Red Sox Holding Back Roman Anthony The Real Reason Why

Red Sox Strategically Delay Roman Anthony Promotion: A Deep Dive into Breslow's Reasoning

The Boston Red Sox are currently navigating a challenging stretch, and naturally, questions are swirling about potential roster moves. One name consistently surfacing in these discussions is Roman Anthony, the organization's highly touted prospect. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has faced considerable scrutiny regarding the timing of Anthony's potential call-up, particularly amidst the team's recent struggles.

In recent interviews, including discussions with Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Jeff Passan of ESPN, and Greg Hill of WEEI, Breslow shed light on the specific factors influencing the decision to keep Anthony in the minor leagues for now. It's not simply a matter of performance, but a calculated approach considering several key elements:

Protecting a Young Talent

Breslow emphasized the importance of managing expectations and shielding Anthony from undue pressure. As he stated on "The Greg Hill Show," bringing up a 21-year-old with the expectation of "saving the team" during a losing streak could be detrimental to his development.

Ensuring Consistent Playing Time

The Red Sox want to ensure that when Anthony is promoted, he has a clear path to regular playing time. "You don’t wanna bring up a 21-year-old and have him play sporadically, he needs to be in the lineup every day," Breslow explained. This suggests the team is waiting for an optimal opportunity where Anthony can seamlessly integrate into the everyday lineup.

Navigating a Complex Roster

Making room for Anthony isn't as straightforward as it might seem. It could involve difficult decisions such as:

• Moving Ceddanne Rafaela: Shifting the team's best defensive center fielder from his position.
• Adjusting Trevor Story's Role: Potentially reducing the playing time of their second-highest-paid player.

The Red Sox have already made several adjustments this season, with rookies like Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer playing out of position and utility players filling everyday roles. Breslow seems hesitant to further disrupt the roster balance without a clear, long-term plan.

The Big Question: When is the Right Time?

Breslow is walking a tightrope, balancing the desire to inject fresh talent into the lineup with the need to protect and properly develop a top prospect. He acknowledges that Anthony's time is coming, but the organization is carefully evaluating the best moment to make that move, prioritizing both the team's needs and Anthony's long-term success. The decision ultimately boils down to whether Breslow will prioritize creating immediate opportunities for Anthony or allow him to continue his development in the minor leagues until the situation is ideal. Only time will tell.

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Craig Breslow, Roman Anthony, MLB prospect, Baseball, Losing streak, Roster moves, Greg Hill, Alex Speier, Jeff Passan

Source: https://nesn.com/2025/05/red-sox-have-specific-reason-for-not-promoting-roman-anthony/