ESPN Insider Thinks Red Sox Are In ‘Great Spot’ After Roman Anthony Extension

The Boston Red Sox solidified Roman Anthony as a future face of the franchise by signing him to a lucrative extension.

Boston gave Anthony an eight-year, $130 million deal with contract escalators and a 2034 club option. The rookie outfielder joins Ceddanne Rafaela, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell to give the Red Sox’s lineup an exciting young foundation for the foreseeable future.

Jeff Passan discussed the organization’s outlook with Jim Rome on Friday. The ESPN insider touted Anthony’s instant impact since reaching the majors and predicted long-term success for him and the team.

“What he’s done to help the Red Sox has been incredible,” Passan said of Anthony. “He’s been slotted right into the top of the lineup, leading off like a five-year veteran, getting on-base 40 percent of the time. Playing decent defense. The Sox are going to be good for a long time.”

Passan foreshadowed the Red Sox adding a high-end starting pitcher to join Garrett Crochet atop the 2026 rotation. That could position Boston as a perennial contender.

“They need another top-end pitcher, and that’s probably going to come this offseason,” Passan said. “But regardless, between their farm system and guys who are coming and what they have right now, Boston is in a great spot.”

Anthony has quickly gotten the hang of big league competition, batting .280/.399/.441 with a 1.9 WAR in 53 games. Despite making his debut on June 9, the 21-year-old would be emerging as a legitimate American League Rookie of the Year pick if not for Nick Kurtz’s power tear.

The future looks bright in Boston, but Anthony and Co. are focused on the promising present. The Red Sox hold the AL’s second wild-card spot entering a three-game series with the Miami Marlins.