Reports indicate that The Boston Red Sox have locked up second baseman Dustin Pedroia through the end of the 2021 season, signing their star to a 7 year, $100 million contract extension. The extension begins when Pedroia’s current contract ends in 2015, and contains a full no trade clause.
The $100 million figure may seem staggering, but in baseball’s current economic environment, $14 million a year for one of the best second basemen in the game seems to be a major bargain, especially considering the difficulty in finding quality hitters, who can also be quality defenders at second base.
Pedroia has played his entire career in Boston, and is one of the faces of the Red Sox franchise. In 2007 he won the American League Rookie of the Year award. In 2008 he led the league in hits, runs scored and doubles as he made the All-Star Game for the first time (he now has been 4 times), won the American League MVP, and earned Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors.
The 29-year-old is having another strong season for the Red Sox hitting .308/.385/.422 with 6 homeruns, 13 stolen bases, 57 RBIs, and 58 Runs scored in helping Boston to first place in the AL East this season.
Pedroia’s deal now sets a benchmark for Yankees’ second baseman Robinson Cano who is also looking to get a long-term, big money extension at the end of this season.
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