16 Apr 2011

Gonzalez signs with Red Sox for huge sum

12:50 pm on 16 April 2011

Slugger Adrian Gonzalez has agreed a seven-year, $193 million deal to remain with the Boston Red Sox Major League baseball club.

The Red Sox traded with the San Diego Padres for first baseman Gonzalez in the off-season with the intention of signing the left-handed hitter to a long-term contract.

The contract represents the ninth biggest aggregate sum ever agreed to in the major leagues and second-largest for the Red Sox behind an eight-year, $200 million deal given to Manny Ramirez before the 2001 season.

Topping the list was the $344 million, 10-year deal for Alex Rodriguez by the New York Yankees that runs through 2017.

Gonzalez, a three-time All-Star and twice Gold Glove winner, is hitting .268 with one home run and seven runs batted in this season as Boston has made a 2-9 start.

The 28-year-old, who broke into the majors with the Texas Rangers in 2004, has a career batting average of .284 with 169 homers and 532 RBIs.