Roman Anthony, Red Sox Agree to Reported $130M Contract Extension, Updated Payroll

The Boston Red Sox and outfielder Roman Anthony agreed to an eight-year extension on Wednesday, with ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting the deal is worth $130 million.

Passan added the deal could max out at $230 million if Anthony hits all of the required benchmarks.

Here's a breakdown of Anthony's contract, via Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:

Anthony told reporters Wednesday after signing the deal that he "wanted to be in Boston" and that winning in the city "is different."

The 21-year-old was one of the top prospects in MLB heading into the 2025 season. He debuted on June 9 and has appeared in 46 games, posting a .283/.400/.428 slash line along with two home runs, 19 RBI and two stolen bases.

With Anthony's contract taking effect in 2026, the Red Sox are on pace to have a payroll surpassing $200 million.

Teams being proactive in extending a young star is increasingly common. The Red Sox tied center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela down with an eight-year, $50 million deal in April 2024. This past spring, they handed second baseman Kristian Campbell $60 million over the same term.

Starting pitchers Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello are both under team control through at least 2030 as well. With Wednesday's agreement in place, the front office is firming up the long-term foundation of the roster.

Anthony is potentially leaving some money on the table. He would've been eligible for arbitration starting in 2028, and he would've become a free agent as early as the winter of 2031.

By going year-by-year, the talented standout probably could've earned more than the $16.3 million average salary he stands to receive. Then it's anybody's guess as to what an elite outfielder will cost on the open market into the 2030s.

Still, the appeal behind giving up a few years of free agency is obvious. Anthony has had 190 MLB plate appearances and now he's staring at a nine-figure payday.

In addition, a potential labor battle is looming in the background.

It's rare when MLB players and owners negotiate a collective bargaining agreement without much drama. With the current CBA expiring after 2026, the two sides couldn't be farther apart. A lockout or work stoppage at least looks possible.

There's a clear incentive to re-sign now and have the assurance of what you'll be making well into the future.