The Red Sox finally found the right package to pry Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego. Now they need to make sure the slugging first baseman stays in Boston for a long time. To do so, though, they’re going to have to act quickly.
According to Fox’s Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox and Gonzalez have until 2 p.m. ET on Sunday to work out a new contract, as part of the trade.
Other reports indicate that the Red Sox still might go through with the trade, even if they can’t get Gonzalez to sign a long-term extension. Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman is among those who think a deal will get done anyway. Hall of Famer Peter Gammons said on Red Sox Hot Stove Live that he also expects a deal to get done before the deadline.
Heyman also reported that the Red Sox offered Gonzalez a six-year deal, but are shying away from a Mark Teixeira-type contract, which is in the eight-year, $180 million range. Gonzalez is slated to make $5.5 million in 2011, the final year of his contract.
