Hunter Renfroe is a professional baseball player who has played for several teams throughout his career, including the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Angels.
Renfroe was selected by the Padres in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft and made his debut in 2016. However, he was traded to the Rays before the 2020 season, and then subsequently traded to other teams in the following years.
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind the Rays’ decision to trade Renfroe before the 2021 season. Specifically, we will look at the financial reasons behind the trade, the surplus of outfielders on the team, and the Andrew Benintendi trade.
By understanding the reasons behind this trade, we can gain a better understanding of the factors that teams consider when making such decisions, and how they impact the players involved.
Financial Reasons
Payroll management is a crucial aspect of running a successful baseball team. Teams have to balance their desire to have a talented roster with the financial constraints of their budget.
In order to remain competitive, teams must make smart financial decisions, including trading or releasing players to stay within their budget.
One factor that can impact a team’s payroll is arbitration. Arbitration is a process in which a player and team negotiate their contract for the upcoming season.
If the two parties cannot agree on a contract, an arbitrator makes a decision based on each side’s proposed salary. Arbitration can be a costly process for teams, especially if the player is seeking a significant raise.
In Renfroe’s case, he was eligible for arbitration before the 2021 season. He had just completed a strong season with the Rays, hitting .156 with eight home runs in 42 games.
However, his success meant that he was due for a significant raise in salary. Given the Rays’ budget constraints, they may have felt that Renfroe’s salary demands were too high, and trading him was a way to avoid those costs.
In addition, the Rays had made a habit of trading players before they became too expensive. The team had a reputation for being a “small market” team with a limited budget, so trading Renfroe was consistent with their past behavior.
By trading Renfroe, the Rays could avoid paying him a higher salary, which would have been a financial burden on the team.
Overall, the decision to trade Renfroe was a financially sound decision for the Rays. While he had played well during his time with the team, his upcoming arbitration costs made him a liability for a team with a limited budget.
By trading him, the Rays could free up payroll space and potentially use those funds to sign other players or address other needs.
Surplus of Outfielders
The Rays’ outfield situation in 2020 was quite crowded, with several talented players vying for playing time. In addition to Renfroe, the Rays had Kevin Kiermaier, Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot, Austin Meadows, and Yoshi Tsutsugo, among others.
Kiermaier was the team’s primary center fielder and a mainstay in the Rays’ lineup. Arozarena emerged as a star during the postseason, hitting 10 home runs and earning ALCS MVP honors.
Margot was a versatile outfielder who could play all three positions and had a solid bat. Meadows was an up-and-coming player with a lot of potential, while Tsutsugo was a newcomer to the team who was still finding his footing.
Given the depth of talent in the Rays’ outfield, Renfroe may not have been seen as a good fit for the team. While he had a strong arm and was a capable outfielder, he struggled with consistency at the plate.
In addition, his style of play was not well-suited to the Rays’ approach, which prioritizes getting on base and manufacturing runs. Renfroe was known for his power, but his low on-base percentage made him a liability in the Rays’ system.
By trading Renfroe, the Rays were able to balance their roster and make room for other players. Arozarena’s breakout performance in the postseason made him a lock for the starting lineup, while Margot’s versatility and strong play made him a valuable asset.
Meadows was also expected to play a bigger role in the outfield, and the addition of Benintendi gave the team another option.
Overall, the Rays had a surplus of outfielders in 2020, and Renfroe’s style of play and salary demands may have made him expendable. By trading him, the Rays could make room for other players and balance their roster to maximize their chances of success.
Andrew Benintendi Trade
The trade between the Rays and Red Sox involving Renfroe and Benintendi was a three-team deal that also included the Kansas City Royals. The Rays sent Renfroe and a player to be named later to the Red Sox in exchange for Benintendi, while the Royals acquired outfielder Franchy Cordero and two players to be named later from the Red Sox.
The Rays acquired Benintendi because they believed he would be a good fit for their team. Benintendi was a former top prospect who had struggled with injuries and consistency in recent years, but the Rays saw potential in him.
They valued his ability to get on base, play solid defense, and contribute to their team-first approach.
In terms of contract situations, Renfroe was due for a raise in arbitration and was projected to earn around $4.3 million for the 2021 season. Benintendi, on the other hand, had signed a two-year deal worth $10 million with the Red Sox before the 2020 season.
This meant that the Rays would have Benintendi under contract for two years at a reasonable rate, giving them more financial flexibility than they would have had with Renfroe.
Overall, the trade was a win-win for both teams. The Red Sox were able to acquire a power-hitting outfielder in Renfroe who fit their roster needs, while the Rays were able to acquire a talented outfielder in Benintendi who fit their style of play and had more team-friendly contract terms.
However, the trade may have been especially beneficial for the Rays, who were able to acquire a player they valued while also addressing their financial constraints.
By acquiring Benintendi, the Rays were able to balance their roster, improve their outfield depth, and potentially improve their chances of success in the upcoming season.
Hunter Renfroe’s Career Timeline
| Year | Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | San Diego | Drafted in first round of MLB draft |
| 2016 | San Diego | Makes MLB debut |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay | Traded from San Diego to Tampa Bay |
| 2021 | Boston | Traded from Tampa Bay to Boston |
| 2021 | Milwaukee | Traded from Boston to Milwaukee |
| 2022 | Los Angeles | Traded from Milwaukee to Los Angeles (Anaheim) |
The table above shows a timeline of Hunter Renfroe’s career, highlighting the major events and transactions that have occurred since he was drafted in 2013.
It includes his debut in 2016, as well as the trades that led him to play for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Angels. The table provides a quick and easy-to-read summary of Renfroe’s career trajectory and the teams he has played for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Renfroe disappointed to be traded by the Rays?
It is unclear whether Renfroe was disappointed to be traded by the Rays. He has not publicly commented on the trade, but it is likely that he understood the financial constraints of the team and the business of baseball.
How did Renfroe perform after being traded from the Rays?
Renfroe had a solid season with the Boston Red Sox in 2021, hitting .255 with 31 home runs and 96 RBIs in 140 games. He struggled with the Milwaukee Brewers after being traded in 2022, hitting .195 with five home runs in 46 games.
Why did the Red Sox trade Benintendi?
The Red Sox traded Benintendi because they were looking to free up payroll space and acquire more prospects. They were in the midst of a rebuild and saw an opportunity to trade Benintendi, who had struggled with injuries and consistency in recent years.
How has Benintendi performed since being traded to the Rays?
Benintendi had a strong start with the Rays in 2021, hitting .293 with five home runs in 39 games before being sidelined with an injury. He struggled with consistency later in the season, finishing with a .249 batting average and 10 home runs in 119 games.
Did the trade have any impact on the Rays’ success in the 2021 season?
It is difficult to say how much of an impact the trade had on the Rays’ success in the 2021 season, as there are many factors that contribute to a team’s performance. However, the addition of Benintendi helped improve the Rays’ outfield depth and gave them more flexibility in their lineup. The Rays ultimately finished the season with a 100-62 record, winning the American League East division title.
To Recap
The Rays’ decision to trade Hunter Renfroe before the 2021 season was motivated by several factors, including financial considerations and the surplus of outfielders on the team.
Renfroe’s upcoming arbitration costs made him a liability for a team with a limited budget, and his style of play and inconsistent performance at the plate may not have been a good fit for the Rays’ approach.
The addition of Andrew Benintendi in the three-team trade helped balance the Rays’ roster and gave them more financial flexibility. While the trade may have been a win-win for both teams, the Rays were able to acquire a player they valued while also addressing their financial constraints.
By trading Renfroe and acquiring Benintendi, the Rays were able to improve their outfield depth and potentially improve their chances of success in the upcoming season.
This trade serves as an example of the careful considerations that teams must make when managing their rosters and finances in the competitive world of baseball.
