FORT MYERS, Fla. — Major league players with fewer than three seasons of service time have no leverage when it comes to negotiating a contract. Most accept what the team offers and bide their time.

Mookie Betts didn’t budge, asking the Red Sox for a contract that reflected his finishing second in the American League Most Valuable Player voting last season.

No deal could be reached, and on Thursday, the Red Sox exercised their right to renew Betts at a salary of their choosing. He was given $950,000, a record for a player being renewed.

Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies was renewed at $900,000 after his MVP season in 2006.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was surprised the sides were not able to agree on a contract.

“That was his choice,’’ said Dombrowski. “We just couldn’t come up with the right number.’’

Betts received a significant raise from the $566,000 he made in 2016. But he and agent Steve Veltman had a point to make in the negotiations and did not accede.

“When you stand for something, you stand for it. That’s my view on it,’’ Betts said. “We didn’t agree on that. But I love everybody here. That’s not going to change.’’

Betts said several times that no hard feelings came out of the process, something Dombrowski agreed with.

“It’s part of it,’’ Betts said. “It’s one of those things you kind of hope for the best. There’s no animosity or anything going on. They didn’t let my hopes down. Now I’ll focus on baseball.’’

Betts said being renewed would not affect his future dealings with the team. Dombrowski has said Betts is one of the players the Sox would be interested in signing to a long-term contract.

“This is 2017,’’ said Betts. “It’s behind us and we go forward and play the game. I can’t focus on that. Right now I just worry about bringing home a World Series.’’

Betts finished second to Mike Trout in the MVP voting. In 2014, Trout received $1 million from the Angels after starting his career with consecutive second-place finishes in the MVP voting. That remains the record salary for a pre-arbitration player. In 2013, the Angels renewed Trout at $510,000.

The last Red Sox players to be renewed were infielder Kevin Youkilis and lefthander Javier Lopez in 2007.

Balking at WBC

The Dominican Republic replaced Hanley Ramirez on its roster for the World Baseball Classic after having discussions with the Red Sox Thursday. Seattle infielder Jean Segura was added to the team.

Ramirez is 5 for 14 with a home run and six RBIs in five games as a designated hitter but has yet to play first base because of a stiff right shoulder.

The Sox preferred that Ramirez remain in Fort Myers to get treatment and start a throwing program. Ramirez agreed after talking to Dombrowski and Dominican GM Moises Alou.

“I’m disappointed,’’ he said. “But we have a season to get ready for.’’

Ramirez said he expected his shoulder would be fine within a few weeks.

With Ramirez out of the WBC, shortstop Xander Bogaerts is the only player from the 40-man roster participating. Bogaerts joined up with his Netherlands teammates this week to prepare for first-round play in Korea starting on Tuesday.

Hit the road

Starting Friday, the Red Sox will play six games in five cities over six days. It’s their busiest stretch of spring training and presents a challenge to the coaching staff.

The Sox play the Braves at Disney World Friday afternoon. Their bus leaves at 7 a.m. for what will be a three-hour ride.

Seven players and the coaching staff will stay overnight in St. Petersburg before Saturday’s game in Bradenton against the Pirates.

The Sox are home Sunday against the Braves. On Monday, they play a two-game series at the new ballpark in West Palm Beach.

The first game will be against the Astros and the second against the Nationals.

The Sox then play the Mets in Port St. Lucie Wednesday.

That ’70s show

Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski and hall of fame personality Bill Lee were at Fenway South. Yastrzemski is expected to spend a few weeks working with minor league hitters . . . Rick Porcello makes his first Grapefruit League start Friday. He will oppose Atlanta’s Julio Teheran . . . First baseman Sam Travis is 20 for 44 (.454) with 5 doubles, 3 homers, and 16 RBIs in 26 Grapefruit League games from 2015-17.