BOSTON (Reuters) - Slugger Adrian Gonzalez has agreed a seven-year, $154 million deal to remain with the Boston Red Sox, the Major League Baseball website (www.mlb.com) said on Friday.
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, $160 million deal given to Manny Ramirez before the 2001 season.
Topping the list was the $275 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 gotten off to a 2-9 start.
The 28-year-old Gonzalez, who broke into the majors with the Texas Rangers in 2004, has a career batting average of .284 with 169 homers and 532 RBIs.
(Writing by Larry Fine in New York, Editing by Justin Palmer)
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