The Boston Red Sox are celebrating Opening Day at Fenway Park Tuesday, as well as mourning the loss of shortstop Trevor Story. According to multiple reports, the team has also agreed to a long-term extension with one of its more promising rookies.
Sitting second in the American League East with a 7-3 record, the Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to an eight-year, $50 million contract extension with centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela.
Rafaela is just 38 games into his MLB career.
While the Boston Red Sox started David Hamilton at shortstop Tuesday, but may also have plans to move Rafaela to the position after word that Story is likely lost for the season with a shoulder injury.
Boston Red Sox Have Locked Up Two Young Talents
With word of Rafaela’s extension, the Boston Red Sox have locked up two of the team’s young talents to long-term deals. This spring, the organization also inked pitcher Brayan Bello to a six-year, $55 million deal.
Rafaela is 23 years old, and Bello is 24. Bello debuted with Beantown last August, while Rafaela secured the team’s center field job in spring training.
A native of Curacao, Rafaela was ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the organization this spring. In 10 games entering Tuesday, he is hitting .233 with two triples, six runs, and five RBIs.
Rafaela may play SS for Boston Red Sox
Rafaela has started all 10 games in center for the Boston Red Sox this season. Yet, he may be soon to move to the infield — at least temporarily.
The story is out for the next six months due to a shoulder injury suffered against the Los Angeles Angels on April 5. The Boston Red Sox have made due so far in his absence. However, it has been suggested that Rafaela may move to the position.
Rafaela played the middle infield as well as outfield during his time in the minors. He also started five games for the big-league club during his 28-game 2023 debut. The Boston Red Sox hope to have winning baseball at Fenway again soon through players like him.
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
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