Yankees $765M Split Hailed as Red Sox Call Roman Anthony a “Matured” Juan Soto

While the Yankees watch Juan Soto count his record-breaking $765 million from the crosstown rival Mets, the Red Sox believe they’ve found their generational talent in Roman Anthony. The 20-year-old prospect isn’t just filling a roster spot — he’s potentially filling the void left by Boston’s failed pursuit of baseball’s most coveted free agent.

The Red Sox organization didn’t just sit idly by during Soto’s free agency circus. They made their pitch, they dreamed big, and when the dust settled with Soto in Queens, Boston doubled down on their homegrown star. Anthony’s $130 million extension in August wasn’t just about securing talent—it was about making a statement that they won’t be outbid for their future.

Manager Alex Cora doesn’t mince words when describing his young outfielder’s approach. “Who he reminds me of, it’s hard. I don’t want to say (Barry) Bonds, of course. Probably (Juan) Soto, without the flashiness, early on,” Cora explained with genuine admiration. “It’s a good at-bat. He’s not going to chase. Even when he doesn’t get hits, you’re like, holy s—, that’s a good at-bat.” The skipper’s strategy centers on Anthony’s exceptional plate discipline—something that sets him apart from typical rookies who swing at everything within reach.

Anthony’s numbers tell the story that Cora’s words paint. Batting .283 with a .402 on-base percentage and .837 OPS, he’s averaging 4.25 pitches per plate appearance with a 14.6 percent walk rate. His average exit velocity would rank among baseball’s elite if he had enough qualifying plate appearances. With 246 trips to the plate, Anthony falls short of the 502 required for official recognition, but his impact resonates far beyond statistical thresholds. Thursday night’s series opener at Yankee Stadium promises fireworks – the kind that money can’t always buy.

Yankees-Red Sox Weekend Series Stakes Everything

But Anthony’s emergence takes on even greater significance as these ancient rivals prepare for battle. The Yankees and Boston Red Sox march into their four-game weekend series traveling opposite paths, each carrying vastly different energy into what could prove to be a series-defining.

New York storms into the Bronx red-hot. The Yankees just demolished both St. Louis and Tampa Bay during their road trip, extending their current winning streak to five games. They’ve seized seven victories in eight contests, catapulting themselves back to second place in the AL East standings. The momentum feels unstoppable right now.

Boston tells a dramatically different story. The Red Sox drag themselves into enemy territory nursing a brutal three-game losing streak, having surrendered seven of their last ten games after what seemed like a promising August resurgence. They’ve tumbled from second to third in the division, watching their playoff dreams grow more precarious with each loss.

Yet Boston still grips its postseason destiny. The Red Sox maintain a razor-thin half-game advantage over Seattle for that coveted second AL wild card position, though the Mariners have struggled equally. With five and a half weeks remaining, this weekend’s clash could either resurrect or bury both teams’ October aspirations completely.