Latest news with #Rafaela
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela Breaks Silence on Unwanted Move
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Red Sox have managed to replace Rafael Devers in the lineup as they hit the All-Star break on a surprising 10-game win streak. And perhaps no player has stepped up as well as Ceddanne Rafaela, who has performed as one of the best center fielders in the American League since Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants. Making all of his starts this season at center field, Rafaela had raised his slash line to a career high .271/.314/.483 this year. But the team moved him to second base for the first time this season for Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. And after the game he spoke out about that change to note that he prefers playing in the outfield. "I really want to see what I can do playing center field," Rafaela said, according to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. "I'll play wherever the team needs me. But I think I'm best in center." BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo... BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by) More Rutherford/Getty When asked how good he thinks he could be if he only played center field, Rafaela responded, "you tell me," per Abraham. Rafaela went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's game, but it seems likely that the Red Sox will get a bigger sample size on his production from the keystone after the All-Star break. Infielders Alex Bregman and Romy Gonzalez have been banged up and the team has a bit of a logjam in the outfield, so Rafaela could be called upon to man second about once a week going forward. But as he enjoys a torrid streak at the plate, any change could be a cause for concern that his offensive production might come to an end. "Ideally the Sox would leave Rafaela in center and let him cook," Abraham added. "He's one of the best players in the game right now, don't change a thing." Unfortunately, the Red Sox roster has necessitated a change for Rafaela. But he could very well keep up his offensive pace while displaying some valuable defensive versatility as well. More MLB: Red Sox Predicted to Swing 2 Blockbuster Trades for $100M All-Star, $63M Pitcher
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
A mix of youth and chemistry has Red Sox rolling into All-Star break on 10-game winning streak
BOSTON — Many of the Boston Red Sox players started wearing T-shirts during batting practice and in the clubhouse the past week with a quote from teammate Romy Gonzalez written across the front. It says: 'Tremendously locked in.' They certainly look that way heading into the All-Star break. On Sunday, Ceddanne Rafaela hit a two-run homer and the Red Sox (53-45) posted their 10th straight victory with a 4-1, series-sweeping win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. 'There's two things: We're young and we're athletic and that doesn't slump to be honest with you,' said manager Alex Cora, who reminded some of his younger players to lead with energy in late May. 'I talked to some of the kids in Atlanta and their job is to, of course, play as hard as you can,' he said. 'I told them: 'There's no excuse for you guys not bringing the energy every single day. It starts in the clubhouse with the music.'' The 24-year-old Rafaela has joined three rookies: infielder Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Carlos Narváez to give the Red Sox a jolt of successful youth leading them into the break. Following a series-opening loss in New York on June 6, the Red Sox dropped to 10 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees. Now, just over a month later, they're a game behind them for second place, trailing the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. 'It's been fun the last 10 days,' said Rafaela, who is hitting .421 with five homers and 15 RBIs during a career-best 10-game hitting streak. 'Yes, we've been winning and it's always good to win,' he said. 'I think it's the most fun I've (ever) had.' Veteran Trevor Story, who had struggled during three-injury plagued seasons with the Red Sox after signing a six-year, $140-million contract as a free agent in March 2022, has picked it up by playing solid defense at short with timely hitting. 'We're playing well,' Cora said. 'Trevor and Rafaela have been amazing.' The streak comes less than a month after Boston shipped Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Story sees the club believing it has finally found its stride. 'I think we have more of an identity now,' he said. 'We're starting to believe that I think we can win in different ways. Like we've shown in this 10-gamer, we can slug, or we can win one-run games, we can steal bases. I think playing good defense is a good part of that. I think it all starts with the pitching, which has been lights out.' The pitching has been led by All-Star Garrett Crochet, who posted his first complete game, shutting out the Rays on Saturday. 'Yeah, energy, chemistry,' Cora said. 'Winning's better that losing. We're excited about going to the ballpark.'
3 days ago
- Sport
Mix of youth and chemistry has Red Sox rolling into All-Star break on 10-game streak
BOSTON -- Many of the Boston Red Sox players started wearing T-shirts during batting practice and in the clubhouse the past week with a quote from teammate Romy Gonzalez written across the front. It says: 'Tremendously locked in.' They certainly look that way heading into the All-Star break. On Sunday, Ceddanne Rafaela hit a two-run homer and the Red Sox (53-45) posted their 10th straight victory with a 4-1, series-sweeping win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. 'There's two things: We're young and we're athletic and that doesn't slump to be honest with you,' said manager Alex Cora, who reminded some of his younger players to lead with energy in late May. 'I talked to some of the kids in Atlanta and their job is to, of course, play as hard as you can,' he said. 'I told them: 'There's no excuse for you guys not bringing the energy every single day. It starts in the clubhouse with the music.'' The 24-year-old Rafaela has joined three rookies: infielder Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Carlos Narváez to give the Red Sox a jolt of successful youth leading them into the break. Following a series-opening loss in New York on June 6, the Red Sox dropped to 10 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees. Now, just over a month later, they're a game behind them for second place, trailing the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. 'It's been fun the last 10 days,' said Rafaela, who is hitting .421 with five homers and 15 RBIs during a career-best 10-game hitting streak. 'Yes, we've been winning and it's always good to win,' he said. 'I think it's the most fun I've (ever) had.' Veteran Trevor Story, who had struggled during three-injury plagued seasons with the Red Sox after signing a six-year, $140-million contract as a free agent in March 2022, has picked it up by playing solid defense at short with timely hitting. 'We're playing well,' Cora said. 'Trevor and Rafaela have been amazing.' The streak comes less than a month after Boston shipped Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Story sees the club believing it has finally found its stride. 'I think we have more of an identity now,' he said. 'We're starting to believe that I think we can win in different ways. Like we've shown in this 10-gamer, we can slug, or we can win one-run games, we can steal bases. I think playing good defense is a good part of that. I think it all starts with the pitching, which has been lights out.' 'Yeah, energy, chemistry,' Cora said. 'Winning's better that losing. We're excited about going to the ballpark.'
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
A mix of youth and chemistry has Red Sox rolling into All-Star break on 10-game winning streak
BOSTON (AP) — Many of the Boston Red Sox players started wearing T-shirts during batting practice and in the clubhouse the past week with a quote from teammate Romy Gonzalez written across the front. It says: 'Tremendously locked in.' They certainly look that way heading into the All-Star break. On Sunday, Ceddanne Rafaela hit a two-run homer and the Red Sox (53-45) posted their 10th straight victory with a 4-1, series-sweeping win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. 'There's two things: We're young and we're athletic and that doesn't slump to be honest with you,' said manager Alex Cora, who reminded some of his younger players to lead with energy in late May. 'I talked to some of the kids in Atlanta and their job is to, of course, play as hard as you can,' he said. 'I told them: 'There's no excuse for you guys not bringing the energy every single day. It starts in the clubhouse with the music.'' The 24-year-old Rafaela has joined three rookies: infielder Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Carlos Narváez to give the Red Sox a jolt of successful youth leading them into the break. Following a series-opening loss in New York on June 6, the Red Sox dropped to 10 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees. Now, just over a month later, they're a game behind them for second place, trailing the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. 'It's been fun the last 10 days,' said Rafaela, who is hitting .421 with five homers and 15 RBIs during a career-best 10-game hitting streak. 'Yes, we've been winning and it's always good to win,' he said. 'I think it's the most fun I've (ever) had.' Veteran Trevor Story, who had struggled during three-injury plagued seasons with the Red Sox after signing a six-year, $140-million contract as a free agent in March 2022, has picked it up by playing solid defense at short with timely hitting. 'We're playing well,' Cora said. 'Trevor and Rafaela have been amazing.' The streak comes less than a month after Boston shipped Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Story sees the club believing it has finally found its stride. 'I think we have more of an identity now,' he said. 'We're starting to believe that I think we can win in different ways. Like we've shown in this 10-gamer, we can slug, or we can win one-run games, we can steal bases. I think playing good defense is a good part of that. I think it all starts with the pitching, which has been lights out.' 'Yeah, energy, chemistry,' Cora said. 'Winning's better that losing. We're excited about going to the ballpark.' ___
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
A mix of youth and chemistry has Red Sox rolling into All-Star break on 10-game winning streak
Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Many of the Boston Red Sox players started wearing T-shirts during batting practice and in the clubhouse the past week with a quote from teammate Romy Gonzalez written across the front. It says: 'Tremendously locked in.' They certainly look that way heading into the All-Star break. On Sunday, Ceddanne Rafaela hit a two-run homer and the Red Sox (53-45) posted their 10th straight victory with a 4-1, series-sweeping win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. 'There's two things: We're young and we're athletic and that doesn't slump to be honest with you,' said manager Alex Cora, who reminded some of his younger players to lead with energy in late May. 'I talked to some of the kids in Atlanta and their job is to, of course, play as hard as you can,' he said. 'I told them: 'There's no excuse for you guys not bringing the energy every single day. It starts in the clubhouse with the music.'' The 24-year-old Rafaela has joined three rookies: infielder Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Carlos Narvaez to give the Red Sox a jolt of successful youth leading them into the break. Following a series-opening loss in New York on June 6, the Red Sox dropped to 10 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees. Now, just over a month later, they're a game behind them for second place, trailing the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. 'It's been fun the last 10 days,' said Rafaela, who is hitting .421 with five homers and 15 RBIs during a career-best 10-game hitting streak. 'Yes, we've been winning and it's always good to win,' he said. 'I think it's the most fun I've (ever) had.' Veteran Trevor Story, who had struggled during three-injury plagued seasons with the Red Sox after signing a six-year, $140-million contract as a free agent in March 2022, has picked it up by playing solid defense at short with timely hitting. 'We're playing well,' Cora said. 'Trevor and Rafaela have been amazing.' The streak comes less than a month after Boston shipped Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Story sees the club believing it has finally found its stride. 'I think we have more of an identity now,' he said. 'We're starting to believe that I think we can win in different ways. Like we've shown in this 10-gamer, we can slug, or we can win one-run games, we can steal bases. I think playing good defense is a good part of that. I think it all starts with the pitching, which has been lights out.' The pitching has been led by All-Star Garrett Crochet, who posted his first complete game, shutting out the Rays on Saturday. 'Yeah, energy, chemistry,' Cora said. 'Winning's better that losing. We're excited about going to the ballpark.' ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
