UPDATE: The Boston Red Sox and Rick Porcello have agreed to a four-year, $82.5 million extension, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Mets head into the 2015 season with high hopes, but they still have some contract issues to settle with their players.
Boston acquired starting pitcher Rick Porcello from the Detroit Tigers in the offseason in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The Red Sox and Porcello agreed to a one-year, $12.5 million salary for 2015 to avoid arbitration, but they were unable to work out a long-term deal. And it doesn't look like that'll be happening soon.
"Porcello confirmed to WEEI.com that he has told the Red Sox he prefers not to talk contract during the upcoming regular season. A team source confirmed that the organization has agreed that negotiations should wait until season's end," according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
It was believed the Red Sox would have a shot at inking Porcello to a new deal after they extended starter Wade Miley, but it appears as if the 26-year-old wants to test the open market following the season. In four spring training starts, Porcello finished with a 2.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in four starts (11 innings).
The right-hander is slated to hit free agency after the season and likely hopes to perform well in his contract year to increase his value. He owns a 76-63 record with a 4.30 ERA, 1.359 WHIP and 655 strikeouts in 184 games (180 starts) in six seasons with the Tigers.
In New York there's a similar situation occurring with the Mets and first baseman Lucas Duda. The two sides have "shelved talks about a multiyear contract," according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
"No agreement was reached, so talks have concluded and Lucas will focus on the upcoming season," agent Dan Horwits told Rubin.
The only difference in this scenario is that Duda cannot become a free agent until after the 2017 season. The 29-year-old batted .253/.349/.481/.830 with 74 runs scored, 30 home runs and 92 RBIs in 153 games last season and agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million salary to avoid arbitration this offseason.
New York has a little less to worry about than Boston, but it's still a big question whether these two clubs will be able to retain Porcello and Duda for the long-term. The Red Sox will likely have Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Porcello hit free agency after the season unless something out of the ordinary were to occur. The Mets have some time with Duda, but if he puts up numbers like he did in 2014 then the Mets may be hesitant to pay him as his value increases.
The Red Sox will open the 2015 season today on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies at 3:05 p.m. ET while the Mets will travel to Washington to face the division-rival Nationals at 4:00 p.m. ET.
