Boston Red Sox and 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts confirmed Wednesday that he recently turned down a $200 million dollar extension with the reigning World Series champions.
He followed up that 2017 season with an even better 2018, in which he won the AL MVP award, hitting a league-high .346 with 32 home runs and 80 RBI, as well as 30 stolen bases.
Betts told MLB.com on Wednesday that he does not expect to ink a new deal with the Red Sox anytime soon.
"That's exactly what I expect. I don't expect anything to happen until I'm a free agent," Betts said.
Betts is eligible for free agency following the 2020 season, and at that time he will be just 28 years old and a prime candidate for a huge contract once he hits the open market.
"I'm under no pressure to do anything," Betts told the Boston Herald.
"It's OK for two sides to disagree. It's perfectly fine. It's a normal thing. I've got two more years. I'm going to make the best of them. I have to work on Year 1 right here. I'm going out to do my best to help the team win, also next year. It's all right to disagree."
Free agent Manny Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres on Feb. 19, and Bryce Harper inked a 13-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies worth $330 million on March 2.