What Does Roman Anthony Extension Mean For Marcelo Mayer?

What does Roman Anthony’s reported contract extension with the Boston Red Sox mean for Marcelo Mayer?

Anthony and Boston reportedly finalized a four-year, $130 million extension on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

According to Passan, Anthony’s extension is pending a physical and will keep the 21-year-old rising star outfielder under team control through 2034. Anthony’s extension also reportedly includes escalators, which, according to Passan, could increase the deal value to $230 million; however, further details about the escalators have not yet been revealed.

Anthony’s extension marks the third time over the past two seasons that Boston has agreed to a long-term extension with one of its young stars. Kristian Campbell and the Red Sox agreed to an extension earlier this season, and Ceddanne Rafaela did so with Boston last season.

Now that two out of Boston’s “Big 3” are extended, fans are naturally wondering about Marcelo Mayer. Is Mayer next in line to land an extension with the Red Sox?

Mayer has the sort of supreme talent that demands such a discussion, even if his 2025 numbers (.228/ .272/ .402 with four home runs) aren’t as impressive as Anthony’s. Since being called up to MLB on May 24, Mayer has continually shown flashes of brilliance with both his bat and his glove. On June 11, Mayer homered twice against the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming the youngest Red Sox player since Rafael Devers to deliver a multi-home run game. 

Mayer, whose primary position is shortstop, has displayed defensive versatility this season at both third base and second base. 

If there is one lingering question preventing Boston’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow from cooking up an extension for Mayer, it’s the 22-year-old’s durability. Mayer has suffered from a handful of injuries over the past couple of seasons and is currently dealing with a wrist ailment that recently landed him on the Injured List. 

Nonetheless, the former No. 4 overall pick possesses a wealth of ability and, at times, appears to be one of the most naturally gifted young players in all of baseball. Unless Breslow is heavily concerned with Mayer’s injury history, it’s logical to assume that Mayer is the next player in Boston’s organization slated for an extension. 

Anthony’s extension is a reminder that Breslow and Boston’s front office are highly interested in locking in the franchise’s young talent for the foreseeable future, which is good news for Mayer.