According to a senior team official, the Red Sox are discussing a multi-year contract extension with Dustin Pedroia that would make him the highest-paid second baseman in the game.
Pedroia, who turns 30 next month, agreed to a six-year contract in 2008. He under contract for $10 million in 2014 with the team holding an $11 million option for 2015.
The new deal is expected to be for five or six seasons with an average annual value of $20 million a season. The Red Sox would prefer the new deal start in 2015 or 2016. Pedroia's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, are negotiating for the extension to replace the remaining full seasons left on the current contract.
Pedroia is a four-time All-Star. Over eight seasons, he has hit .304 with an .832 OPS. He went into Friday night's game against the Yankee hitting .316 with a .396 OBP. His 59 runs are second on the team.
On Thursday, principal owner John Henry said he was opposed to long-term deals unless they were to retain players developed by the organization.
With Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano headed to free agency and expected to command a deal worth $200 million, the Red Sox could benefit by striking a deal with Pedroia earlier.
News of the negotiations was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
