Red Sox, Gonzalez ink 7-year extension

BOSTON, April 15 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez have agreed to a seven-year, $154 million contract extension, the team said Friday.

The Red Sox obtained the left-handed slugger from San Diego in a December trade that sent three prospects to the Padres, but the two sides couldn't agree on a long-term deal at the time.

The Boston Globe reported the agreement includes a $6 million signing bonus and $21 million per year from 2012-16. Gonzalez will receive $21.5 million per season from 2017-18, the report said.

"Very grateful for this opportunity,'' Gonzalez told reporters at a Fenway Park news conference. "Like I said back in December, I'm really excited about being able to play here for the next seven years, hopefully longer, and I just want to thank John Henry and the whole front office for this extension.

"I'm really excited about being here and winning some championships."

In his seven-plus major league seasons, Gonzalez boasts a .284 batting average with 169 homers and 532 RBI in 869 games.