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Red Sox Looking For Right-Handed Hitting Outfield Depth

By Mark Polishuk | March 9, 2025 at 9:46am CDT

With Wilyer Abreu’s availability for Opening Day looking increasingly unlikely, the Red Sox are checking around for another right-handed hitting depth outfielder, MassLive.com’s Sean McAdam reports.  Since Abreu’s recovery from a gastrointestinal virus hasn’t definitively ruled him out yet, “it’s not a major or critical need for now, but…the Red Sox have let other teams know that they’re in the market,” McAdam writes.

On paper, Boston would appear to have plenty of outfield help already on hand, between Masataka Yoshida, utilityman Rob Refsnyder, and non-roster invite Trayce Thompson (the latter two of whom are right-handed hitters).  However, McAdam notes that the Sox might be looking for so-called Quad-A players “like Thompson, who have some big league experience and can help fill roster gaps when injuries strike.”  This would put Boston in the market for veterans on minor league deals, or players that might come available later in Spring Training once clubs start making more extensive cuts from their list of non-roster invites.

The Sox also have star prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell on the verge of their MLB debuts, though neither player is exactly a fit for this particular need.  Presumably once Anthony or Campbell are called up, the Red Sox want them to stick in the majors for good, and the team probably doesn’t want to start their service clocks for what might be a short-term fill-in role.  As McAdam observes, Campbell has been working out as an outfielder but has only a couple of appearances as a right fielder at the pro level, and Anthony has also been hampered by another virus going around the Sox clubhouse.  Manager Alex Cora told reporters (including The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey) that Anthony lost about 10-12 pounds due to the illness, though Anthony might resume game action as early as Tuesday.

Yoshida has also been limited to DH duty thus far in camp, as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery.  All of these factors might well open the door for Thompson to win a job on the Opening Day roster, less than a month after he signed his minor league contract with the Sox.  Thompson has been making a strong case for himself with a huge 1.636 OPS over 28 Grapefruit League plate appearances.

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73 Comments

  1. Newms22

    3 months ago

    Why not give T. Thompson a chance? He is off to a pretty hot start. Maybe it continues at least until W. Abreu is ready to go? K. Campbell needs to get some more time in at 2B at AAA. He also hasn’t hit…

    11
    Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      3 months ago

      New – Exactly! Kind weird how “the Sox might be looking for so-called Quad-A players “like Thompson” …. when they could simply could Thompson, who hit a mammoth Grand Salami yesterday.

      It’s sad the Sox don’t want the service time clock to start. It’s true Campbell has had a rough ST, probably at least partially caused by getting moved from position to position. But Anthony and Mayer have looked really good, if none of the Big Three are on the OD roster it will be yet another bad look for the front office.

      6
      Reply
    • all in the suit that you wear

      3 months ago

      Mayer, Anthony and Campbell have hardly played any AAA. So, it would not be surprising to see them start in AAA. Also, Anthony has lost 10 pounds due to his recent illness.

      12
      Reply
    • Ketch

      3 months ago

      Thompson might get one. He does fit the AAAA description. The 34yo (next week) also has a career OPS+ of 93, which isn’t exactly horrific. He’s not an ideal platoon partner for anyone, however, as he does seem to struggle more vs LHP. This could be because he has a highly disproportionate number of plate appearances vs LHP and is a bit exposed in that part of his game.

      1
      Reply
      • deweybelongsinthehall

        3 months ago

        Ketch, nice conclusion on the exposure part but the question is then why hasn’t he gotten more opportunities against righties? My guess is because he is what he is regardless of whose pitching.

        1
        Reply
    • Rsox

      3 months ago

      The question could be answered by whether or not Thompson has any opt-outs or upward mobility clauses on his MiLB deal, if he does then they need to look for options to stash if Thompson opts out or is offered a big league deal elsewhere. Not many other options out there unless they give Duvall the money he wants while further complicating the roster in the process

      1
      Reply
    • bwmiller79

      3 months ago

      Refsnyder a better option than Thompson. They should just trade for Luis Robert, all it would take is Marcelo Mayer. White Sox fan here.

      Reply
  2. playhard9

    3 months ago

    Tyler O’Neill was available for only money.

    2
    Reply
    • acell10

      3 months ago

      it clearly said in the article that they’re looking for a quad a type player not a starter.

      3
      Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      3 months ago

      play – Read the article.

      They want a low cost short term backup outfielder until Anthony or Abreu takes over.. The last thing they want or need is a $50M 3-year commitment for another outfielder.

      7
      Reply
  3. Newms22

    3 months ago

    They let him go because where would he play for $16+ million a year? Yes, he hit 31 HRs, but he struck out a lot.

    3
    Reply
    • Cora the Destroya

      3 months ago

      Bregman has way more WAR than O’Neill has…

      Reply
      • deweybelongsinthehall

        3 months ago

        Sick, not a fair comparison given they don’t play the same position. That said, Bregman costs twice as much.

        1
        Reply
        • Cora the Destroya

          3 months ago

          Good point, but Bregman is at least a defender

          Reply
        • Millar101

          3 months ago

          lol O’Neil has 2 gold gloves he’s a very solid defender I’m not saying they should or shouldn’t have signed but the facts are he’s a solid defender

          Reply
        • Major League Baseball Fan

          3 months ago

          For 10 cents a day you could completely overhaul your mlbtr identity. It’s that simple.

          Reply
    • sonorawind

      3 months ago

      EVERYBODY who hits lots of HRs, strikes out a lot, in this day and age.

      Reply
  4. Ketch

    3 months ago

    Adam Duvall…

    10
    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      3 months ago

      I don’t think the Sox are paying $3m (the amount Duval says he wants to play this year) when they only expect the player to be on the roster for a couple of months at most, barring injuries.

      1
      Reply
      • Joe Teix

        3 months ago

        Keep playing T. Thompson until the end of the Spring Season and decide then if he’s worth paying the minimum salary plus incentives to prove he can hit major league pitching. As he’s showing now in ST.

        Reply
    • Major League Baseball Fan

      3 months ago

      -1.4 bWAR in 2024
      .182 BA
      .569 OPS

      How is this going to play out?

      Reply
  5. mafiabass

    3 months ago

    Splash Bro Bro!

    Reply
  6. westcasey

    3 months ago

    starling marte

    5
    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      3 months ago

      For Yoshida, yes.

      1
      Reply
      • Rsox

        3 months ago

        That could work, except the Red Sox would have to include cash and/or a prospect in the deal

        Reply
        • Major League Baseball Fan

          3 months ago

          That would have to be one hell of a prospect.

          Reply
    • Bruin1012

      3 months ago

      Red Sox don’t want Starling Marte and certainly don’t need him. They have a big outfield logjam as is. They aren’t going to muddy the waters further in the outfield. They already have Duran, Rafaela, and Abreu with Anthony and possibly Campbell in the outfield mix. Marte would be at best a fourth outfielder on this team and the Red Sox already have a lefty killer in Refsnyder potentially Marte would be an improvement over him but no on Marte.

      1
      Reply
  7. bighiggy

    3 months ago

    Michael siani?

    Reply
    • Armaments216

      3 months ago

      Siani hits left-handed. Anyway the Sox aren’t trading anything for a player like Michael Siani.

      Reply
      • Major League Baseball Fan

        3 months ago

        Siani doesn’t hit, regardless of handedness.

        Reply
  8. Sk8

    3 months ago

    Looks like Verdugo will be back.

    Reply
    • Cora the Destroya

      3 months ago

      Did you miss the part that read they’re looking for right handed bats? Verdugo doesn’t match that description. We have too many lefties, that’s the core problem

      1
      Reply
      • deweybelongsinthehall

        3 months ago

        Sick, after last year, Verdugo might benefit from hitting righthanded.

        2
        Reply
        • Cora the Destroya

          3 months ago

          After any year, he’s better off going to Japan

          Reply
  9. GaryRedSoxxWarriors

    3 months ago

    I’m loving Thompson and his hot start but I think he clearly would like a major league job and not just be a fill-in, quad A guy going back-and-forth.

    The way he’s played he might get picked up right away when the Red Sox cut him before opening day.

    2
    Reply
  10. Cora the Destroya

    3 months ago

    Honestly, if they got rid of Yoshida, I think it opens more doors than it closes. He’s the one clogging up a roster spot for others. He’s the elephant in the room. I like the guy, but he doesn’t fit on this roster anymore.

    Reply
    • ClevelandSteelEngines

      3 months ago

      Have a little bit more depth and thresh out a full thought. Who are you suggesting get his ABs?

      Reply
      • Cora the Destroya

        3 months ago

        Devers to DH, Bregman to 3B, Grissom to 2B and any rookies knocking on the door are right there to step up

        1
        Reply
        • ClevelandSteelEngines

          3 months ago

          Okay, you are advocating Yoshida be removed to open up the doors for Grissom. Why are you concluding this is the move that pushes the Sox forward?

          Reply
        • Cora the Destroya

          3 months ago

          Grissom or one of the prospects.. there’s a ton of moves / choices that can happen if you move Yoshida. Bottom line is Yoshida is left handed, which we don’t need, hes not good in the field, and his hitting doesn’t make him an amazing DH at all.

          Reply
        • ClevelandSteelEngines

          3 months ago

          So getting rid of Yoshida is to create flexibility and because he isn’t a good enough DH, correct?

          At the end of the line, what makes this move for the Sox a better run scoring team?

          Reply
        • Cora the Destroya

          3 months ago

          Flexibility. That’s what is better

          Reply
        • ClevelandSteelEngines

          3 months ago

          I don’t really see how canning Yoshida for flexibility even works. It’s not like Grissom or Campbell will hit RHPs better than old Masa. I don’t even see how it helps flexibility either. Putting Devers in the DH saps up the flexibility from the DH because he’s not coming out of the game, so someone has to move off 3B to bring a DH.

          Reply
  11. ClevelandSteelEngines

    3 months ago

    What the hell is wrong with the Red Sox facilities that they all got this stomach bug? Didn’t Grissom have the same issue last year and it threw off his whole season?

    Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      3 months ago

      Cleveland – The Red Sox have never been good at containing viruses. They were very careless in 2021 and it led to one of the highest percentages of Covid in MLB.

      Anthony has lost only 10 pounds, and we all know it’s typically mostly water weight with this type of virus. He’ll be fine.

      Grissom’s lost season last year had more to do with hamstring issues than anything else.

      I’m more concerned about the arrogant robotic Red Sox staffer who humiliated Jim Rice on Jim’s birthday yesterday. That staffer should be disciplined, a suspension is in order.

      If the Red Sox want to force all of their hitters to swing as hard as possible and with uppercut swings to get the ball in the air at all times, fine. So they will hit for more power but make more outs trying.

      However when a HOF slugger is in a private conversation that a young player initiated, don’t be an arrogant a-hole by butting in and telling the kid to ignore what the HOF slugger is saying.

      3
      Reply
      • ClevelandSteelEngines

        3 months ago

        Water weight or not, being sick throws your system for a loop, and during the week of illness, you can’t do anything physical. It still amounts to losing a week of physicality and training. It’s not a simple issue.

        As for the Rice and staffer stuff, I haven’t heard about it yet.

        1
        Reply
        • Fever Pitch Guy

          3 months ago

          Cleveland – Agreed, Anthony has lost a week of ST. I still think he will deserve to be on the OD roster if he returns soon and performs as he was.

          Yeah it was really bad what happened to Rice. The young player approached him and asked him for hitting advice, and the arrogant staffer butted in and told him to ignore what Rice said because “it doesn’t align with team policy”. And BTW the staffer had never played.

          The organization needs to realize what works for some hitters doesn’t always work for others. Every hitter is different, forcing all hitters to take the same aggressive approach is a recipe for disaster.

          4
          Reply
        • ClevelandSteelEngines

          3 months ago

          FPG — I’d rather Anthony start in AAA and figure it out and play more often, at least until his feet are fully wet. Then he can come up and earn the spot, not just get it because Abreu is behind too. Plus, there are other players who can fill the gaps who won’t get those opportunities in the second half. Squeeze the lemons dry.

          As for the Rice bit. I mentioned below, it is just drama for drama’s sake. Micromanaging is the way of modern baseball. After watching the Netflix ’04 comeback, it was really clear how the team thru Grady Little under the bus with their ‘new future of baseball’ ideology. Whether right or wrong, ideology is combative by nature. Rice is just on the wrong side of the new progress the team is slinging.

          Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        3 months ago

        @FPG It’s the same way Goose Gossage was oustered from Yankees S.T. except Rice was a lot more reserved here in his comments. I don’t think the staffer should be disciplined as he’s doing his job. I question why have Rice in camp if he’s not allowed to voice his old-school knowledge. Breslow should’ve have said more instead of sweeping it all under a rug.

        Reply
      • ClevelandSteelEngines

        3 months ago

        Okay, I went back and looked up the Jim Rice situation. Big nothingburger for me. Rice isn’t wrong. It could’ve been handled by not sharing and airing it, however, the staffer shouldn’t be micromanaging everything. It ultimately highlights how baseball has changed after decades of influence on player money.

        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          3 months ago

          It only became public when it was witnessed that Rice and the staffer needed to be physically separated.

          Reply
  12. letitbelowenstein

    3 months ago

    They needed a right handed hitting outfielder last October.

    Reply
  13. leftcoaster

    3 months ago

    So funny how many fans are being suckered by Thompson’s hot spring. He’s worthless.

    Reply
    • Ketch

      3 months ago

      Per the article, they’re looking for a RHH AAAA outfielder. Thompson (and Eaton) both fit that description.

      2
      Reply
  14. GB2

    3 months ago

    They can have Mitch Haniger. Just take on his salary and he’s theirs.

    Reply
  15. darkhorses2010

    3 months ago

    I thought that’s what Refsnyder is there for.

    2
    Reply
    • Calvin25

      3 months ago

      Right, but now Ref will need a backup.

      Reply
      • JCA-CrystalCity

        3 months ago

        I take it that Refsnyder was going to be the platoon backup to the lefties going into the season, but now that he’s starting, they will be looking for a righty backup. I would guess in a pinch Yoshida could be the lefty backup.

        There are plenty of AAAA guys out there. I like Alex Call’s OBP and D. Can run a bit too.

        1
        Reply
        • Bruin1012

          3 months ago

          The Red Sox have a AAAA guy that is tearing the cover off the ball in spring training. If Abreu isn’t ready at the start of the season and they send Anthony and Campbell to Worcester and they need a guy for less than a month then at this point Trayce Thomson has earned that opportunity. I think that’s the route they go.

          1
          Reply
    • Hammerin' Hank

      3 months ago

      And Romy

      2
      Reply
  16. jmaggio76

    3 months ago

    Sterling Marte

    Reply
  17. IronBallsMcGinty

    3 months ago

    JD Martinez can still play outfield lol

    1
    Reply
  18. Quinnap89

    3 months ago

    Will probably take Breslow 6 months to make this decision

    1
    Reply
  19. Ketch

    3 months ago

    Thompson is the obvious hot name, but RHH Nate Eaton is having an equally impressive spring.

    1
    Reply
  20. jmi1950

    3 months ago

    Breslow is just doing due diligence. You never know what’s out there until you ask.

    2
    Reply
  21. jmi1950

    3 months ago

    I still think the big 3 all need AAA time. As for a 40 man spot. Murphy & Penrod will start on the 60 day Il.. Personally I think it would be a good idea for Crawford to rest and rehab his knee for 60 days and hope to get a strong 3-4 months out of him when others are unable to go in the 2d half. If Abreu is really a short term issue, Thompson or the like should be fine.

    4
    Reply
  22. Rsox

    3 months ago

    The Braves considered moving Grissom to the OF, maybe with Sox infield depth they should consider doing the same

    1
    Reply
  23. dirtyjog

    3 months ago

    Robbie Grossman?

    Reply
  24. taran7

    3 months ago

    Take Chris Taylor. Please.

    Reply
  25. uvmfiji

    3 months ago

    Franmil Reyes crushed in Japan…

    Reply
  26. WadeBoggsWildRide

    3 months ago

    Trayce Thompson is only ever any good on the Dodgers.

    Reply
  27. mcase7187

    3 months ago

    Do the fans a favor for once trade Casas and get a new right handed hitting first baseman please I’m for sick of that clown guys a cancer on this team

    Reply
  28. baseballguru

    3 months ago

    In this guys 7 years he’s had over 200 ABs just twice, both times he hit 13 HRs and 14 HRs. Is he a 40+ guy with 600ABs? Nobody knows…opportunity for sure to find out…

    Reply

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