Red Sox Rumors: Ceddanne Rafaela to Sign 8-Year, $50M Contract; Team's No. 4 Prospect

The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a contract extension with center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand added that the deal is for eight years and $50 million. It will keep him in Boston through 2031.

Rafaela, 23, is Boston's No. 4 prospect. He has appeared in all 10 games for the Red Sox this season, notching seven hits and five RBI in 30 plate appearances. In his big league debut last season, Rafaela had 20 hits, six RBI and two home runs in 28 games, recording a .241 batting average.

Rafaela spent most of last season in the minors, where he notched 134 hits, 79 RBI and 20 home runs with a .302 batting average.

Rafaela's contract extension comes after the Red Sox already secured another top prospect on a long-term deal.

In March, Boston signed right-handed starting pitcher Brayan Bello to a six-year, $55 million deal. The 24-year-old, in his third season with the Red Sox, has picked up eight strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA across 10 innings this season. Last year, in his second season with the Red Sox, Bello had 132 strikeouts and a 4.24 ERA in 157 innings pitched.

Now having extended some young, promising talent, Boston is looking for a big season. The Red Sox are off to a 7-3 start and will face the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game home series this week.

Boston has missed the postseason the last two years, but a hot start to the season seems to indicate a turnaround is coming.