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MLB·ANALYSIS·July 16, 2026 08:03 AM ET

Rafaela challenges Breslow to buy at deadline after mentor meeting with Andruw Jones

Chapman becomes 7th Cuban to play in an All-Star Game, breaking the record

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 161 min read
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What happened: Ceddanne Rafaela spent over an hour with Andruw Jones in Philadelphia during All-Star week and said he trusts Craig Breslow's front office to add pieces before the trade deadline. In the ninth inning, Aroldis Chapman became the seventh Cuban-born player to appear in an All-Star Game, breaking the previous record.

Why it matters: Rafaela's comments reflect a shift inside the Red Sox clubhouse: after a 14-2 run, talk of selling at the deadline has given way to players pushing the front office to buy. Jones, a fellow Curacaoan center fielder, said he likes what he sees in Rafaela's game and called him a future star.

By the numbers: Cuban-born players made up 25% of this year's All-Star Game field compared to 5% of all major leaguers, per the report.

What to watch: Watch Boston's activity ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, plus recovery updates on Trevor Story, Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

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MLBAnalysisBoston Red SoxCeddanne RafaelaAndruw Jones
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