Red Sox Notebook: Former ’13 World Series champ fired by Cubs, three Boston players projected for significant pay bump
The Chicago Cubs made numerous coaching changes this week, and one of them was parting ways with first base coach Mike Napoli, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
“Black Monday around the league for coaches: The Cubs are making several changes, including letting go of first base coach Mike Napoli, hitting coach Jim Adduci, bullpen coach Darren Holmes, and a couple of strength coaches, per sources,” Rogers posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Cubs failed to reach the postseason for the fourth straight year, despite finishing over .500 with an 83-79 record in Craig Counsell’s first season in the Windy City.
The former Red Sox first baseman played in the majors from 2006 to 2017 and was a member of the 2013 Red Sox World Series championship team.
In three years in Boston, Napoli recorded a .242 average with 53 homers, 76 doubles, three triples, 187 RBI, 196 walks, and posted a .785 OPS in 356 games.
Napoli was an All-Star with the Rangers in 2012 and also played for the Angels and Indians during his 11-year playing career. Following his playing career, he joined the Cubs organization in 2019 as a quality assurance coach before he was promoted to first base coach in 2022.
Three Red Sox players projected arbitration salaries released
Three members of the Red Sox roster have their projected arbitration salaries released by MLB Trade Rumors this week.
Pitchers Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, and American League All-Star MVP Jarren Duran are projected for significant raises heading into next season.
All three players are in their first year of arbitration eligibility; Crawford is projected to earn $3.5 million, Houck $4.5 million, and Duran $4.9 million.
Duran will likely finish in the top 10 of the AL MVP voting after leading the majors in doubles (48) and triples (14). He stole 34 bases while batting .285 with a .834 OPS in 160 games. Duran missed two games after he was suspended over the summer for using a homophobic slur during a game.
Houck, a first-time All-Star this season, finished 9-10 with a 3.12 ERA, 3.32 FIP, and a 1.14 WHIP in 30 starts, a career high over 178 2/3 frames.
Crawford led the Red Sox in starts, making 33 and hurling 183 2/3 innings while posting a 4.36 ERA.
Jackie Bradley Jr. on Ceddanne Rafaela: ‘He’s going to be pretty special’
Former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. took an opportunity to speak highly about Ceddanne Rafaela while at Fenway Park on Sunday.
"I haven't gotten to see him in a large quantity," Bradley Jr. told reporters. "I've seen a couple of plays that people will send to me and will tell me about. From what I see, he's going to be pretty special. I'm happy that he was able to sign his deal and hopefully keeps doing his thing."
Bradley Jr., who was known for his incredible defensive, made elite plays in the outfield for the Red Sox. The streaky hitter won a World Series in 2018, where he also took home 2018 ALCS MVP honors as well.
Rafaela grew up a Red Sox fan and watched Bradley Jr. in center field but also was a huge fan of 10-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones.
“He’s from the island, and every kid wants to be Adruw Jones in Curacao and win 10, 12 Gold Gloves,” Rafaela said.
