Former GM Reveals Shock at Red Sox Signing Roman Anthony to $130M Deal

A Rising Star and a Controversial Contract

A former MLB general manager and insider has expressed surprise at how the Boston Red Sox managed to secure a long-term deal with Roman Anthony, a standout rookie. The 21-year-old outfielder signed an eight-year contract worth $130 million, marking a significant investment by the team in his potential.

In just 46 games this season, Anthony has already made a name for himself. Since July 1, he has posted impressive statistics: a .330 batting average, .444 on-base percentage, .485 slugging percentage, and a .929 on-base plus slugging percentage. His 161 wRC+ is comparable to or even better than what established stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, and Albert Pujols achieved at the same age.

Anthony's current stats include a .283 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, .428 slugging percentage, and an .828 OPS. He has also hit two home runs and driven in 19 runs while scoring 27 runs. These numbers have contributed to the Red Sox's resurgence as a playoff contender this summer.

Because of these early successes, the Red Sox decided not to wait for Anthony to prove himself over several seasons before negotiating an extension. Instead, they relied on the data they had from when they drafted him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft. This decision led to the massive eight-year, $130 million deal that was announced this week.

The signing was met with widespread approval from Red Sox fans. If Anthony continues to develop into the perennial All-Star many believe he can be, the team will be paying him around $16 million annually for some high-impact seasons. However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm.

Jim Bowden, an MLB insider with The Athletic, criticized the timing of Anthony’s contract. He called it a “boneheaded mistake” for the young player to sign such a lengthy deal so early in his career. During an appearance on “The Foul Territory Show,” Bowden expressed his disbelief at Anthony’s decision.

“I cannot believe Roman Anthony left that much money on the table,” said Bowden. “I’m actually in a state of shock. I don’t understand how you can sit there and watch Ronald Acuna Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and not see the difference between the two?”

He pointed out that Guerrero Jr. is guaranteed $570.8 million in earnings, while Acuna Jr., a similar talent, has only $100 million. The gap between the two is $470 million. According to Bowden, Anthony’s deal resembles Acuna’s, but with a higher value. Acuna received eight years and $100 million, while Anthony got eight years and $130 million.

“I understand that if you’re 21 years old, it’s really hard to turn down $130 million,” added Bowden. “But I also understand that he’ll be a free agent again at 29. At that point, he could potentially get a $700 million or $800 million deal. The last two years of this deal alone, he left at least $100 million on the table.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the contract, the Red Sox have made strategic moves to secure their future. Before the trade deadline, the team had a lackluster performance, and they haven’t made many major free agent additions in recent years. However, Anthony joins Bryan Bello and Tristan Campbell as homegrown talents who have been locked up long-term on favorable deals.

The Red Sox are clearly investing in their future, and Anthony’s contract is a key part of that strategy. While some critics question the timing of the deal, others believe it reflects the team’s confidence in his potential. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if Anthony can live up to the expectations that come with such a lucrative contract.