Red Sox trade Hunter Renfroe in trade involving Jackie Bradley Jr

[Jasonbay44]

Milwaukee Brewers

@Brewers

OF Hunter Renfroe has been acquired from Boston in exchange for OF Jackie Bradley Jr., INF David Hamilton and INF Alex Binelas.

[a700hitter]

And the Red Sox are taking back Bradley’s full salary. I am not getting this one. Last year, he wasn’t worth it, but when he is a year older, he is now worth it. Edited December 2, 2021 by a700hitter

[a700hitter]

I guess this means Kike is the full time 2B in 22.

 

And probably Iglesias will not be coming back unless Bogaerts is traded.

Edited December 2, 2021 by a700hitter

[harmony]

Red Sox fans should expect the unexpected this offseason.

[jad]

Someone please explain this. Trading a productive hitter for a guy who hit .163 last year?

[notin]

Someone please explain this. Trading a productive hitter for a guy who hit .163 last year?

 

Defense? And to get a couple prospects?

 

I have wanted Bradley back, but I also wanted to keep Renfroe.

 

Maybe the plan is for JBJ to be Duran’s late inning defensive replacement?

 

Or maybe this was to move Kike to 2b and Verdugo to RF to open up LF for a much more exciting hitter. Schwarber? Kris Bryant? Nick Castellanos? Mike Conforto? Maybe an Oakland salary dump like Ramon Laureano?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Defense? And to get a couple prospects?

 

I have wanted Bradley back, but I also wanted to keep Renfroe.

 

Maybe the plan is for JBJ to be Duran’s late inning defensive replacement?

 

Or maybe this was to move Kike to 2b and Verdugo to RF to open up LF for a much more exciting hitter. Schwarber? Kris Bryant? Nick Castellanos? Mike Conforto? Maybe an Oakland salary dump like Ramon Laureano?

 

Kike's not playing 2B, except in a few games where JBJ matches up against a righty starter. But he may play LF, when JBJ moves to CF in late innings and a LF like Schwarber grabs some pine. Hopefully, Jackie can also mentor Duran how to play CF. Dugo is now the permanent RF.

 

Bloom needs to replace Hunter's production, but it's arguable the defense just got better. Renfroe had a cannon, but was below average on D (he'll be remembered in Boston for his hackey-sack play on Keirmaier's double).

 

But Bloom sold high, because this trade is really about getting two prospects from Milwaukee, with the Brewers insisting the Sox take Bradley's salary (similar to the Ottavino deal). I expect in-depth analysis on both minor leaguers -- here or elsewhere -- by the end of the day... there'll be time for full bios by the end of the lockout.

[mvp 78]

Binelas: 3rd round pick 2021, OPS’d 1000 in low A this year, 3b, start in Greenville

Hamilton: 8th round pick 2019, 50+ SB in MiLB this year, SS, will start in Portland

[mvp 78]

I expect JBJ to play RF this year

[Old Red]

I guess this means Kike is the full time 2B in 22.

 

And probably Iglesias will not be coming back unless Bogaerts is traded.

 

Doesn’t Bogey have a no trade?

[redsoxrules]

Wtf! I hope these prospects turn out to be good or else the Sox got fleeced on this one. JbJ f***ing blows. Even with his stellar defense HE WAS A MINUS 0.7 WAR PLAYER LAST YEAR. Bloom better have a plan to bring in a full time outfielder or else the lineup will have an automatic out with JBJ playing full time.

[mvp 78]

Doesn’t Bogey have a no trade?

 

He’s not a 10/5 guy.

[Hugh2]

They likely sold high on Renfroe, maybe they're thinking JBJ can bounce back in that 2021 was an albatross. Remmeber, JBJ is just under contract for one more year, so again, they're throwing around money for one year so they're obviously content with going over the luxury tax limit.

 

JBJ for Renfroe straight up seems like a bit of a head-scratcher, but they did get two prospects in return, they effectively took on a bad contract for one year for prospects. But I don't think we evaluate this as Renfroe vs. JBJ because Renfroe started for us and I think JBJ is going to come back as a 4th outfielder or a platoon guy. Now this is just speculation, but if they go out and sign a guy like Suzuki and resign Schwarber this deal makes a whole lot more sense and I like it but on the surface, it appears to be a bit of a head-scratcher.

 

The two prospects in return were ranked 16th and 17th in Milwaukee's system. I'll reserve final judgment until I see the finished product for the 2022 season.

[Hugh2]

And the Red Sox are taking back Bradley’s full salary. I am not getting this one. Last year, he wasn’t worth it, but when he is a year older, he is now worth it.

 

Or Kike is your CF/RF with JBJ in CF/RF and Verdugo moves over to left. Better defensive alignment, larger hole in your lineup, probably not worth it.....makes more sense if the Sox go out and sign someone to start in the outfield. Maybe this means they're going to make a serious run at Suziki? or perhaps Brant to play LF? The deal makes more sense if the Sox sign another bat to start in the outfield. Which......could be a while now.

[Hugh2]

Defense? And to get a couple prospects?

 

I have wanted Bradley back, but I also wanted to keep Renfroe.

 

Maybe the plan is for JBJ to be Duran’s late inning defensive replacement?

 

Or maybe this was to move Kike to 2b and Verdugo to RF to open up LF for a much more exciting hitter. Schwarber? Kris Bryant? Nick Castellanos? Mike Conforto? Maybe an Oakland salary dump like Ramon Laureano?

 

I'm not sure Duran even makes the team in 2022. I think the Sox would rather him get every day playing time in AAA, they may think he can compete for a starting role in LF but I think they're going to sign another bat to play LF/RF. I don't think they traded Renfroe the starter for JBJ the starter. I think they traded Renfroe the starter for JBJ the 4th outfielder + prospects with an eye on signing another outfield bat. Pure speculation on my part, perhaps even want and desire......but it would make this deal make a whole lot more sense.

[moonslav59]

This has to be all about the prospects not JBJ.

 

I'm getting more and more convinced that our long term goals are the major priority.

 

(It was last year, too, but somehow we made a strong run.)

[Hugh2]

This could also be opening up a hole for Schwarber in LF. That or the Sox are going in on Suzuki. I'm going to be surprised if JBJ is a starting outfielder next year.

[Hugh2]

The prospect Alex Binelas is a very intriguing guy. Originally considered in the conversation as a first-round talent in the draft his stock fell because he got off to a horrid start. He attributed this to a lingering injury from 2020, he got hot at the end of the year and was regarded one of the top college bats in the draft. Down the stretch, he hit .314 with 18 HRs and 52 RBIs in 32 games. Played with 1st overall pick Henry Davis.

[Hugh2]

Again this trade seems to be all about Binelas and presumably getting back an MLB body in a reduced role from Renfroe to make room for a bigger bat (second part is conjecture on my part).

 

Here is MLB's scouting report on the kid.

 

"Binelas slammed 14 homers as a Louisville freshman in 2019, but played just two games the next year before breaking the hamate bone in his right hand. He entered 2021 as a potential top-15 pick, only to bat .155 with one homer in the first month of the season. He rebounded to hit .256/.348/.621 with 19 homers in 50 games. The Wisconsin native signed with his home-state Brewers for $700,000 as a third-rounder and handled Low-A pitching well in his pro debut before going to the Red Sox as part of the Hunter Renfroe trade in December.

 

Binelas' best tool is his left-handed power, the product of strength and bat speed. He uses the entire field and doesn't chase many pitches out of the strike zone, yet he doesn't have a history of hitting for high averages. While he draws his share of walks, he's a streaky hitter who falls into prolonged slumps when his timing gets out of whack.

 

It remains to be seen whether Binelas can stay in the infield. Scouts don't like his hands, footwork or funky throwing motion at third base, and he looked rough at first when Louisville moved him there in the spring. Though his speed plays as fringy in games, he recorded plus 60-yard dash times on scout day in the fall, so his best option may be left or right field. "

[notin]

This could also be opening up a hole for Schwarber in LF. That or the Sox are going in on Suzuki. I'm going to be surprised if JBJ is a starting outfielder next year.

 

The most obvious option is the guy already here - Jarren Duran…

[notin]

One thing about this trade is it shows Bloom will sell high. It’s always tough to sell anything high because you don’t always know it’s at its peak value. But here’s the thing - most times, you really do know…

[Bellhorn04]

One thing about this trade is it shows Bloom will sell high. It’s always tough to sell anything high because you don’t always know it’s at its peak value. But here’s the thing - most times, you really do know…

 

Have to think Bloom was really disappointed by Renfroe's overall defensive scores, too.

[Hugh2]

The most obvious option is the guy already here - Jarren Duran…

 

I wouldn't call it the most obvious option, it's just the option you have if you don't sign anyone else. A couple of weeks ago I could have said Connor Seabold was the obvious choice the be the 5th/swing starter but we knew they were going to sign someone.

 

Juran Duran struggled last year, and he was probably overhyped by the prospect people. A sub .600 OPS corner outfielder with not the good defense isn't a shoe-in.

[moonslav59]

This could also be opening up a hole for Schwarber in LF. That or the Sox are going in on Suzuki. I'm going to be surprised if JBJ is a starting outfielder next year.

 

So, why pay that much for a 4th OF'er?

 

It has to be about the prospects and the future.

 

I had mentioned we might trade Renfroe, but I never expected it to be for a more expensive guy like JBJ.

[mvp 78]

They likely sold high on Renfroe, maybe they're thinking JBJ can bounce back in that 2021 was an albatross. Remmeber, JBJ is just under contract for one more year, so again, they're throwing around money for one year so they're obviously content with going over the luxury tax limit.

 

JBJ for Renfroe straight up seems like a bit of a head-scratcher, but they did get two prospects in return, they effectively took on a bad contract for one year for prospects. But I don't think we evaluate this as Renfroe vs. JBJ because Renfroe started for us and I think JBJ is going to come back as a 4th outfielder or a platoon guy. Now this is just speculation, but if they go out and sign a guy like Suzuki and resign Schwarber this deal makes a whole lot more sense and I like it but on the surface, it appears to be a bit of a head-scratcher.

 

The two prospects in return were ranked 16th and 17th in Milwaukee's system. I'll reserve final judgment until I see the finished product for the 2022 season.

 

Adding the two prospects is a big win for Bloom. Prior to 2021, most of us would have been more comfortable having JBJ in the OF than Renfroe. Renfroe had a good year, but his strong arm bailed out his poor defense. He had some good highlight plays, but had even more lowlight plays. I'm not sure JBJ is much of a downgrade from Renfroe going forward.

[mvp 78]

Have to think Bloom was really disappointed by Renfroe's overall defensive scores, too.

 

He's tall. He's got a strong arm.

[mvp 78]

I wouldn't call it the most obvious option, it's just the option you have if you don't sign anyone else. A couple of weeks ago I could have said Connor Seabold was the obvious choice the be the 5th/swing starter but we knew they were going to sign someone.

 

Juran Duran struggled last year, and he was probably overhyped by the prospect people. A sub .600 OPS corner outfielder with not the good defense isn't a shoe-in.

 

JBJ also had a sub 600 OPS as a 24 year old. The next year it went up to 833 the following year. Duran has the talent to get there.

[TylerD]

And the Red Sox are taking back Bradley’s full salary. I am not getting this one. Last year, he wasn’t worth it, but when he is a year older, he is now worth it.

Agreed. Stupid to me.

[Old Red]

He’s not a 10/5 guy.

 

Bogey has full no trade after 7 yrs in contract.

[mvp 78]

And the Red Sox are taking back Bradley’s full salary. I am not getting this one. Last year, he wasn’t worth it, but when he is a year older, he is now worth it.

 

Hunter wasn't worth 7M in 2020, but now two years later he's worth it?