Mookie Betts Deal Won't Impact Astros' Talks With George Springer

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(SportsRadio 610) -- With Mookie Betts signing an extension with the Dodgers to pay him $392 million over the next 13 years, Astros outfielder George Springer may be the most sought-after free agent of 2021. 

The Astros would like to keep Springer, who is set to hit free agency after this 60-game season. 

Astros general manager James Click said earlier this month that reaching a deal with the 2017 World Series MVP, considered by many of his teammates to be the emotional leader of the team, is something he and team owner Jim Crane are actively pursuing over the next couple of months. 

Click echoed that sentiment Thursday, when asked whether the Betts extension increased their sense of urgency to extend their homegrown star. 

"I don't think it really changes anything," Click said. "Obviously, we're going to keep an eye on the market for these kind of things. But the conversations with George are ones that I'm looking forward to."

Springer has not been made available to media members since the Astros returned for summer camp July 3. 

His teammates, like fellow outfielder and free agent-to-be Josh Reddick, have spoken candidly about how the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic could negatively impact Springer's wallet. 

Reddick said Springer could "get kind of screwed out of some money" because of the pandemic. 

But to make matters worse, it's the Astros' own doing that put everyone in this position. 

Springer's big league debut was delayed to 2014 so the previous regime under former general manager Jeff Luhnow could manipulate his service time.

Had Springer been called up to the big leagues in 2013, he could have been eligible for free agency last season and been one of the best players on the market -- back when the market wasn't nearly as uncertain. 

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