New Cubs rumor alert. And while the subject, Rob Refsnyder, is not particularly sexy, I do think a deal would make some sense. Let’s dive in.
During the Q&A portion of Ken Rosenthal’s Fair Territory podcast, one listener wondered if the Cubs would consider signing a right-handed hitting outfielder this offseason to help improve their offensive baseline against left-handed pitching, specifically citing free agent Rob Reysnyder as a target. Given the presence of Ian Happ (switch-hitter, but better vs righties), Pete Crow-Armstrong, Owen Caissie, and Moises Ballesteros (all lefties), I found that to be a very sensible question. And I found Rosenthal’s answer to be even more enlightening.
Rob Refsnyder as a Cubs Free Agent Target?
Take it away, Ken:
“Actually, that’s a really good thought. And because the Cubs are breaking in (Owen Caissie), a guy who isn’t established yet, you can certainly see a Refsnyder appealing to them. Refsnyder crushes lefties, we know that. And as I mentioned early on, the availability of right-handed hitting outfielders is not great. Refsnyder is actually one of the better ones available, though he’s not really a regular player. He’s a platoon player. So, yes, I can definitely see that particular thing kind of happening with the Cubs. I can see them being interested in Refsnyder in exactly the scenario you mentioned.”
That’s not exactly a report of the Cubs interest in Rob Refsnyder (it’s more informed speculation), but the questions are picked ahead of time, and he chose this one/opened up about it in this way for a reason. Rob Refsnyder also fits into the Cubs roster picture easily, and there were some stray early rumors about the team’s interest in adding an outfielder earlier this offseason. It’s also why Brett started considering a trade for Jo Adell.
To that end, let me fill in some details on just how well Rob Refsynder has hit left-handed pitching historically, because it’s pretty significant, even if it’s the weak side of the platoon.
© Sergio Estrada-Imagn ImagesRob Refsnyder vs LHP:
2025 (138 PAs): .302/.399/.560 (159 wRC+) 2024 (145 PAs): .302/.393/.548 (161 wRC+) Career (791 PAs): .281/.383/.443 (129 wRC+)Deployed appropriately, that’s about as much production as you can hope for out of a platoon bat. Again, it’s the short side, so his relative value is much lower than if he hit righties like that (… or at all (which he does not)). But at the same time, the Cubs have a LOT of left-handed bats scheduled to start everyday next year, especially if Owen Caissie is the right fielder from the jump. Of course, that’s a pretty big if.
It’s equally plausible that the plan is for Seiya Suzuki to start most days in right field with Moises Ballesteros starting at DH, which would make Refnsyder’s usage look a little different. But the Cubs don’t have much of a bench at all, and even if Refsnyder isn’t in a strict platoon with anybody, his ability to rest Ian Happ and Owen Caissie (and even Moises Ballesteros, if Suzuki goes to DH) is probably pretty valuable. And I mean that both directly (by getting his bat in the lineup) and indirectly (because of the rest value).
The only way he’d fit better is if he could also play center field, which is not something he’s done since 2023, and even that was only 15 games.
In any case, yeah, the Cubs are pretty left-handed and are therefore a little more susceptible to left-handed pitching. Having Rob Refsnyder available as a part-time starter (or a pinch hitter) could help balance out the lineup and enhance Craig Counsell’s options in the corner outfield spots/DH appropriately.
Now, we’re also getting a little ahead of ourselves, because like I said, we don’t even know if Owen Caissie will be on the team, let alone starting every day in right field, on Opening Day. Maybe Caissie starts the season in Iowa. Maybe he’s traded for a big starter; we know he was a popular name last offseason and at the deadline. Maybe he or Ballesteros (or Ian Happ) hit lefties well enough next year to push any idea of a platoon off the table. All plausible scenarios/outcomes.
But to that I’d say signing Rob Refnsyder is not unlike the addition of Justin Turner last season, which helped ease Michael Busch’s transition into (what we can all agree now should be) a full-time, everyday type role. You also do need bench players, and Rob Refnsyder is one of the better ones out there (given the Cubs particular needs).
Is he a needle mover? No. Is this all that exciting? No. But I do think it was a smart question to ask, a great target to call out, and an enlightening answer from Ken Rosenthal. I will be keeping Rob Refsnyder fully on my radar from here on out.
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