Brayan Bello, a right-hander, has agreed to a six-year contract deal with the Boston Red Sox worth $55 million, according to sources.
The agreement also contains salary escalators, a $1 million signing bonus, and a $21 million seventh-year club option.
Renowned for his potent changeup, Bello enjoyed a prosperous debut Major League season with a 4.24 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 157 innings pitched.
Bello, who has a strong ground-ball inclination and a sinker from the mid-1990s, has been a standout performer for the Red Sox.
He will have long-term security and cost stability during his arbitration years thanks to the extension.
Since the Red Sox have had difficulty producing starting pitchers in recent years, Bello’s rise has been encouraging for the team.
For many years to come, Bello is anticipated to be a vital component of the team’s rotation.
The Red Sox have few alternatives for their rotation even though their farm system is full of talented hitters.
Wikelman Gonzalez, Luis Perales, and David Sandlin are right-handers who could end up becoming rotation mainstays in the future.
The Red Sox will probably add to their starting depth in the near future through trade and free agency.
The front-runners to join Bello in Boston’s rotation are right-handers Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta, and Garrett Whitlock.
