With their agreement on Wednesday, the Red Sox and Ceddanne Rafaela extended their contract by eight years, keeping the rookie center fielder in Boston until 2031. The deal’s terms were not disclosed, but according to a source who spoke with MLB.com, it is for $50 million and has a 2032 club option.
Rafaela’s contract with the Red Sox was signed on the day he completed just 49 days of Major League service, making it a special agreement.
It’s enormous, Rafaela remarked. “The organization has consistently demonstrated their faith in my abilities on the field, and I feel pretty good about the confidence they have in me.”
Rafaela, an offensive prospect and defensive standout in center field, has extended his contract, adding more impetus to the team’s professed goal of signing its young core players to long-term deals.
Starting pitcher Brayan Bello, who should remain in Boston through 2030, was signed by the Sox in March to a six-year, $55 million contract with a seven-year option.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stated, “I think it’s a really exciting moment for us, for the organization, and for Ceddanne and his family.” We had a similar discussion regarding Brayan and what we hoped was a developing pattern approximately a month ago.
“I believe it speaks to the excitement we have around our players and the many people who contributed to this moment, from scouting and the acquisition group to player development to the staff here that continues to develop him,” the player said of being able to sit here and announce a second agreement with another cornerstone player who was developed internally.
During Spring Training, the seedlings for the Bello and Rafaela extensions were sown. Breslow doesn’t anticipate any additional extensions to the team’s youthful core in the upcoming weeks, given the season is already well underway.
Breslow stated that it is “impossible to handicap perfectly what the chances are of getting another deal across the line.” “I wouldn’t say that anything seems especially close at this time. And yes, I believe there comes a time to turn our attention to the season in order to provide players with some clarity regarding their daily goals and to allow us to take a broader look at our goals and vision. Therefore, while I wouldn’t say never, I believe it’s doubtful.
After finishing third in the American League’s Rookie of the Year vote, first baseman Triston Casas would seem to be the next obvious player the team should sign. In the past few weeks, there have been some discussions, but nothing has come close.
“I adore the structure,” Casas remarked. “I adore every aspect of this place. I want to spend a lot of time here. When it comes to monetary values, I’m not sure where my team countered with their initial offer. I requested my team not to keep me updated on any discussions during the season, so I have no idea what has been discussed further or is now underway.”
Rafaela was given a challenge by Red Sox manager Alex Cora to earn a spot in center field going into Spring Training rather than returning to Triple-A to gain more experience.
Rafaela, who is from Curaçao, completed the task successfully. He will now make an effort to justify the organization’s faith in him.
Rafaela stated, “When you say security, it feels like it’s enough, but it’s not.” “I believe I still have a great deal of work ahead of me, including winning this World Series. That, I believe, is the primary objective, and the reason I’m here.
