This isn’t going to make many – or any – Rays fans jump out of their seats, but the team announced a trade Tuesday that brings utilityman Rob Refsnyder to Tampa Bay two days before Opening Day.
The Rays acquired Refsnyder from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash a day after his 27th birthday.
We've acquired INF/OF Rob Refsnyder from Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations.
Welcome! #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/k4fbFoYcqJ
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 27, 2018
Refsnyder’s spent portions of time in the majors each of the past three seasons, debuting with the New York Yankees in 2015. The Yankees sent him to the Toronto Blue Jays in a midseason trade last July for minor leaguer Ryan McBroom and the Indians picked him up off waivers last November.
The right-handed batting Refsnyder hit .191 in 26 Cactus League games this spring for the Indians, going 9-for-47 with seven RBI, two home runs, 17 strikeouts and eight walks. Cleveland brought him aboard on a 1-year deal worth $545,000.
Refsnyder’s top attribute, and something the Rays tend to desire, is his defensive versatility. He’s played at least one major-league inning at every non-battery position other than shortstop and center field. Most of his innings have been spent at second base (266), first base (206) and right field (157).
Refsnyder performed well at the plate during a 16-game debut in 2015, slashing .302/.348/.512 with a pair of home runs and five RBI, but he hasn’t done enough to stick around in an MLB dugout since then. In 110 games the last two seasons, the former fifth-round draft pick slashed .221/.299/.275 and with no homers and 12 RBI.
