Roman Anthony's debut could fuel surprise Reds-Red Sox trade talks

The Boston Red Sox finally called up their top prospect on Monday. Roman Anthony, the top prospect in all of baseball according to a number of talent evaluators, went 0-for-4 in his Major League debut, but the fans in Boston are expecting big things from the 21-year-old this season, and beyond. Anthony's debut, however, could have some unintended consequences for the Red Sox.

One of the biggest reasons Anthony had been kept in the minors for so long was due to the impending roster crunch his call-up would inevitably cause. With Anthony now on the Major League roster, the Red Sox have four players — once Wilyer Abreu comes off the IL — for three spots.

Perhaps it's time for Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall to give Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow a phone call. The Reds could certainly use some outfield depth, and while players like Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Ceddane Rafaela would be an upgrade, there's another Red Sox outfielder Cincinnati should have on their radar.

Roman Anthony's debut could fuel surprise Reds-Red Sox trade talks

Any one of Abreu, Duran, or Rafaela would be welcome in the Reds outfield, but utility outfielder Rob Refsnyder is the perfect fit for Cincinnati's roster. A member of the Reds organization back in 2019, Refsnyder has carved out a niche role for himself in Beantown. The 34-year-old is in the final year of a $3.95 million deal and in 28 games this season, is hitting .284/.383/.522 with 145 wRC+.

Refsnyder has leaned into the platoon role thrust upon him and is quite adept against left-handed pitching. This season, Refsnyder is hitting .298/.417/.617 against southpaws with a 176 wRC+. For his career, the veteran has an .817 OPS against lefties with a 126 wRC+.

Refsnyder would fit the Reds' outfield quite well. Cincinnati has an abundance of left-handed hitting outfielders — Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, and Will Benson — but Austin Hays is Terry Francona's only true right-handed hitting outfielder. Adding Refsnyder into the equation would offer the Reds a tremendous platoon option to deploy against left-handed pitching — something Cincy has struggled with this season.

The Red Sox are desperate for pitching; something the Reds have in spades. Perhaps a trade for Refsnyder centered around a pitching prospect like Jose Acuña would provide enough to entice Boston to make a deal. Refsynder is on an expiring deal, and even with his splits against lefties, he becomes expendable with Anthony now on the roster.

No one in Cincinnati would balk at the idea of trading for one of the Red Sox's high-valued outfielders, but the price tag attached to one of Duran, Abreu, or Rafaela — all of whom are left-handed hitters — would be steep. Rather than go after one of Boston's top performers, Cincinnati should target Refsnyder in order to fill one of the Reds' biggest needs.

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