Imagine a rookie phenom making waves in his first MLB stint, only to watch the Rookie of the Year trophy go to someone else—while pocketing a fortune in future earnings. That's the intriguing tale of Roman Anthony, and trust me, there's more to unpack that might just blow your mind!
Despite not winning the American League Rookie of the Year award, Anthony is set to cash in big time, with a contract guaranteeing at least $130 million over the next eight years. On top of that, he can unlock additional raises through standout performances, like earning MVP votes in upcoming seasons. For now, though, he's getting a $350,000 bonus for securing third place, thanks to Major League Baseball's bonus pool designed for players before they reach arbitration eligibility. It's a sweet consolation for a player whose talent is already turning heads.
Meanwhile, Jackson Kurtz dominated the voting, landing first on all 30 ballots from the Baseball Writers' Association of America, racking up a perfect 210 points. His breakout year, coming just one season after being selected fourth overall in the draft, was nothing short of spectacular: a .290 batting average, .383 on-base percentage, and .619 slugging percentage, paired with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs. For beginners diving into baseball stats, think of it this way—these numbers show Kurtz's ability to get on base consistently and hit with power, making him a force in the lineup.
Trailing behind, Steven Wilson tallied 107 points, while Anthony grabbed 72. Rounding out the top six was Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez with 21 points. And here's where it gets controversial: Anthony's third-place finish speaks volumes about his half-season impact in the majors during 2025. Starting the year as baseball's top prospect, he made his debut on June 9, stepping in after Wilyer Abreu hit the injured list with a strained left oblique muscle—a common injury in baseball where the muscles on the side of the abdomen get overworked.
In just 71 games, Anthony dazzled with a .292 batting average, a .396 on-base percentage (meaning he reached base nearly 40% of the time), and a .463 slugging percentage, along with eight home runs and 32 RBIs. He wasn't just an offensive star; defensively, he shone too, earning eight Defensive Runs Saved— a metric showing how many runs he prevented through stellar play—in 290⅓ innings in right field, plus six Outs Above Average overall (he even saw time in left field). But here's the part most people miss: Anthony sat out the final month of the season after straining his own left oblique on September 2. Fortunately, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reported on Monday that Anthony is now 'completely asymptomatic,' meaning no lingering symptoms, and he's expected to start swinging a bat again in a couple of weeks, sticking to his usual offseason routine. This quick recovery could set him up for an even bigger 2026.
Shifting gears to the National League, Drake Baldwin claimed Rookie of the Year honors with 21 first-place votes out of 30. Cubs pitcher Cade Horton came in second, and Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin third—proving that talent is blooming across the league.
But wait, there's more on the Red Sox front. Ever heard of Marcelo Mayer? As part of his recovery from a season-ending wrist surgery, the team's assigned him a key offseason mission: build strength. Breslow didn't specify Mayer's exact role for next year, saying the Red Sox want to see progress before committing. 'He needs to get bigger and stronger to handle the grind of a full season,' Breslow explained. 'Our talks have focused on that, and he's fully on board. We're thrilled about his potential and what he'll show in spring training.' Still, pinning down his spot now feels too early.
Mayer's a natural defender, versatile across the infield, and could be the perfect fit at third base—if Alex Bregman doesn't return—or even second base. Yet, he's never topped 91 games in a season, with that high water mark coming in the lower minors back in 2022. Breslow added that bulking up will help him endure the full season's demands, which he's struggled with before. 'Some injuries were flukes, but others might stem from accumulated fatigue,' he noted. For fans new to the game, this highlights how baseball isn't just about skills—endurance and avoiding overuse are crucial in a 162-game marathon.
Speaking of Bregman, his influence on the Red Sox was 'massively positive,' in Breslow's words, based on his firsthand observations this season. Is the team eyeing his return? Breslow kept it diplomatic: 'I'll avoid discussing specific pursuits, but we value his contributions.' He praised Bregman's 'incredible work ethic, dedication to growth, and positive effect on teammates,' which he saw up close daily. 'Experiencing that firsthand shows how vital it is for the whole clubhouse,' Breslow said. This subtle nod could spark debate—is Bregman worth bringing back, or should the Sox invest in younger talent?
Amid the infield shake-up, one thing's certain: Trevor Story is staying put at shortstop. Despite poor defensive stats and a string of errors late in 2025, Breslow emphasized Story's stabilizing role. 'We've had several chats this offseason, and he's eager to train hard this winter for defensive improvements in spring training,' Breslow shared. The decision was so straightforward that internal talks or player discussions weren't necessary. 'Communication lines are wide open, and neither of us felt the need to push it,' he added. But here's where it gets controversial: Sticking with Story despite his struggles—maybe the Red Sox see untapped potential, or is this a risky bet on experience?
On the organizational side, Mark Heil is moving up to director of international scouting from assistant director of pro scouting. Rollie Pino, formerly a co-director, is now a special assistant in the same department. Todd Claus, the other co-director, departed earlier. Meanwhile, Breslow called the GM meetings 'largely symbolic,' hinting that in-person gatherings might not be essential every November. As a fun twist, he participated in a MLB-organized pickleball tournament Monday night as a team-building warmup.
Alex Speier of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.
What do you think—did Roman Anthony deserve that Rookie of the Year win, or was Kurtz the rightful champ? And is committing to Trevor Story the smart play, or should the Red Sox explore other options? Do you agree with building strength for Mayer before defining his role? Share your opinions in the comments—let's discuss!
