LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Andre Dawson, who rejected the Chicago Cubs' offer to return to Wrigley Field for two more years but at their price, signed a two-year, $9.3 million contract Wednesday with the Boston Red Sox.
The Cubs and Dawson's agent Dick Moss had stalled on the figures for a two-year deal. The ballclub was willing to pay $7 million; Moss wanted $11 million.
'We all assumed he'd finish his career with the Chicago Cubs,' Moss said. 'It's (switching leagues) something that he knows he'll have to do.'
A 17-year veteran, all in the National League, Dawson arrived in Chicago in 1987, giving the Cubs a blank contract in spring training. He won the National League Most Valuable Player award that season, leading the NL in home runs (49) and RBI (137).
This season, Dawson batted .277 with 22 home runs and 90 RBI.
Boston general manager Lou Gorman said Dawson would be used both in right field and as a designated hitter. Dawson underwent arthroscopic surgery in the offseason on his left knee.
'The fact that he played right field very much made the difference,' Gorman said. 'That's a plus for us in our ballpark.'
The addition, plus the acquisition of outfielder Ivan Calderon, gives the Red Sox an overload of outfielders. Gorman said how those players will fit will be determined this spring.
'With his (Dawson's) bat and Calderon's bat and (Mike) Greenwell sound, we should have a much better offense,' Gorman said.
'We actually hadn't thought about Dawson,' Gorman said. 'We wanted to sign (free agent Mark) McGwire but we couldn't work out the dollars.'
Dawson has hit 174 home runs the last six years with the Cubs, and has hit 20 or more homers in each of the last eight seasons. He broke into the majors in 1976 with the Montreal Expos and played there until 1988.
Dawson has a career .282 average with 399 home runs, 1,425 RBI and 310 stolen bases in 2,310 games. His 399 home runs rank third among active players, behind Dave Winfield (432) and Eddie Murray (414).
