{"id":105598,"date":"2025-08-06T18:55:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T22:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=105598"},"modified":"2025-08-06T18:55:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T22:55:02","slug":"red-sox-lock-up-roman-anthony-eight-year-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/08\/06\/red-sox-lock-up-roman-anthony-eight-year-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Red Sox Lock Up Rookie Star with $130 Million Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BOSTON \u2014 The Boston Red Sox secured their outfield future Wednesday, finalizing an eight-year, $130 million contract extension with rookie sensation <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/05\/26\/four-mlb-top-prospects-call-up-timelines\/\" target=\"_self\">Roman Anthony<\/a>, first reported by ESPN\u2019s Jeff Passan. The extension includes a club option for 2034 and escalators that could push its value to $230 million. The agreement, pending a physical, begins in 2026 and keeps the 21-year-old under team control through his age-30 season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_101834\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-101834\" style=\"width: 402px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-101834\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26412861-1-300x239.jpg\" alt=\"Roman Anthony is headed to the big leagues with the Red Sox.\" width=\"402\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26412861-1-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26412861-1-1024x817.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26412861-1-768x613.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26412861-1-1536x1226.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26412861-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 402px) 100vw, 402px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-101834\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Worcester Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony runs after an at-bat against the Durham Bulls on May 23. Credit: \u00a9 Rick Cinclair \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Report: Roman Anthony Signs Eight-Year Extension with Red Sox<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Breaking: Outfielder Roman Anthony and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing an eight-year, $130 million contract extension, sources tell <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JeffPassan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JeffPassan<\/a>. The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a club option and will keep Anthony under team control through 2034.<\/p>\n<p>Get breaking\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VJqrGAMyyA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/VJqrGAMyyA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 ESPN (@espn) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/espn\/status\/1953134253950005681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Anthony&#8217;s Rapid Rise<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anthony, a second-round pick in 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/06\/09\/roman-anthony-baseballs-no-1-prospect-called-up-by-red-sox\/\" target=\"_self\">debuted on June 9<\/a> after dominating Triple-A as baseball\u2019s unanimous No. 1 prospect. In his first 14 games, the rookie hit .114\/.278\/.227 (.505 OPS), an underwhelming start for a player whose arrival in the bigs was anticipated for months. But Anthony has turned a corner, slashing .330\/.444\/.485 (.929 OPS) since July 1. He has a 161 wRC+ for those into advanced statistics. Overall, in 46 games, his triple slash is .283\/.400\/.428 (.828 OPS). Moreover, his elite plate discipline is evident, with a 19.3 chase percentage and 13.7 walk rate. Defensively, Anthony has excelled in the outfield corners, primarily in right field. Statcast credits him with four outs above average (OAA), while defensive runs saved (DRS) rates him with five. <\/span>Strong instincts and a slightly above-average arm (85.4 mph, 58th percentile) confirm Anthony\u2019s role as a long-term corner outfielder.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Roman Anthony walks it off for the Red Sox!<\/p>\n<p>(via <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@MLB<\/a>)<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kfFyOdfnyl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/kfFyOdfnyl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLBONFOX\/status\/1951461096134680634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Strategic Fit in Boston&#8217;s Vision<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consequently, this extension aligns with Boston\u2019s aggressive strategy under President of Baseball Operations (PBO) Craig Breslow. For instance, the Red Sox signed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rafaece01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-06_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ceddanne Rafaela<\/a> (eight years, $50 million), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/campbkr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-06_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kristian Campbell<\/a> (eight years, $60 million), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bellobr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-06_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brayan Bello<\/a> (six years, $55 million), and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/03\/31\/garrett-crochet-red-sox-agree-to-six-year-extension\/\" target=\"_self\">Garrett Crochet (six years, $160 million)<\/a> to long-term deals over the past year. Anthony\u2019s contract, the third-largest for a player with under one year of service time, mirrors <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/09\/22\/d-backs-corbin-carroll-makes-mlb-rookie-history\/\" target=\"_self\">Corbin Carroll\u2019s $111 million deal<\/a> with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Risks and Rewards<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Breslow\u2019s decision carries some risk. Anthony\u2019s power thus far is lacking, with two home runs in his young career, but the power is still developing at the major league level. Nevertheless, his .828 OPS has fueled Boston to a 32-16 record since his call (.625%). Anthony\u2019s growth into his protected power will determine if this deal becomes a bargain or a burden. <\/span>Ultimately, Breslow\u2019s bold move secures a potential superstar, ensuring stability for Boston\u2019s playoff chase. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Red Sox currently sit at 64-51, riding a seven-game winning streak, and a season-best 13 games over .500. Holding the top spot in the AL Wild Card race, Boston has its sights set on the division now, trailing only three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Roman Anthony hits his first home run at Fenway Park! <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pr5V8to5uK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/pr5V8to5uK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 MLB (@MLB) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLB\/status\/1942382721436664304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BOSTON \u2014 The Boston Red Sox secured their outfield future Wednesday, finalizing an eight-year, $130 million contract extension with rookie sensation Roman Anthony, first reported by ESPN\u2019s Jeff Passan. The extension includes a club option for 2034 and escalators that could push its value to $230 million. The agreement, pending a physical, begins in 2026 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5310,"featured_media":105610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1071,35],"tags":[6119,28425,2670,3614,28602,28596],"class_list":["post-105598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-redsox","category-mlb","category-news","tag-brayan-bello","tag-ceddanne-rafaela","tag-corbin-carroll","tag-garrett-crochet","tag-kristian-campbell","tag-roman-anthony"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5310"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105598"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105612,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105598\/revisions\/105612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}