Red Sox extend Rafaela on 8-year deal reportedly worth $50M

The Boston Red Sox locked up another piece of their young core, agreeing to an eight-year extension with outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, the team announced.

His deal is worth $50 million, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.

The contract will delay Rafaela's free agency until after the 2031 season.

Rafaela, ranked as Boston's No. 4 prospect by MLB.com, made his major-league debut last August. The 23-year-old won this year's Opening Day center-field job thanks to a stellar performance in spring training.

Over his first 10 games of 2024, Rafaela is hitting .233/.286/.400 with five RBIs and a stolen base.

The Red Sox originally signed the Curacao native in 2017 as an infielder. He began transitioning to center field three years ago. Rafaela, who's made a few cameos in the infield since arriving in the majors, could be an occasionally versatile piece for manager Alex Cora.