The Red Sox made it abundantly clear Thursday that pitcher Brayan Bello is part of their long-term plans.
Boston signed Bello to a six-year contract extension that begins this season and runs through 2029. The deal, which the Red Sox announced, also includes a club option for 2030.
Bello, who turns 25 in May, made his MLB debut in 2022 after a rapid rise up Boston's prospect rankings. The right-hander then blossomed into a legitimate big-league hurler in 2023, finishing the year with a 12-11 record and a 4.24 ERA in 28 starts (157 innings).
Financial terms of Bello's extension were not disclosed, but previous reports indicated the deal would guarantee him $55 million. The team option for 2030 reportedly is worth $21 million.
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The Red Sox didn't need to lock up Bello to a long-term extension this offseason, as the 24-year-old already was under club control through 2028. But the move gives Boston more cost certainty, securing Bello for an additional year plus the club option -- at rates that could prove team-friendly if he continues his current trajectory.
It's no small financial investment for a pitcher with just 214 1/3 MLB innings under his belt, especially when you factor in the ebbs and flows of his first professional season. Bello clearly has a ton of upside, though, and this gives the Red Sox some much-needed stability as they retool their rotation.
Featured image via Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports Images
