As yesterday evening turned into last night, the fate of the Red Sox’s reported deal for San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez was unclear.
Boston failed to sign a desired contract extension with Gonzalez by the team’s 2 p.m. deadline, according to multiple online reports. The Sox apparently wanted the security of a long-term deal before flipping a number of valuable prospects to San Diego for Gonzalez, whose current contract expires after the 2011 season.
SI.com’s Jon Heyman, though, reported that the failure of the negotiations did not necessarily end trade talks for the slugger.
Gonzalez is reportedly seeking a contract similar to the eight-year, $180 million megadeal Mark Teixeira got from the Yankees two years ago.
Theoretically, Boston could trade for the star first baseman without signing him to a contract extension. But that option runs the risk of him walking after 2011 and becoming an extremely expensive one-year rental.
Gonzalez, a three-time All-Star, hit .298 with a .393 on-base percentage last season.?He’s considered a top defensive first baseman.
