Red Sox In "Deep Talks" for Major Contract Extension

With the barrage of bad news coming out of the Boston Red Sox' spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla., a glimmer of hope could be emerging. Per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox and 24-year-old starter Brayan Bello "are deep in talks about a long-term deal to keep him with the team beyond 2028."

"According to multiple industry sources, Red Sox righthander Brayan Bello is in advanced talks about an agreement on a long-term deal with the Red Sox. The deal would keep Bello with the team beyond 2028, when he would first be eligible for free agency."

- Alex Speier of The Boston Globe

With ownership's clear aversion to paying up for outside talent, it is a welcome sign that they may be willing to at least open up the checkbook for homegrown talent. However, after an offseason full of some sort of weird half-hearted dance around Jordan Montgomery, that credit can wait until pen is actually put to paper. Under former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox placed more emphasis on re-stocking young in-house talent and enriching a farm system that was barren when Bloom inherited it. Extending developed talent like Bello would be the obvious next step of that progression.

The weight on Bello's shoulders could be even heavier in 2024 with offseason free-agent acquisition Lucas Giolito possibly done for the year. Giolito will receive a second opinion on Monday before a final determination is made regarding his status for the upcoming season.

Bello had stated earlier in the offseason that he is aiming to start the Red Sox' Opening Day matchup in Seattle on March 28, and Giolito's injury could certainly increase his odds.

This offseason, Bello worked with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox star Pedro Martinez in their native Dominican Republic, particularly accentuating Bello's slider to round out his arsenal. The youngster's fastball and change-up are plus pitches, but his slider has been the clear weakness within his repertoire. If he is able to elevate his slider to a plus pitch, then Bello's performance on the rubber should reap the rewards.

Although he has failed to put together a true standout wire-to-wire campaign, Bello has flashed and showcased the potential that both Red Sox fans and staff are high on. From April 29 to July 14, Bello appeared in 13 games, worked at least five innings in each outing, and never allowed more than three runs in an outing. Across that 13-game stretch, he posted a 2.51 ERA and took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins on June 29.

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