WORTH EVERY PENNY: Red Sox Great Goes All-In, Defends Roman Anthony’s $130M Contract With Unflinching Belief.vc

In a move that has “shocked” the baseball world, former AL MVP Dustin Pedroia has “forcefully” silenced critics of the Red Sox’s $130 million investment, calling it a “bargain” for a true “gamer.”

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have made their most “aggressive” move of the offseason, locking up superstar-in-the-making Roman Anthony to a massive eight-year, $130 million contract extension.

The deal, announced by CBO Craig Breslow, buys out all of Anthony’s arbitration years and his first five years of free agency, securing the 21-year-old through 2033.

While the move signals a “monumental shift” in philosophy—investing big in homegrown talent—it has been hotly debated. Critics have called the $130 million pact an “unnecessary risk” for a player with only one full MLB season under his belt.

But now, one of the most revered “Red Sox greats” in recent history has “gone all-in,” defending the contract with the same “unflinching belief” that defined his career: Dustin Pedroia.

Pedroia: “This is a Bargain”

In an impassioned interview on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, the former AL MVP and Red Sox icon “did not mince words.”

“Are you kidding me? People are questioning this deal? This is a bargain,” Pedroia said. “This isn’t about one season of stats. This is about the player. You see the way he plays? He’s a Red Sox. He’s a gamer. He’s a dog. You don’t let those guys get away. Period.”

Pedroia, who signed his own famous long-term extension to stay in Boston, dismissed any concerns about risk.

“I’ve seen ’em come and go. This kid is different,” Pedroia continued. “This is the guy you build around. This is the new ‘laser show.’ You pay the man, and you don’t think twice. This is a win for the Red Sox. It’s worth every single penny.“

Why the $130M Bet?

Pedroia’s “unflinching belief” is rooted in Anthony’s spectacular 2025 rookie campaign. After a brief call-up in late 2024, Anthony exploded onto the scene, establishing himself as the new face of the franchise:

• 2025 Stats: .281 AVG, 27 HR, 88 RBI, .890 OPS
• Accolades: Finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting and was a Gold Glove finalist in center field.

The “Breslow-led” front office, which has preached the “Atlanta Braves model” of cost-controlled cores, clearly sees Anthony as their Michael Harris II or Austin Riley. The $130 million deal is a “massive statement” that the Red Sox are “done” letting their elite, homegrown position players (a la Mookie Betts) reach free agency.

While the debate over “too much, too soon” will continue on sports radio, the ultimate “Red Sox great” has spoken. Pedroia’s “all-in” endorsement has given the front office “massive cover” and sent a clear message to the fanbase: Roman Anthony is the real deal.