Red Sox Sign Dustin Pedroia To Seven-Year Contract Extension

There have been reports all season about whether or not Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox will agree on a lengthy extension. Today it finally happened as Pedroia signed a 7 year/$100 million contract, the largest ever for a second baseman that will start in 2015 and run through 2021, likely taking him to the end of his career.

Jul 21, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) hits an RBI single against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Pedroia has been a beloved and excellent player in his years with the Red Sox. The Sox took a chance drafting a 5’8″ shortstop in the first round, but it has paid off immensely as Pedroia has had a wonderful career with the Red Sox. He is currently 29 years old and is a career .303/.371/.457 hitter in his eight seasons in Boston to go with a Rookie of the Year (2007), MVP (2008), two Gold Gloves (2008, 2011), Silver Slugger (2008), and four All-Star selections (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013).

In the latter years of his contract, Pedroia will not be the same player he is today. However, in the earlier years of his contract, he should make up for that as he will only be earned ~$14 million a year, a huge bargain for the kind of production Pedroia gives the Red Sox. On the other hand, Robinson Cano— a free agent this winter– will likely be paid over $20 million a year at the same time that Pedroia is making $14 million.

It is best that the Red Sox were able to lock up Pedroia before Cano signed and set the market for productive second basemen. Also, signing him now prevents the franchise icon from ever even having a chance to leave Boston. Even if he isn’t still a superstar in nine years, he will have earned every penny of his contract as a leader and maybe a captain.