The endless months of rumors have come to fruition.
According to Buster Olney, the Red Sox have come to an agreement in principal with the San Diego Padres to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
The team has received permission from the league to negotatiate a new contract with Gonzalez — whose current $6.3 million deal ends after 2011 — and Gonzalez’s physical, one of the final steps in the process, could happen on Saturday.
Sources have said that top prospect Casey Kelly is a part of the deal, and fellow elite young players Anthony Rizzo and Reymond Fuentes are also potentially part of the deal.
With Gonzalez in Boston, Kevin Youkilis would likely return to third base — meaning free agent Adrian Beltre will probably be on the way out.
The 28-year-old Gonzalez hit .298 with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs this past season in San Diego. He has also won two Gold Glove Awards in his five full seasons in the majors.
