Dustin Pedroia has a Rookie of the Year award, an MVP, a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger and, of course, a World Series ring.
And now he's got the big-bucks contract befitting one of the most decorated young players in Baseball. The Red Sox second baseman, who earned $457,000 last season while winning the AL Most Valuable Player award, agreed yesterday to a six-year, $40.5 million contract that could keep him in Boston through at least 2014.
Pedroia led the AL with 213 hits, 118 runs and 54 doubles and batted .326 with 17 home runs, 83 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
Astros sign Hampton
Oft-injured Mike Hampton finalized a one-year, $2-million deal with the Houston Astros, hoping to resurrect his career in the place where he became a prominent big league pitcher. The contract includes $2 million in performance bonuses. Hampton spent six seasons with the Astros, ending in 1999 when he won a career-high 22 games and was an All-Star.
Howry goes to Giants
The Giants took another step toward bolstering their bullpen, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.75 million contract with free- agent reliever Bob Howry. The 35-year-old Howry, 6-5 and 220 pounds, went 7-5 with a 5.35 ERA in 72 appearances and 70 2/3 innings for the Cubs in 2008, his 11th major-league season.
Seattle, Branyan agree
Free agent Russell Branyan and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a one-year, $1.4-million contract. The lefthanded-hitting Branyan batted .250 with 12 homers and 20 RBIs in just 132 at-bats with Milwaukee last season. Branyan has hit 133 home runs in 11 major league seasons.
Cards give Miller year
Lefthander Trever Miller and the St. Louis Cardinals finalized a one-year contract. The 35-year-old reliever was 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in 68 games with Tampa Bay last season.
