The Boston Red Sox have become contract-extension happy in recent years. After losing Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts to the free agent market and massive deals they would never match (although they could’ve,) Boston has taken to signing promising talent early.
Before the 2023 season, Rafael Devers’ 10-year, $313.5 million extension became the largest contract ever given in Red Sox history. Since then, Boston has focused on more team-friendly deals. In 2024, the Sox extended Brayan Bello and Ceddanne Rafaela to a six-year $55 million and eight-year $50 million deal, respectively. They also jumped at the chance to sign top prospect Kristian Campbell to an eight-year, $60 million deal after his first five games in the big leagues.
The organization has similar hopes for its other top prospects, namely Roman Anthony. Rumors surfaced that the Red Sox have been trying to extend the slugging outfielder, but he doesn’t seem interested in signing on so soon. Rob Bradford of WEEI asked Anthony for an update on his extension discussions with the front office.
“Not anywhere significant at all,” Anthony said. “For me, it’s not really anything I’m thinking about.”
Anthony, who turns 21 in May and hasn’t even made his MLB debut, already has staggering expectations on him from the Red Sox organization and baseball fans at large. He batted .291/.396/.498 with a .894 OPS over 119 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season and won the All-Star Futures Skills Showcase. Boston hopes the young outfielder will become the next big thing, and it seems he knows he can live up to its projections.
Campbell opted to sign an extension right after his first week in the big leagues — a $60 million deal goes a long way for a college-aged kid who started the 2024 season in High-A. But Anthony has had top-prospect-level hype following him for years, and he’s primed to make the most of it.
Roman Anthony’s lack of interest in Red Sox contract extension shows he knows his worth
The Red Sox have recently become more inclined to sign their top prospects and promising young stars long-term to follow in the footsteps of the Braves organization. The front office saw Atlanta sign a 21-year-old Ronald Acuña Jr. to an eight-year, $100 million contract that has already paid off in spades. Since he signed, he’s earned four All-Star appearances, two Silver Slugger awards, MVP votes in three seasons and an MVP win.
If the Red Sox see a similar track for Anthony, it makes sense for them to pursue him long-term, but it also makes sense for him to hold out. Even if he has one successful season in the big leagues following his debut, his asking price will increase to match his experience level, which is exactly what the front office wants to avoid.
Anthony should sign an extension early if he wants to, but he seems keen to wait. If he’s as confident in himself as the Red Sox are in him, he may play a year or two in the big leagues before he signs to make sure he’s paid his worth.
