Gonzalez Contract Extension in Question

With just a few hours until the deadline to negotiate a contract extension with Adrian Gonzalez, Dan Roche of WBZ is reporting that the 2 sides are not close and that an extension may not be finalized before the negotiating window runs out at 2pm Sunday. The Red Sox and San Diego Padres can still complete the trade without a contract extension and the Sox may choose to wait until Spring Training to see if A-Gon’s shoulder is healthy before investing in him for years to come. If the 2 sides can agree on the parameters of a deal they will sign in the future, then these talks will be considered successful and the Sox can feel comfortable with their situation going forward. A-Gon has already said he wants to play in Boston and feels it would be a great fit for him, so I would be shocked if they couldn’t complete a deal at least before the regular season begins.A proposed contract would likely lock A-Gon up for 6 or 7 years beyond next season. He is currently under-contract for about $6 million this season, a ridiculous bargain, but would then likely bring in $15-$20 million per season beyond 2011. The Sox want to lock-up the 28 year old in order to use him as the anchor of the lineup for years to come. He is the type of player, along with Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia, that a GM wants to build a team around. He has middle-of-the-lineup power and is an excellent defender at 1st base. According to everyone who has ever worked with A-Gon, he is also a hard-working, genuinely great person and teammate, making him that much more valuable. The kind of guy you want in your clubhouse and in Boston, that goes a long way.

The best thing for A-Gon is that he will instantly become a fan favorite in Boston and will be supported by the front office, players and fans alike from the moment he steps off the plane in Fort Myers, FL to the day he leaves Boston. His reputation will suit him well and as soon as he settles in and begins to hit in Fenway Park, his numbers will explode. He has a perfect swing for the Park and will be protected in the lineup by bit hitters like Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and hopefully Jayson Werth or Carl Crawford. That is just a little better than being surrounded by Yorvit Torrealba, David Eckstein and Chase Headley in San Diego last season. A-Gon will undoubtedly have more chances with runners in scoring position as well, only inflating his already impressive numbers.

As long as the trade goes through, the extension can wait. Both sides want A-Gon to stay in Boston long-term and Theo would not trade 4 prospects for the slugger if he did not plan on locking up him up long term. He knows the price and will be willing to invest significant dollars into the left-handed 1st baseman. It is only a matter of time.