The Boston Red Sox have made one of the boldest moves of the MLB season by signing top prospect Roman Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million extension—just weeks after trading franchise star Rafael Devers.
Anthony, 21, has played only 46 major league games, posting a .283/.400/.428 slash line with two homers and 19 RBIs. Despite his impressive start, locking him in at a $16.25 million AAV is a high-stakes bet. For this investment to pay off, Anthony would need to consistently produce 2.0 WAR seasons and earn multiple accolades—standards that veterans like Marcell Ozuna and Kyle Tucker met before signing comparable deals.
The Sox’s aggressive strategy isn’t limited to Anthony. Earlier this season, they gave another rookie, Kristian Campbell, an eight-year, $60 million deal after just five games. While Campbell’s contract is less risky, the pattern suggests Boston is prioritizing long-term control over proven performance.
This could either be a masterclass in early investment—or a costly overreach. Anthony’s deal might keep him away from free agency, but unless he delivers on the hype, Boston may have jumped the gun.
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