Red Sox’s Roman Anthony Signs Major Contract Amid Mixed Reactions

The recent $130 million, eight-year deal for Roman Anthony with the Red Sox has garnered a lot of acclaim, but some, like former MLB general manager Jim Borden, are not so convinced.

Borden expressed his disbelief during a podcast, saying, “I can’t believe Roman Anthony left so much money on the table.” He was visibly taken aback and questioned how Anthony could possibly compare himself to players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who have contracts totaling around $470 million. Borden pointed out that Anthony seems to have taken a deal more in line with Acuña’s contract.

Roman Anthony, at just 21 years old, has made a significant impact since joining the major leagues. He’s played 46 games and has a batting average of .283, along with a 132 OPS+. His contract, which was finalized recently, has the potential to rise to $230 million with various incentives—his future looks promising if he maintains his current trajectory.

Still, Anthony opted for financial security, considering he’ll have another opportunity to enter the free agency market before turning 30. This opening could allow him to negotiate a staggering deal that might reach between $700 million and $800 million.

“While I get that turning down $130 million is tough, again, I think about how much he might have left behind,” Borden stated, reflecting on the deal’s implications. He estimated that in the final two years alone, Anthony may have forfeited at least $100 million.