Insider: Roman Anthony Contract Could Save Red Sox ‘Millions’

Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden said he was “shocked” when rookie outfielder Roman Anthony agreed to an eight-year, $130 million contract extension with the Boston Red Sox in August.

The national MLB writer for The Athletic argued at the time that Anthony was leaving too much money on the table by accepting the deal.

Bowden discussed the injured 21-year-old again on Monday, ranking Anthony second on his list of the top 10 American League rookies. The only first-year player placed ahead of Anthony is Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, who the insider said, “will clearly win the AL Rookie of the Year award.”

Bowden said on Monday that if the 2022 second-round pick continues his solid start to his career, the Red Sox could end up saving “millions.”

“Among the position player rookies on this list, Anthony, 21, has the best long-term outlook. He has a keen eye at the plate and makes consistent loud, hard contact. He can flat-out mash fastballs, hitting .352 against them this season. The Red Sox smartly signed him to an eight-year, $130 million extension through 2033 with a club option for 2034. This deal will save the Red Sox millions of dollars if he lives up to my projections for his career,” Bowden wrote. “Unfortunately, his regular season ended last week with a Grade 2 oblique strain that will keep him out four to six weeks. The Red Sox are hoping that if they make the playoffs, Anthony will have a chance of returning at some point in October.”

Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez (who the team acquired in a December trade with the New York Yankees) was ranked ninth on the list, but Anthony’s health could be the x-factor in Boston’s World Series chances.

The Florida native had recorded eight home runs, 32 RBIs and an elite .292/.396/.463 slash line across the first 257 at-bats of his career before going down with his oblique injury in early September.

Red Sox Nation could have their next superstar locked up for nearly a decade, but with the team in the thick of a pennant chase, Anthony’s health will be paramount to fans this fall.