Red Sox’s Roman Anthony Move Faces Intense Fan Backlash Amid Franchise’s Ongoing Struggles to Recover

Roman Anthony’s promotion was thought to mark a turning point for the Red Sox. With the team facing a tough stretch below .500, injecting young power into the lineup looked like the right approach. However, just days into his debut, a controversial decision turned celebration into backlash.

The team opted to pinch-hit for Anthony in a vital moment, despite the star’s powerful Triple-A numbers against lefties, fueling outrage among fans. For a team trying to re-engage its base, the handling of its top stars has only enhanced the disconnect. The move did not just raise eyebrows; it lit a fuse.

When Anthony finally cracked the Red Sox’s big-league roster, the fans expected one thing: consistent at-bats. Instead, what the fans got was a pinch-hit substitution in Anthony’s debut, as Cora was unwilling to let the star face left-handed pitching. The frustration reached a boiling point when Jared Carrabis posted: “I hate that Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer won’t be getting opportunities early on against lefties. Hate. It’s a developmental year. Let them develop.” For Red Sox, sitting at 33-36, fans are not wrong to ask—what is the plan?

The manager defended the approach, highlighting matchups and bullpen power. Cora claimed that the “lefties here are real lefties” and thinks that utilizing Rob Refsnyder and Romy Gonzalez against southpaws gives the team a better edge. However, the backlash is rooted in timing. This is not a contending season. It is a development year. So, fans argue that safeguarding prospects like Anthony from real battles defeats the aim. Despite delivering a .955 OPS this season against lefties at Triple-A Worcester, the star has been benched in those very moments in the majors, which only enhances the disconnect between approach and long-term growth.

Adding fuel to the spark is Anthony’s minor league numbers—Anthony did not just survive left-handed pitching; he thrived. At Triple-A Worcester, he outperformed his .879 mark versus right-handers. With a .361 average with 1 homer and 4 doubles, he shook the Triple-A. This is not a small sample anomaly; it is a sign that Anthony can handle the issue. By benching him now, the team risks stunting a hitter who has proven he is ready for more. With the Red Sox nine games back in the AL East, the fans argue this is precisely the time to identify what Anthony can do, not hide the star from adversity.

Fans erupt over Red Sox’s approach toward Roman Anthony

The Red Sox’s 33–36 record and fourth-place standing in the AL East have only intensified fan backlash. As the team teeters on the edge of mediocrity, fans are questioning whether the team’s cautious approach with top prospects is doing more harm than good.

One fan said what others think is common sense: “It makes less sense with Roman, who hit .367 against lefties at AAA this year… in no world should Anthony ever be PH for again.” Numerically, that stance carries water. As per ESPN, Anthony was called up from Triple-A on Monday, and on Tuesday night, he lined a two-run double to left in the first inning of the team’s 3-1 victory over the Rays. That night, Anthony thrived. Pinch-hitting him for Refsnyder, who is batting .284 with four homers, might look strategic; however, it sidelines long-term upside. With 2025 widely considered as a developmental season, fans feel this is the perfect stage for Anthony to get real-time reps.

Another fan’s reaction went nuclear: “Yes, FIRE CORA. Winning now is not the priority.” This could look like hyperbole; however, behind the backlash is a plea for vision. Allowing Anthony and Mayer to develop against major-league talent now, when the Red Sox’s winning percentage is just .478 and they are nine games back, could pay dividends next season. Mayer has a known history of issues against left-handers in the minors. In 2022, he played in 91 games because of right wrist and back issues. Then, in 2023, his season ended early at Double-A Portland because of left shoulder inflammation. Still shielding Mayer entirely from the team delays, necessary experience.

Still, not every fan thinks that it is solely about long-term development. A fan said, “It is June. We are 3 games out of the playoffs… we need starters who don’t give up 5 ER in the first!” And that is a valid perspective, too. Their real-time issues are deeper than a few missed at-bats, like shaky starting pitching and inconsistent run production. Through the first week of June, starting pitching for the team has been a disaster, and the issue lies in the very first inning. On the season, the team has a 7.04 team ERA in the first frame. This is the second-worst in MLB after the Rockies. Development cannot replace competitiveness entirely; however, benching high-OPS hitters feels counterintuitive, especially when the team’s offense is searching for a spark.

Another fan took issue with the thought process behind the move. “How are they supposed to get better versus left-handed pitching when they are hidden from left-handed pitchers?” This reaction hits a nerve. Improvement in the majors requires in-game battles. Mayer and Anthony could not rake right away; however, neither will learn from the bench. Avoiding lefties does not eliminate the issue. It delays the outcome. With a .955 OPS against left-handers this season at Triple-A Worcester and a .879 OPS against righties, Anthony does not fit the justification of “protection.”

Comparisons across MLB only intensify the spotlight. As a fan highlighted, “Dodgers are basically doing the same thing with HyeSeong. Dude is 3/3 vs LHP and they pull him for Kiké to hit .197 or Miguel Rojas to have fans debating if they should boo him.” The frustration is not unfounded. Originally thought to be a short-term call-up, Hyeseong Kim forced his way into a longer stay with elite performances, including a game-tying double against lefty Yuki Matsui. Yet, Dave Roberts still pulled Kim early against another lefty, Adrian Morejon, and opted for Kiké Hernández despite Kim’s elite hand. This decision mirrored Alex Cora’s call to pinch-hit Anthony. The message is clear: development takes a backseat to outdated matchups, when the numbers say otherwise.

The Red Sox’s handling of Anthony has struck a nerve. With the team’s season drifting and the fans growing restless, it is time to rethink what this season needs to truly be about. If development is the goal, the only way forward is to let the stars play—lefties and all.

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