The Boston Red Sox and rookie outfielder Roman Anthony have come to terms on an 8 year, $130M extension the club announced on Wednesday.
The deal, which is pending a physical, comes into effect for the 2026 MLB season, and features escalators which could push the total value north of $230M. The 21 year old was promoted to the team’s Major League roster on June 9th, though it could be argued that he was ready for MLB action long before that.
However, the details of the new pact feature language regarding where Anthony will ultimately finish in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. As such, one can now see why there was perhaps a bit of gamesmanship on Boston’s part in an effort to keep Anthony in the minors for as long as possible. Depending on where the top prospect finishes in the voting, it will affect whether the deal buys out 3 or 4 years worth of free agency.
Across 46 games with the Red Sox this season, Anthony is hitting .283/.400/.428 (132 OPS+) with 19 RBIs and 27 runs scored. He currently sports a 47:26 K/BB ratio, and has added 2 HRs, and 2 SBs on the year.
A native of West Palm Beach, FL, Anthony was the team’s second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft. Boston is currently riding a 7 game winning streak, and sit just 3 games back of the Blue Jays for top spot in the AL East.
Entering Wednesday’s slate of games, the team has a 3.5 game cushion on the field for the top wildcard spot. Boston has the 4th most runs scored, and 4th best run differential in the Majors this year, with much of that offence coming from June onwards.
Boston looks to wrap up their series against the Royals on Wednesday night before heading out west to kick off a 6 game road trip.
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