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Brayan Bello's world is quickly changing. That's what happens when you turn into the starting pitcher the 24-year-old has become over the course of the last few months.
His latest reminder? A question posed to Bello prior to Thursday night's Red Sox game against the Rangers.
"No one has ever asked me that question, but to hear you ask me that is definitely cool," Bello said at the conclusion of the interview with WEEI.com and translated by Daveson Perez.
The reason for the answer was the question: Have the Red Sox approached you about a contract extension?
Bello - who is just 25 starts into his big league career - has earned such a conversation.
"I’m not sure if they have talked to my lawyers. That’s their job and I haven’t spoken to them about anything like that," Bello said. He added, "I would love it. I love this organization. I would love to stay here, but I haven’t really given it much thought."
Such a strategy is starting to make some sense for both the team and the player considering what has transpired in recent years. Bello sits at just more than 170 days of service time, which is actually more than some of the players who have agreed to long-term deals.
Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks signed his deal after 38 days of service time heading into this season. In 2019, with current Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom helping pull the strings, the Rays locked up Brandon Lowe after 58 days. Others who have taken such a route include the Braves' Michael Harris (81 days), Tampa Bay's Wander Franco (104 days), Julio Rodriguez (141 days), and Ronald Acuna Jr. (165 days).
While the Red Sox might want to ride out Bello's run a bit longer considering the position he plays, make no mistake about it: Bloom and Co. are anxious to start locking up some foundation pieces. It's just a matter of identifying who fits the bill.
Right now, Bello - who carries a 3.04 ERA over 14 starts, living life as one of the American League's best starters over the past two months - certainly would seem to be the kind of candidate the Red Sox have been hoping for.
"That is definitely something on my mind, but there are a lot of factors that go into those kind of decisions," said Bello, who would be eligible for free agency until after his Age 30 season. "I do see (extensions have) been happening a lot."