The Red Sox are facing a crucial question: Who will step into the valuable shoes left vacant by Rob Refsnyder? His departure in free agency has left a noticeable gap, particularly in his knack for handling left-handed pitching as a versatile bench outfielder. It's a role he's expertly filled for the past four years, and finding a direct replacement isn't straightforward.
But here's where it gets interesting: when asked about filling this void, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow pinpointed a couple of potential internal solutions, with one standing out. "Nate Eaton is one who comes to mind and did a really nice job for us," Breslow shared. While Eaton's game might lean more towards defense and speed – a bit different from Refsnyder's profile – he also proved his worth, especially against southpaws.
And then there's Kristian Campbell. Breslow noted that Campbell has been putting in work in the outfield during the offseason and is looking physically impressive. The team is eager to see him in action and give him a chance to showcase the talent that generated so much excitement for him heading into 2024 and the start of 2025. "So I think we do have options and we’ll continue to explore what might be available from outside the organization as well," Breslow added.
Let's dive a bit deeper into Eaton. He was initially brought into the organization on a minor league deal after the 2024 season. For the majority of the first half of 2025, he was honing his skills in Triple-A. However, as the year progressed, he steadily earned more opportunities in the major leagues. By September, he was a regular fixture in the lineup, finishing the final month with an impressive .370 batting average and an .898 OPS.
And this is the part most people miss: while Eaton certainly capitalized on his playing time, his numbers were actually stronger against right-handed pitchers (.316 average, .797 OPS) than against lefties (.279, .673). He also offers versatility by being able to play in the infield, making him a strong contender for a spot on the big league bench.
Now, on paper, Campbell might seem like a less obvious fit for a pure bench role. At just 23, he's still in a developmental phase where consistent playing time could be highly beneficial. His performance splits against left-handed and right-handed pitching have been relatively even throughout his career, in both the majors and minors. However, Breslow didn't rule out the possibility of Campbell serving as a bench option if it's deemed the best move for the team.
"I think we’re going to do what’s best for the organization and the ’26 major league team and also what’s best for Kristian," Breslow stated. "And if those overlap then that’s the ideal outcome and if they don’t we’ll have to figure out how we want to prioritize things."
This raises an interesting point: is it more important for the team to fill a specific role with the best available option, or to prioritize the long-term development of a promising young player, even if it means a slightly less immediate solution? What do you think? Should the Red Sox focus on immediate needs, or invest in Campbell's future, even if it means a different player fills Refsnyder's shoes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
