Sox Lock Up Pedroia

The Red Sox and second baseman Dustin Pedroia have agreed on a 6 year $40.5 million dollar contract extension, an official announcement will come at 3pm today.

The deal is structured so Pedroia's base salary increases every year:

2009 $1.5 million
2010 $3.5 million
2011 $5.5 million
2012 $8 million
2013 $10 million
2014 $10 million

The Sox also hold a club option for 2015 at $11 million dollars. Pedroia would not have been able to file for free agency until the end of the 2012 season, so the Sox keep Pedroia happy with a long term deal that is backloaded with a modest $10 million for two years with the club option in 2015. Pedroia is the reigning American League MVP and Gold Glove winner at second base and many thought that a long term deal would follow. The option year will increase to $13 million if Pedroia wins another MVP.

Before the ink is even dry on Pedroia's contract the questions about Youkilis and Papelbon's contracts are going to asked, and asked loudly. Last spring training Papelbon made a minor grievance about his pay level, and certainly he is one of the top closers in the game. Youkilis is also under paid for his value, third in the AL MVP voting this year.

It will be interesting to see how the Sox approach contact negotiations with Youkilis and Paplebon, both players are arbitration eligible but can not file for free agency. Typically the Sox have been reluctant to give out long term deals to young players this still control without the threat of losing them to free agency.