Adrian Gonzalez's agent John Boggs will visit Fort Myers next week, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, and extension talks with the Red Sox for his client may resume at that time. Everything appears to be going according to plan, with a deal more likely after Opening Day. Alex Speier's December 5th article for WEEI explained why waiting until then to sign Gonzalez to an extension could save the team millions on their 2011 luxury tax bill.
Although vibes are positive from Boggs and the team, it is important to note that no agreement is in place. Morosi has the key quote from Boggs:
"We don’t have a term sheet signed. There’s nothing agreed to right now. But I fully expect we’ll start moving in a positive direction again in the near future. There is a mutual understanding of where our bottom line is. We’re going to try to pick up where we left off in December."
Reportedly, a seven-year contract in the $154MM range will get it done. Boggs told Morosi that Gonzalez assured the Red Sox he wouldn't change his December asking price.
Boggs has a pair of other young clients that I imagine he'll be checking in on in the near future: Trevor Cahill and Cole Hamels. ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted in December that the A's were exploring a Cahill extension, while Cole Hamels hopes to remain with the Phillies long-term according to Morosi and Ken Rosenthal. Hamels is under the team's control through 2012, with an eight-figure arbitration reward likely for that season.
