Bello plans to validate $55 million extension
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — One after another, Brayan Bello’s Red Sox teammates, coaches, members of the front office, family members, and key influences in his baseball upbringing filed in to the small interview room at Quisqueya Stadium on Saturday to celebrate the pitcher’s new contract. As everybody — including the shimmering David Ortiz — waited for Bello’s arrival, the event had the feel of a wedding.
In a way, that was appropriate. Bello’s now-official six-year, $55 million deal from 2024-29, which includes a $21 million team option for 2030, represents a commitment by both player and team to a shared future.
“This is a day that should be celebrated by the entire organization. Brayan embodies everything that we value at the Boston Red Sox,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said. “Above all else, he has a passion and joy and a love for this game and for this organization. And that is why we are so excited to see Brayan in a Red Sox uniform well into the future.”
While the deal offers Bello, who signed out of the Dominican as an 18-year-old for $28,000, and his family a lifetime of security, he insisted that it would not diminish his hunger for excellence.
In 2023, Bello’s first full season in the big leagues, he achieved one goal of making the Opening Day roster, and delivered a solid campaign (12-11, 4.24 ERA, an above-average 107 ERA+, 20 percent strikeout rate in 157 innings over 28 starts). But the righthander believes he is capable of much more.
“I know I’m at a high level but I can keep improving . . . Like I said before I signed my contract, [the deal] was one big step in my career, but that’s already [pushed to] the side,” Bello said through translator Carlos Villoria-Benítez. “My next goals are just to stay healthy, be ready for my team. Obviously you have some goals, such as be a Cy Young, be an All-Star, and down the line, win 20 games or more, and hopefully [be] a Hall of Famer.”
While such ambitions are lofty, Sox third baseman Rafael Devers identified some similarities and a Hall of Famer with whom the young righthander has worked for several offseasons.
“I didn’t see Pedro [Martinez] much, but I feel like [Bello] has that natural swag, that natural presence on the mound that can’t compare with anybody else. It’s natural,” Devers, via Villoria-Benítez, said of his fellow native of Samaná. “The way that he walks, the way he pitches, I feel like every time he pitches, I’m watching Pedro Martinez.”
Ambassador Devers
Devers embraced his role as host to his teammates, organizing a dinner for several of them as well as showing them meaning locales in his upbringing.
“I’ve tried to show all my teammates the Dominican culture,” Devers said. “I went out with my teammates [Friday] to dinner. I also took a few of my teammates to where I’m from, where I was born, where I was raised. It was something really nice for me to show my teammates where I actually come from. They will have a knowledge of all these places where I’m from. I’m very happy about that. I’m very proud of that as well.”
Alex Cora marveled at the multifaceted role Devers was playing on the trip, suggesting he wouldn’t be capable of such a thing if he was ever the manager of a team for an exhibition game in his native Puerto Rico.
“He’s showing his teammates what the Dominican Republic is,” Cora said. “Sometimes when they start talking about all these international trips, sometimes I hate to hear San Juan when I’m managing the team because it’s too much, to be honest with you.”
Devers started at third in the 4-0 exhibition win over the Rays and will be the designated hitter Sunday — an acknowledgment of the rare opportunity presented to play in front of friends and family, including his grandparents, whom Devers said had never seen him play in person in a Red Sox uniform.
“I’m super happy, super grateful to be here,” said Devers, who was playing in the Dominican for the first time since he suited for winter ball in 2016 for Escogido. “I’m excited to have people here that haven’t seen me play in a big league uniform.”
Devers wasn’t the only one hosting Red Sox festivities. Principal owner (and Globe owner)
John Henry docked his yacht near the Zona Colonial for a team party Friday.
“Spring training can be very boring or repetitive,” Cora said. “To come here and have a blast, it was good for the group. Last night, had dinners all over the city and that really helps, too.
It’s not only about [fielding drills] and batting practice, the other part of [spring training] is chemistry and getting to know your teammates. Although we don’t have the whole group, this group is having fun.”
Martin stops short
Chris Martin was scheduled to throw a live batting practice Saturday morning at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Fla. However, after just a couple of warmup pitches on Field 1, the reliever walked off the mound alongside some of his teammates and staff members.
The Sox said Martin experienced tightness in his right groin, and for precautionary reasons, the throwing session was halted.
“Nothing with his arm,” Cora said. “We’ll see how he feels in the upcoming days.”
Martin has yet to pitch in game action this spring. The righthander posted a 1.05 ERA in 51‚ innings last season.
Medical updates
Outfielder Tyler O’Neill (calf ) is hoping to return to the lineup Monday, the same day first baseman C.J. Cron will make his Red Sox debut at Fenway South against the Pirates . . . Vaughn Grissom (left groin) is improving but the second baseman has not been cleared for baseball activities . . . Reliever Zack Kelly (oblique) likewise hasn’t started been cleared for baseball activities, while starter Lucas Giolito (partially torn UCL) will get a second opinion Monday.
Julian McWilliams of the Globe staff contributed to this report from Fort Myers, Fla. Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com.