After just 41 appearances (39 starts) in the major leagues, Red Sox starter Brayan Bello has shown himself as a major league player, as evidenced by his signing of a six-year, $55 million contract deal.
The 24-year-old, however, sees the agreement as only one accomplishment on a long list of professional objectives rather than the pinnacle of his job.
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At a news conference held on Saturday at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in his home Dominican Republic, Bello listed some of the things he is looking forward to doing while wearing a Red Sox uniform.
“It’s a big step for me to sign a contract, but that’s already on the side,” Bello said via interpreter Carlos Villoria Benítez. “My next objectives are to maintain my health and prepare for my squad. Of course, you have aspirations to win 20 games or more, be an All-Star, win the Cy Young Award, and, ideally, be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I constantly have those objectives in mind. I put a lot of effort into it.
He continued, “I know I need to keep getting better.” “I am aware that I must continue to improve. Although I understand that this is a significant step for me in my profession, I still feel like I have a lot more to give and a long way to go.
Nevertheless, Bello was in a festive mood, as was Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, along with a number of teammates and coaches in attendance at Bello’s press conference on Saturday. The Red Sox were happy to secure Bello’s services for a further two years through his age-31 season, as they have struggled for the most of the past ten years to sign young, talented players to long-term contracts. Bello was pleased to have financial stability and make a 2030 commitment to the Red Sox. The fact that the parties could discuss it in Bello’s native nation barely two days after announcing the pact added to the occasion’s specialness. The coincidence of scheduling aligned with Boston’s two-game exhibition series this weekend in Santo Domingo against the Rays.
Bello remarked, “To be able to do this here in front of my family and friends makes me extremely happy and grateful.”
In an attempt to establish a foundation of talent in Boston, Breslow has frequently discussed the need of recruiting homegrown talents early in their careers since taking over in late October. Since 2011, Bello’s contract is the only one the Red Sox have offered to a player with fewer than three years of major league service time (pre-arbitration). As Breslow and his lieutenants continue to assemble what they believe will be the Red Sox’s championship core going forward, this is a significant step.
Breslow stated, “It’s really important in my opinion.” We really try to make it such that players want to stay here since this is a very memorable day. Players who can succeed in Boston and who also wish to live here for an extended period of time are vital to our chances of success. The amount of teammates and coaches that turned out to take part in this, as you can see by looking across the room, is evidence of the kind of leader and teammate Brayan is. We want to hold onto this kind of individual for as long as possible.
Breslow declared, “The entire organization should celebrate this day.” “Brayan is the epitome of everything the Boston Red Sox stand for. He’s an excellent teammate. He works extremely hard and strives to improve every day. He is curious, humble, and has an open mind. Above all, he is passionate about this game and this organization, which brings him delight.