Red Sox, Rookie Kristian Campbell Agree to 8-Year, $60M Extension

Rookie Kristian Campbell and the Boston Red Sox have agreed on a contract extension.

The deal is reportedly worth $60 million over the next eight years. Just five games into his Major League career, Campbell is set to be in Boston for nearly the next decade.

Campbell was excellent in 2024 across three Minor League levels. He appeared in 115 games and slashed .330/.439/.558 with 20 HR and 24 SB. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket earned a look with the big league team this Spring.

Entering 2025, Campbell had a chance to become Boston’s everyday second baseman. His strong play during Spring Training led to a major roster shuffle. Incoming free agent Alex Bregman — who was expected to start at 2B — was moved back to third while Rafael Devers converted to a DH to make room for Campbell in the starting lineup.

Campbell is already off to a hot start. He recorded a hit in all four games of Boston’s opening series against the Texas Rangers, including his first career home run in Saturday’s 4-3 loss. Through five games, Campbell has a 1.188 OPS.

News of this signing comes just a day after Boston announced an extension with ace pitcher Garrett Crochet — six years, $170 million. Between the two extensions, the Red Sox have shelled out $230 million this week to players they believe will be cornerstone pieces for the franchise moving forward.

After winning their opener, Boston has stumbled to a 1-4 record. It’s still early, but they can’t afford to dig themselves into a hole in a hyper-competitive AL East. The Red Sox have missed the postseason three years in a row. This is a franchise that hasn’t experienced a four-year playoff drought since the ’80s.

Securing players like Campbell and Crochet to long-term deals, and inking Bregman to a lucrative free agent contract are major moves for the Red Sox’ new front office. There’s a clear strategy here of retaining quality players and bringing in elite talent in hopes of returning to prominence.