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Source: Adrian Gonzalez ‘has wanted this for a long time’ 12.06.10 at 3:41 am ET
By Alex Speier

According to a source close to newly acquired Red Sox slugger Adrian Gonzalez, the idea that the trade from the Padres to the Red Sox might fall through over money never seemed realistic. The reason why such a fear seemed unfounded was simple enough.

“He’s wanted this for a really long time,” said the source.

Gonzalez has been connected to the Red Sox in rumors for, literally, years. The appeal of his all-around package of offensive and defensive talents to the Sox was well-known. That, in turn, made the Red Sox a more appealing option to Gonzalez, as did his familiarity with team officials. Gonzalez was drafted first overall and signed by the Marlins when they were owned by current Sox owner John Henry, and David Finley, the area scout who tracked Gonzalez and recommended that he be taken with the first pick in 2000, is now a Red Sox Special Assistant to the GM.

The appeal of the Sox to Gonzalez goes further. For the first time in years, the 28-year-old will not have the Atlas-sized task of carrying a lineup. (Opponents have often chosen simply to pitch around the slugger, walking him 212 times in the last two years, third most — behind Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder — in the majors.) He will also be able to experience life in a ballpark other than Petco, whose capacious field tends to play like a relic from the days of Old Hoss Radbourn; in Fenway, the source believed, Gonzalez could “easily” become a perennial 40-home run hitter.  (Gonzalez has achieved that milestone once before, in 2008.)

That being the case, it came as little surprise to the source that the deal got done after Gonzalez spent the weekend talking to Red Sox officials. The first baseman had heard rumors of other teams’ interest — including the Cubs and White Sox — but Boston ultimately always seemed like the most sensible fit. While an extension has not been worked out, all sides are seemingly comfortable that one will be, likely after Opening Day.

Clearly, this was a deal that all parties — the Red Sox, Padres and Gonzalez — wanted. And now, all that remains is the unveiling at a Fenway Park press conference on Monday at 11 a.m.

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  • Name: Mark

    Theo has a recent history of wanting short contracts, ie Bay, Martinez. Since the contract is just now being written, it should be limited for 2010 to the 6Mil range, not heavily effecting negotiating position for other trades this year. So, length of contract is probably the hangup. When you are in the 50% tax bracket, it doesn’t make too much diffence to delay payment some.

  • kzone

    This has nothing to do with the length of the contract. This formality is all about the $$$’s for the 2011 payroll and since A-gon is only due a little better than 6 million that gives the sox room to add another couple players without the downfall of the lux. tatx. Gonzalez will be in a sox uniform until hes at least 36…count on it.

  • Robert Thacher

    They will end up paying more by waiting. If they don’t have him signed by opening day,they will lose him, just like the rest. Now that they have the extra $$,who plays LF.It won’t be Crawford as they will not pay him. Werth is gone. Kalish showed that he is not ready.I would say Damon except he can’t play the field anymore.Maybe Lowrie can play left.He has to be given 500 AB’s this year if his health holds out.Other then that, who?

  • jope20

    Maybe Youk moves to left field and Sox sign Beltre! Not the most optimum solution, but Youk can play anywhere on the field excluding pitcher or catcher. The Sox have experimented with this idea early in his career? Then after next year you rotate AGON, Beltre & Youk between 1st, 3rd & DH.

  • Beentown922

    Are you serious, jope? Youk in left??? Have you seen him play LF?! He is atrocious in left. He’d do it for the team, but you can count on Youk playing 3B next year.

  • c.cod

    This is a good move,he is the best option for the money.
    Would you rather have AG for 20+ a year for 8 years or JW for 18 million at 7 years?

    I would like to see another outfielder and JD Drew traded, Kalish/Cameron in RF would be much better than him. This team needed some new personalities,and I think JD’s time is up.

  • Brit

    …and don’t forget about Cameron for left field. He was injured last year, but he’s very, very good.

  • Source Close To

    Don’t be suprised to get an early Christmas gift in the person of Cliff Lee

  • tcarp

    c.cod – drew is untradeable, sorry bud. Adrian will be locked up, and I’m convinced the paramaters are understood (years and dollars), but the Sox are smart enough to wait until the start of the season so they can avoid the luxury tax (6 million against the cap as opposed to 18.5 if they were to sign him to an 8 year / $160 million extension as the cap hit is the average annual salary from the entire contract). This gives them flexibility this year to sign another outfielder and fill in the ‘pen. Next year Drew, Ortiz, Cameron and Paplebon all come off the books (massive savings there). If Crawford is looking for 180/8 forget about it. If he’s looking for 140/8 then I think the Sox would still be in on that given the money coming off the books. A trade (Kemp / Rasmus / Upton) or a low level signing seems more realistic though (Damon?). Cameron will be the 4th outfielder in 2011.

  • boris

    ells, peedy, youk, agon, papi, drew, lowrie, tek, kalish

  • Source Close To

    I like it Boris!!

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