Red Sox GM taken aback by report of rift between Cespedes, coaches

Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington did his part Friday afternoon to dispel a recent report suggesting a rift between outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and the club's coaching staff.

An October report in the New York Daily News cited a Red Sox insider who said "all the coaches hate" Cespedes, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics at the non-waiver trade deadline. Shortly after the report was published, manager John Farrell described the claims as "unfounded," but Cherington went so far as to suggest the coaches are actually fond of the 29-year-old.

Cherington also tried to downplay the rumor that the Red Sox will look to trade Cespedes this winter in an effort to address their surplus of outfielders. Cespedes has just one season remaining on his contract and will likely pursue a lucrative, multi-year deal next winter, something the Red Sox likely won't be willing to offer.