Mookie Betts isn’t putting the cart before the horse.
The Boston Red Sox, in theory, could pursue a contract extension with Betts in the not-so-distant future, much like the Miami Marlins did with 23-year-old outfielder Christian Yelich. Betts told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford on Wednesday, however, that he hasn’t yet had any discussions with the Red Sox regarding a potential extension.
“That’s a tough question. I don’t really know,” Betts told Bradford with regard to his approach to agreeing to an extension. “I think I would weigh my options and see what’s best for me with what’s best for the team. It’s kind of a mutual thing. It has to be fair and something that would give me some stability and not have to worry about it. It just depends on how things play out.
“I still have to go out there and play and get to that point. I’m not there yet so I haven’t had a whole lot of time to think about it.”
It’s unsurprising that Betts’ focus remains on the field rather than on any looming contract negotiations. The 22-year-old is less than one year removed from his major league debut, has only 52 games of big league experience and currently is trying to secure the Red Sox’s starting center field job over Rusney Castillo and Jackie Bradley Jr. Clearly, there’s a lot on Betts’ plate.
That said, a potential contract extension is an interesting proposition. Yelich, who reportedly just signed a seven-year, $49.5 million deal with Miami, still is very young in his career, and the Marlins aren’t the first team to go out of their way to lock up an up-and-coming franchise cornerstone.
A major league source told Bradford the Red Sox have at least internally discussed the possibility of exploring a contract extension with Betts some time in the semi-near future.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
