With MLB headed for a lockout in the matter of hours, the Boston Red Sox pulled off a surprising deal. They moved Hunter Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers for three players, including former Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. late Wednesday evening.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report the news with Will Sammon of The Athletic breaking down the bounty heading back to Boston.
According to Sammon, that includes the aforementioned Bradley Jr. as well as prospects David Hamilton and Alex Binelas.
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Hunter Renfroe heads to Milwaukee after solid season
The 29-year-old outfielder is coming off a career-best 2021 campaign that saw him hit .259 with 31 homers, 96 RBI and a robust .816 OPS. Renfroe finished second among Red Sox players in homers and third in RBI. Back in 2019 with the San Diego Padres, he blasted a career-best 33 homers.
For Milwaukee, the idea is to upgrade an offense that led to its downfall after winning the National League Central. Not a single member of the lineup hit as much as 30 homers or drove in more than 86 runs. Renfroe would have led the team in each category.
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Boston Red Sox haul for Hunter Renfroe
A former All-Star player for the Red Sox, Bradley Jr. played in Boston from 2013-20. He struggled at the plate in his only season with the Brewers — hitting a career-low .163 in 387 at-bats. However, Bradley remains one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.
As for the prospects Boston received, Hamilton ranked as the 16th-best Brewers prospect at the time of the trade with Binelas coming in at 17th, per MLB.com.
An infielder by trade, Hamilton hit .258 with eight homers and 43 RBI in stops at Single-A and Double-A last season. Meanwhile, Binelas posted a .309 average with nine homers and 29 RBI in the lower MILB levels.