Mariners sign an ex-Blue Jays outfielder who is having a late career resurgence

In recent years, the Seattle Mariners have had the penchant of recruiting players that have previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, either via free agency or trade. Whether it be Jake Lamb, Ryan Borucki, Teoscar Hernández, Taylor Saucedo, Dominic Leone, Trent Thornton, Yimi Garcia, or even Rowdy Tellez, the former Blue Jays have all been a part of the Mariners’ organization during the past four years.

Well, you can add another one to the list now with veteran outfielder Rob Refsnyder signing a one-year, $6.25 million deal with incentives with Seattle on Monday. Refsnyder is actually having a late career resurgence after joining the Boston Red Sox in recent years.

In his most recent season in 2025, he batted a solid .269 with an .838 OPS, along with 29 runs scored, nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 70 games played primarily in a reserve role for the Red Sox.

Mariners sign an ex-Blue Jays outfielder who is having a late career resurgence

Many may have forgotten that Refsnyder was a Blue Jay once upon a time back in 2017. He came to Toronto as part of the trade with the New York Yankees that sent minor league first baseman Ryan McBroom the other way. However, his tenure with the Blue Jays was short-lived as he batted a measly .196 with a .496 OPS, with five runs scored, no home runs or RBIs in 32 games of action down the stretch that season. Refsnyder was ultimately placed on waivers by Toronto and was claimed by the Cleveland Guardians in the subsequent offseason.

But it was not until 2022 when he finally latched on with the Red Sox did his professional baseball career officially take off. Since that year, Refsnyder has posted a combined bWAR of 3.6, along with a plus .800 OPS, all coming after his age-30 season. In his four years with Boston, the versatile outfielder compiled a solid .276 average, .804 OPS, with 117 runs scored, 48 doubles, 27 home runs and 119 RBIs in just 809 total at-bats over 309 games played.

More significantly, Refsnyder has become a notable lefties masher, sporting a career .281 batting average, .826 OPS, with 22 home runs and 95 RBIs in 668 career at-bats against southpaws. In fact, according to MLB.com, he has been among the top five in the league since 2022 when facing left-handed pitching in batting average (.312), on-base percentage (.407) and wRC+ (155). Despite joining a loaded Mariners outfield, Seattle will no doubt find a way to include Refsnyder in the lineup, especially when an opposing lefty takes the mound.

As for the Blue Jays, we had actually previously vouched for a potential reunion with the veteran outfielder this offseason, given his appealing tangibles. But now, we can only hope that Refsnyder doesn’t end up doing a lot of hurt against the team that once gave up on him near the beginning of his career.