Boston signs Pedroia for six years

BOSTON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- American League MVP Dustin Pedroia of Boston has signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract with a club option to continue it through 2015.

Pedroia, 25, hit 326 with 17 home runs, 83 RBI and 118 runs scored in 653 at-bats last season. The Boston second baseman also stole 20 bases and captured his first career Gold Glove after committing just six errors on 625 fielding chances.

The 2007 AL Rookie of the Year was the seventh player ever to lead the AL in runs, hits and doubles in the same season, the first since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1983, and is the eighth AL player to earn MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in the same season.

"It's something we're thrilled about," Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein said. "He embodies just about everything we look for in a Red Sox player."