The Boston Red Sox have signed rookie second baseman Kristian Campbell to an eight-year extension worth $60 million, marking the earliest in a career the team has ever locked up a player to a multiyear deal. The contract will run through the 2034 season and includes two club options.
Campbell, 22, was a consensus minor league player of the year in 2024 after an impressive performance that earned him a spot on the team’s opening day roster. He hit .330/.439/.558 with 20 home runs and 77 RBIs during his time in the big leagues. Campbell credited the Red Sox organization for helping him develop into a player, saying they have “developed me from day one” and helped him become the player he is today.
The extension reinforces the Red Sox’s strategy of locking in players to early-career deals to maximize their performance. Campbell will take over at second base, a position held down for more than a decade by Dustin Pedroia. The team has been building a long-term core with players like Rafael Devers signed until 2033, Ceddanne Rafaela through 2031, and ace Garrett Crochet locked up to a six-year deal earlier this week.
Campbell’s impressive start to his career, including a .375 batting average in his first week with the Red Sox, has validated the team’s decision. He will now play alongside other top prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer as part of the team’s big three.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44502647/sources-red-sox-kristian-campbell-agree-60m-extension