The Boston Red Sox have recently locked up a few of their core players for the future, and there will be no more developments on that front, according to a report.
The Sox announced a contract extension with ace Chris Sale last week. Then came the news on Sunday night that they had also gotten close to finalizing a deal with Xander Bogaerts. The timing of the Bogaerts extension was a surprise given the news came in the first week of the season despite the Sox’s desire to avoid negotiating during the year.
Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski told the Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato that they are done with extensions this season.
“No, I am pretty certain,” Dombrowski told Mastrodonato. “We have no ongoing conversations.”
The reason for avoiding contract talks during the season is they don’t want players distracted by off-field matters. That is why it’s so common for extensions to be negotiated and agreed upon before the season begins.
Now that Sale and Bogaerts are locked up, the Red Sox need to worry about whether JD Martinez opts out and whether they can re-sign Mookie Betts before he hits free agency. Rick Porcello is also set to be a free agent, and it seems like they are willing to let him walk.
