Connelly Early's emergence in the Red Sox rotation last September was nothing short of impressive. With a 2.33 ERA over 19 1/3 innings, he made a strong case as a cornerstone for Boston’s pitching future.
Yet, a contract extension to solidify this potential doesn’t seem to be on the immediate agenda for the Sox. Reports indicate that discussions with Early’s representatives at Excel Sports Management haven’t started, which might be more about strategy than oversight.
Excel clients typically avoid long-term extensions early in their careers, preferring to explore shorter deals that cover a player’s arbitration years without extending team control. Notably, former Excel clients like Freddie Freeman and Cal Raleigh signed significant extensions only after accruing several years of MLB service.
Early, however, is just getting started, with only 20 days on his service clock. Both he and fellow lefty Payton Tolle, who has 31 days, could give the Red Sox an extra year of team control if they spend some time in the minors this season-35 days for Early and 45 for Tolle.
These factors might influence whether Early or Tolle make the Opening Day roster, but a contract extension would change the equation entirely. Under the leadership of Craig Breslow, the Red Sox have secured long-term deals with young talents like Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Ceddanne Rafaela, even with limited MLB experience.
While Early might not have had the same top-prospect buzz, his journey from a fifth-round pick in 2023 to a Double-A standout before the 2024 season was noteworthy. His 2025 performance, featuring a 2.60 ERA and a 31.9% strikeout rate over 100 1/3 minor league innings, set the stage for his big-league call-up.
Without the precedent set by early-career extensions for players like Anthony, discussions about a contract for Early might not even be happening. The Red Sox likely want more time to assess whether Early’s promising minor league development can translate into sustained major league success.