Dave Dombrowski, the Philadelphia Phillies' president of baseball operations has hinted that the club's outfield is pretty much set following the addition of Adolis GarcĂa on Dec. 15. The Phillies signed the right fielder to a one-year, $10 million contract. He will start in right next year, all but confirming that Nick Castellanos will be traded or released sometime before the start of the 2026 season.
Dombrowski has spoken highly of Otto Kemp as a platoon player (subscription required) in left field next year, per The Athletic's Matt Gelb. However, there are still more experienced and arguably better options available in free agency. The Phillies could sign one veteran who has been used as a reserve outfielder: Rob Refsnyder.
"Dombrowski has continued to hype Otto Kemp as a possible partner, although the Phillies remain active in seeking complementary right-handed bats, league sources said. One obvious free-agent fit: Rob Refsnyder, who has a strong market," Gelb notes.
Even though such a free agent addition would reduce Kemp's playing time, it would be worth it.
Phillies should still add Rob Refsnyder despite Otto Kemp's role as a platoon outfielder
What makes Refsnyder worth signing is that he is an outfielder with the ability to hit left-handed pitching well as a right-handed hitter. This has been an issue that the Phillies have attempted to address at the trade deadline over the last few seasons.
The 34-year-old has been one of the best hitters in MLB against left-handers over the previous five years. He has a .311/.405/.502 line with a .907 OPS and is one of only four hitters with a minimum of 500 plate appearances with a .300/.400/.500 slash line against left-handed pitching during this period.
Refsnyder slashed .269/.354/.484 with an .838 OPS in 70 games this year with the Boston Red Sox. He also had nine home runs, 30 RBIs, and 12 doubles.
In 116 at-bats against lefties, the native of Seoul, Republic of Korea, hit .302/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS and finished with seven home runs and 25 RBIs. He struggled against right-handed pitching, however. In 66 at-bats, he hit just .212/.268/.348 with a .616 OPS, two home runs and five RBIs.
In comparison, even though the right-handed hitting Kemp was a rookie this year and played through a broken knee cap, he slashed .231/.324/.462 with a .786 OPS in 65 at-bats versus lefties, with four home runs and nine RBIs. In 132 at-bats against right-handers, he hit .235/.285/.386 with a .671 OPS, four homers, and 19 RBIs.
If the Phillies remain active in seeking complementary right-handed hitters in free agency, as it seems they are according to Gelb, then they should sign Refsnyder. The deal would likely only be for one year, possibly two. They could agree to a contract for the 2026 season with a club or a player option for the following year.
Manager Rob Thomson could pair him and Brandon Marsh as a left field platoon. Kemp could still see some playing time there as well, especially if/when there are injuries, but would be relegated to a much reduced bench role.