Mookie Betts, Red Sox have not discussed contract extension

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With J.D. Martinez not opting out of his Red Sox contract, all eyes now are on Mookie Betts.

Martinez's commitment to Boston for 2020 adds to the speculation the Red Sox could choose to trade their superstar right fielder if the two sides can't come to terms on a contract extension. Betts is set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, and Sox president Sam Kennedy has admitted "it will be difficult" to keep both sluggers on the roster.

On Wednesday, Kennedy said the two sides have not discussed a possible extension yet this offseason. 

“I’m sure we’ll have conversations at the appropriate time,” Kennedy said according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

This news shouldn't sound any alarms as Boston hired Chaim Bloom as its new Chief Baseball Officer only 10 days ago. Kennedy went on to note the team has engaged with Betts in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

“We love Mookie Betts,” Kennedy said, per Cotillo. “He’s such a special player and such a special person. We’ll continue to have conversations with him. He’s under club control and we’ll see what happens this offseason. We’ve engaged in discussions with him and his representatives in the past and we’ll continue to engage with them. We’ll see where it all takes us.”

Betts enjoyed another All-Star season in 2019, hitting .295 with 29 home runs and 80 RBI. On Sunday, he earned his fourth consecutive Gold Glove award.

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