Red Sox’s Alex Cora Announces Plan For Ceddanne Rafaela

The Boston Red Sox have a surplus of outfielders, but Ceddanne Rafaela’s versatility may be a way to alleviate the logjam. Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony and Rafaela are all capable of being everyday players.

The Red Sox could get all four players in the lineup every day by using Rafaela more on the infield. He won a Gold Glove in center field last season, but has already played second base, shortstop and third base in his young MLB career. However, Alex Cora revealed he wants to keep Rafaela in center field as long as possible.

“He has a lot of value, but he’s elite in center field,” Cora said on Wednesday when asked if he could move Rafaela to the infield, during an appearance on Foul Territory.” “He’s a game changer. The one thing we’re going to challenge with him again is offensively.”

Not only would the Red Sox be losing an elite defensive player in the outfield by moving Rafaela to the infield, but they would also potentially create another logjam. Like in the outfield, the Red Sox have too many mouths to feed in the infield as is.

Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell will need spots moving forward. Campbell was sent down last year, but he has already signed an extension and figures to be a huge part of the team moving forward. However, with Trevor Story expected to stay, Campbell and Mayer may be sharing second base if Alex Bregman also stays in Boston.

Rafaela had stretches of great offense last season, so if he can be more consistent there, he would become a complete player. His defense in center field is second to none, and Cora recognizes that.

However, by sticking with Rafaela in the outfield, the Red Sox will have to make some tough decisions on their other outfielders. Not all four will be able to play every day, so who is the odd man out?