Red Sox Extend Pitcher Brayan Bello with Six-Year, $55 Million Deal

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07/03/2024 20h26

According to a source involved in the negotiations, the deal is worth $55 million over six years, with a seventh-year club option.

The Red Sox have historically struggled with developing homegrown starting pitchers, but Bello has emerged as a promising talent. Since his debut in 2022, the 25-year-old Dominican player has showcased his abilities with a 4.37 ERA in 41 games across 39 starts. In his first full season last year, Bello boasted an impressive 3.57 ERA in 23 starts before encountering some difficulties in September.

Bello's rise in the organization, including his offseason training with pitching legend Pedro Martinez in the Dominican Republic, has made him a valuable asset. The Red Sox have been eager to secure their first homegrown starting pitcher since the days of Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. Therefore, signing Bello to a contract extension became a priority.

Fenway Sports Group CEO Sam Kennedy had previously mentioned their intentions to extend contracts with young players, emphasizing the importance of building for the future. Assistant general manager Eddie Romero also expressed the team's desire to work out a long-term deal with Bello, highlighting his contributions both on and off the field.

Bello, who was originally under contract until 2028, is now locked in until 2029 with an additional team option for 2030. The deal ensures that the Red Sox have secured the services of one of their promising pitchers for the foreseeable future. Although Bello's contract is the second largest pre-arbitration deal for a pitcher, behind Spencer Strider's six-year, $75 million agreement with the Atlanta Braves, it reflects the team's faith in his potential.

The Red Sox are believed to have used the Cincinnati Reds' six-year, $53 million deal with Hunter Greene as a benchmark for Bello's extension. The club's proactive approach in securing young talent demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a competitive roster in the coming years.

With the Dominican Republic exhibition series against the Tampa Bay Rays on the horizon, the Red Sox can now focus on their upcoming challenges with confidence, knowing that they have a promising pitcher in Bello bolstering their rotation.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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