The Boston Red Sox devoted most of their offseason focus to improving the roster through newcomers, leaving Tanner Houck patient and open-minded.

Houck rose his stock value last season, breaking out as the team’s first-half ace. The right-hander was named to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, joining teammate Jarren Duran as the Red Sox’s only two active representatives to participate in the festivities — Rafael Devers earned the nod but didn’t make the trip. It was the first time Houck ever had been named to the Midsummer Classic.

Now, contract extension discussions between the Red Sox and Houck have been bleak.

“Nothing,” Houck said, per The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham. “We’re just hanging out, business as usual. Me and the wife are happy. I’m not worried about it. I plan to play this game for a long time. I’ll be fine. But if you’re asking me if I’d like to stay here, sure I would. I love it here.”

Boston’s 28-year-old veteran finished the season going 9-10 with a 3.12 ERA, finishing second for the most innings pitched (178 2/3) and third in strikeouts (154) among all Red Sox pitchers. The organization avoided arbitration with Houck, agreeing to a one-year, $3.95 million deal in January but that doesn’t fully address the uncertainty of whether or not the homegrown starter will stick around for the long term.

Fellow starting rotation mate Brayan Bello, before turning 25 years old, signed a six-year, $55 million contract extension last year. The following month, in April, the Red Sox agreed to an eight-year extension with 24-year-old outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, digging into the philosophy of locking previously highly-touted prospects to multi-year contracts.

Houck could be the next in line, and the 2025 season will provide an outlet for the sixth-year veteran to break out again. Bello, Kutter Crawford, Lucas Giolito and Patrick Sandoval are all working on recovering from their respective injuries, which means the rest of the rotation will have to step up once the season begins in a week and two days.

Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Houck will need to hold down the fort and keep the team on track with its goals while the rest work toward their belated season debuts.

Even though Houck hasn’t cashed in on a contract extension yet, that hasn’t deterred him from striving to raise the bar each season. Houck has also expressed his verbal commitment and approval for Boston as a potential long-term home when the time comes.

“I’m always open to (extension) conversations. I love Boston. And in the fall, leaves changing, this is what I want. This is right up my alley,” Houck told the Boston Herald’s Gabrielle Starr in October. “If it happens, great, if it doesn’t happen, no hard feelings by any means. Ultimately, teams got to do what’s best for them and what they feel is best. If I’m part of the plan, great. If not, while I have time here, I will continue to give everything I have for the city, in blood, sweat and tears.”

Houck will officially hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent in 2027.