MLB Rumors: Brayan Bello, Red Sox Agree to 6-Year, $55M Contract Extension

The Boston Red Sox and starting pitcher Brayan Bello reportedly came terms on a six-year, $55 million contract extension on Thursday.

According to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, the contract also includes a seventh-year club option worth $21 million.

Bello, 24, is set to enter his third MLB season in 2024, and he figures to be a prominent part of Boston's starting rotation.

The Dominican righty made his MLB debut in 2022, appearing in 13 games and making 11 starts. He went 2-8 and posted a 4.71 ERA and 1.77 WHIP with 55 strikeouts over 57.1 innings.

Bello's 2.94 FIP (Field Independent Pitching) as a rookie suggested that he had some bad luck, and that may have been true, as his numbers improved last season.

Starting all 28 of the games he pitched in, Bello won't 12-11 with a 4.24 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 132 strikeouts in 157 innings.

It became apparent last season that Bello was likely going to be a key player for the Red Sox in 2024 and beyond, but some of the organization's moves cemented his status even more.

For starters, the Red Sox traded their longtime ace in Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves this offseason, leaving the rotation without a clear top guy.

Boston signed veteran Lucas Giolito in free agency in hopes that he could replace some of what was lost via Sale's departure, but ESPN's Jeff Passan reported this week that Giolito is believed to have suffered a partially torn UCL and flexor strain, which could cause him to miss the entire 2024 season.

If Giolito is out and the Red Sox don't replace him with one of the top remaining free-agent pitchers such as Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, the No. 1 spot in Boston's starting rotation is up for grabs.

Bello is in the mix for it, as are Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck.

After finishing last in the stacked American League East last season with a 78-84 record and failing to make many major additions this offseason, the Red Sox are not expected to be playoff contenders in 2024.

However, by signing Bello to a long-term extension, they are potentially setting themselves up for future success.