Payton Tolle has been sensational for the Boston Red Sox this season, and it may be time for the team to start thinking about extending him.
Tolle has a 2.97 ERA this season in 20 starts. He was once one of the top pitching prospects in the organization and has quickly turned into a frontline starter. Tolle would be an ace on most staffs, but recently noted that the team has not opened discussions on an extension yet.
“Not to this point,” Tolle said, per The Boston Globe's Alex Speier. “I’ll let (the team and his agents) take care of those conversations whenever they’re supposed to happen or whenever they deem it necessary, but not to this point."
Under Craig Breslow, the Red Sox have made it a trend to lock up talent to extensions sooner rather than later. Roman Anthony signed an eight-year extension midway through his debut season. Rafaela signed an extension just 40 games into his career. Kristian Campbell signed an extension after just eight games.
Even a trade acquisition like Garrett Crochet signed a nearly immediate extension. Tolle could be next in line, and he is open to it.
“For sure,” said Tolle. “For (Anthony), being able to be here for the next seven years, eight, that’s pretty cool. We’re calling Boston home right now for however long they want me to call it home.”