Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello agreed to terms on a six-year, $55 million extension, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.
Per The Boston Globe, the deal includes a $21 million club option for a seventh season.
Bello said he wasn’t permitted to comment on the deal itself but didn’t mind sharing the timing of his first public comments on the imminent contract.
“I can tell you that we might have some good news during the weekend in the Dominican Republic. It’s gonna be great,” Bello told MLB.com of a planned press conference during the Red Sox-Rays two-game series this weekend. “I’m going to be able to spend time with my family and with my fans in the Dominican Republic and I’m sure we’re going to have a good time.”
The reported contract comes on the heels of Red Sox offseason acquisition Lucas Giolito’s potential season-ending injury. ESPN reported Tuesday that initial imaging revealed a partially torn UCL and flexor strain in his pitching elbow.
Bello, who turns 25 in May, posted a 12-11 record with a 4.24 ERA in 28 games (all starts) last season. He struck out 132 batters in 157 innings but gave up 24 home runs.
That’s still an improvement from his first season with Boston in 2022. He was 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 13 games (11 starts).
“He’s an exciting, young starting pitcher that was acquired and developed internally. I think he embodies exactly what we’re trying to do,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said recently, per The Globe.
“We still think that his best years are ahead of him. We recognize some opportunities to further optimize the repertoire and we’re super excited about having him.”
–Field Level Media