The Boston Red Sox are back to a losing record after falling to their division rival Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
The team has underwhelmed after adding some significant firepower in Alex Bregman, Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler this offseason. And as Boston’s roster falls short of expectations, calls are mounting to bring up some more highly ranked prospect talent.
The team has already called up Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer — two members of its so-called “big three” in leading talent. But they haven’t found a spot for the No. 1-ranked prospect in all of baseball, Roman Anthony.
As Anthony’s addition to the big-league roster appears imminent, Sean McAdam of MassLive has predicted the Red Sox will make room by benching a versatile outfielder.
“It seems inevitable that, eventually, Ceddanne Rafaela will be the odd-man-out in the Red Sox’ outfield puzzle as the team finds room for Roman Anthony,” McAdam wrote. “I get that. Rafael hasn’t made the strides the team had hoped offensively.”
Rafaela has enjoyed several highlight-worthy defensive plays for the Red Sox so far this season. But after signing a $50 million extension with the team last year, he has slashed just .220/.275/.327 with 36 strikeouts and 37 hits so far this year.
Meanwhile, Anthony is slashing .321/.453/.518 in Triple-A so far this season. And as the Red Sox look for another jolt before it’s too late, it seems moving Rafaela would be the best way to get him onto the big-league roster.
Still, the Red Sox would be losing one of the best defenders in all of baseball with such a move.
“But I’ll miss watching him play center — which he does brilliantly, and seemingly effortlessly,” McAdam added.
One of Rafaela’s most valuable characteristics is his versatility and the Red Sox would be able to find some consistent playing time for him even with Anthony taking on an everyday outfield role.
