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Mookie non-committal on extension talks with Red Sox

Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year, $20-million contract to avoid arbitration ahead of the 2019 season. Despite coming to terms, Betts won't rule out testing free agency once he hits the open market.

The reigning American League MVP said the agreement is not an indication that a long-term extension is in the works, according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe.

The Red Sox, however, want him to stick around for the rest of his professional career if possible.

"He's one of the great players of our generation," Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said Friday, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston. "Obviously, if we have conversations, they will be private, but it's our hope that he'll be a Red Sox player for his whole baseball career."

Betts will become a free agent after the 2021 campaign, and while he says he values his role with the Red Sox and is open to listening to their pitches, Abraham suggests the outfielder doesn't sound "eager" to get something done.

The 26-year-old is coming off a season in which he led the majors in batting average (.346) and slugging percentage (.640) to go along with career highs in home runs (32), doubles (47), stolen bases (30), and walks (81).

Betts isn't the only Red Sox star whose future with the club is up in the air. Neither Chris Sale nor Andrew Benintendi has discussed extensions with the team, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

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