There are pros and cons to this approach. Some early extensions will be busts, as has happened to numerous other teams. But overall if one or two become successful, it probably winds up being cheaper overall than waiting. For example, if Anthony becomes a star and the Sox wait for that to sign him, that extension is likely more money than the current deals for Anthony, Bello and Campbell combined.
Just like the Brewers, who have extended Chourio, Lara and Pratt, all before any of them made their MLB debut. Had they waited, Chourio alone would be looking at more money than those three got combined. And despite this success, right now, that organization is thinking “we f***ed up by not extending Misiorowski”.
And sometimes the players take a bit. Colt Keith was extended before his debut in 2024. He spent the last two seasons as a platoon player wuth no real position. But this year he appears to have made strides and is becoming the hitter Detroit expected. Ceddanne Rafaela is also turning into a star a couple years post-extension…