Red Sox Trade Hunter Renfroe To Brewers For Jackie Bradley Jr., Two Prospects

Image credit: Hunter Renfroe (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

In a late Wednesday night trade that was completed minutes before Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced a lockout, the Red Sox shipped outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Brewers for former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. shortstop David Hamilton and third baseman Alex Binelas.

BREWERS RECEIVE

Hunter Renfroe, OF
Age: 29

Renfroe was acquired by the Red Sox upon being designated for assignment by Tampa Bay in November of 2020. The outfielder responded with the best offensive season of his career, hitting .259/.315/.501 with 31 home runs. However, Renfroe struggled defensively in the outfield, committing 12 errors. He now heads to Milwaukee where he’ll fit on a roster that was in dire need of a corner outfielder and righthanded power.

RED SOX RECEIVE

Jackie Bradley Jr., OF
Age: 31

Bradley returns to where he played the first eight seasons of his career. He’ll look to put a difficult season in Milwaukee in the rear view mirror as he hit .163/.236/.261 in 426 plate appearances. Bradley is due $12 million against the luxury tax in 2022, the back half of two-year $24 million contract signed before the 2021 season. A 2023 option year comes with the choice of a $12 million salary or an $8 million buyout. The 2018 ALCS MVP provides quality center field defense that was lacking on the Red Sox 2021 roster. He’ll look to rediscover the swing that allowed him to hit .283/.364/.450 his last season in Boston.

By taking on the additional money on Bradley’s deal in 2022, the Red Sox took on two prospects coming off productive 2021 campaigns in third baseman Alex Binelas and shortstop David Hamilton.

Alex Binelas, 3B
Age: 21

Binelas fell to Milwaukee in the third round of this July’s draft following a difficult opening to his 2021 season with Louisville. After making adjustments coming into ACC conference play, Binelas hit .286/.377/.762 with 15 home runs over his final 27 games. The momentum carried over to his professional debut, as Binelas hit .314/.379/.636 with nine home runs across 29 games with Low-A Carolina.

The corner infielder’s game is predicated on his plus in-game power and feel for the zone. Due to his bat path he’s prone to some swing and miss and that materialized in his below-average contact rate in Low-A. His average on-base skills, plus power, contact concerns and corner infield profile fit an archetype the current Red Sox front office has targeted in recent seasons. Likely to move off of third base long term, Binelas has extra pressure on his bat to perform.

David Hamilton, SS
Age: 24

Hamilton is a versatile middle infield prospect with advanced plate discipline, strong bat-to-ball skills and plus-plus running ability. He hit .258/.341/.419 across High-A and Double-A in 2021, stealing 52 bases on 61 attempts. He’s versatile in the middle infield with the ability to play an above-average shortstop or second base. He projects long term as a utility player with the ability to provide defensive value, speed and professional at-bats off the bench.