Jon Lester is in the final guaranteed year of his five-year, $30 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
The team holds a $14 million option for next season.
The Red Sox have not approached him about a potential contract extension and he doesn't plan to discuss one during the season.
"If something did come up during the season I probably wouldn't listen," Lester said. "I don't want to deal with it. I think it's too much of a distraction. I remember how it was in spring training trying to keep it from my parents, trying to keep it from the media, and listening to all sides and making a decision. It was a lot. If we're talking about a deal -- not necessarily like Verlander -- that is a significant deal, I just don't want that burden during the season."