The Boston Red Sox just lost Lucas Giolito, the only free-agent pitcher they had signed this offseason, to an elbow injury.
They also traded Chris Sale and let James Paxton go via free agency, so yes: there is a hole in their rotation.
While they look for several different avenues to fill the staff with quality arms, they are reportedly close to extending one of their best young pitchers: Brayan Bello.
“The Red Sox and Brayan Bello are in ‘advanced talks’ on a long-term extension, per @alexspeier,” B/R Walk-Off tweeted.
The Red Sox and Brayan Bello are in ‘advanced talks’ on a long-term extension, per @alexspeier pic.twitter.com/GBDE1ZxVoD
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) March 6, 2024
When two parties are in “advanced talks” it usually means the framework of the deal is close to being finalized and a deal could be announced shortly.
The move doesn’t really make much of a difference on the 2024 Red Sox, but the future Red Sox will definitely appreciate it.
Bello broke out with a solid 2023 campaign, in which he had a 4.24 ERA in 157 innings.
He walked 45 hitters and struck out 132.
He must have felt the rigors of the long season because his numbers got worse as the year went on.
Up until July 14, he had a 3.14 ERA.
However, from that point on, he posted a 5.58 ERA in 71 frames.
It’s nothing that he can’t overcome once his arm gets used to starting pitching workloads in MLB.
He is still one of the most promising arms in the American League, and the Red Sox are making sure he stays with them for the long haul.
For now, there are no details about the framework of the deal, but keeping him around is huge for Boston.
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