past four seasons ranked fifth in batting average, third in OBP and sixth in OPS among all right-handed hitters with 500-plus plate appearances against southpaws.

Instead, the Mariners have gotten a platoon bat who hasn't even been able to succeed at the one thing he was literally brought in to do. Refsnyder is batting .101 with a .355 OPS and .091 with a .359 OPS against left-handed pitchers. He's currently on a 0-for-18 hitless streak over the past eight games and doesn't even offer much in the way of speed or defensive versatility.

Why a return to the Red Sox makes all the sense in the world for Rob Refsnyder

Now we appreciate there will be those who wonder why the Red Sox would even consider someone who's failing so spectacularly in Seattle? However, for as dire as it's been with the Mariners, Refsnyder had the time of his life in Boston. Just last season he tied a career-high 1.2 bWAR while playing 70 games for the Red Sox, with his 134 OPS+ representing the second-best of his now 11 years in the majors.

Let's also factor in that playing regularly at T-Mobile Park has been to the detriment of Refsnyder, as with many hitters. This is borne out by batting an unsightly .071 with a .221 OPS in Seattle specifically this season. Now compare this to Fenway Park, where he's played more games than any other ballpark during his Major League career, with him hitting .282 with a .797 OPS in 498 plate appearances over 171 games.

We know the Red Sox and their fans were unhappy to see Refsnyder leave in the first place, while also not begrudging him going to Seattle to earn the biggest payday of his career worth up to $6.5 million for this season. There's some indication the Boston fanbase would be happy to see him return, with the assertion that he's just not appreciated in Seattle. And as much as it's questionably what the Mariners could get in return for him, you'd argubly take salary relief if nothing else at this point.

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