Red Sox sign Roman Anthony to nine-figure extension after 46 MLB games

The Boston Red Sox didn't need long to confirm what they felt they already knew about Roman Anthony.

The lefty-swinging outfield phenom, who was the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball at the time of his call-up earlier this season, has been as advertised. And because of that, the Red Sox have giving him a huge contract extension to keep him in Boston for a long time.

The deal, reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan on Wednesday afternoon, is for eight years and $130 million. It includes a club option.

More details from Passan:

"Roman Anthony's deal with the Red Sox will start in 2026 and includes significant escalators that could take the maximum value of the deal to $230 million. Depending on where he finishes in AL Rookie of the Year voting, it would buy out three or four years of free agency."

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As long as Anthony continues to look like the rising star that he has, buying out three or four years of his free agency has the potential to be a coup for Boston. Most likely, he'd cost much more per year as a free agent six years from now than what the Red Sox will be paying him.

Even with early struggles, Anthony is now batting .283 with 15 doubles, a triple, two homers, 19 RBI and two steals through his first 46 games. 

His eye at the plate is phenomenal, resulting in a .400 on-base percentage so far, which has helped boost his OPS to .828.

And if we take Anthony's numbers after he went 0-for-5 on June 24, he has played in 32 games, batted .348, and put up an OPS of .953.

Whatever growing pains there were in the very early going appear to be gone. Anthony looks like a star.

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At 21 years old, Anthony can become the face of the franchise in Boston.

The Red Sox drafted him in the second round in 2022 out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in parkland, Florida, and he quickly rose through the minors.

Anthony has reached the highest league now, and he more than looks like he belongs. The Red Sox didn't want to let a player like this get away anytime soon.

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