Christmas arrived about... five months early for the Boston Red Sox' second baseman, Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox reached an accord worth $100 million for seven years. The deal ensures the Red Sox keep the face of their franchise and allows them to continue to build around a guy who leads by example.
What are the Red Sox getting from Pedroia?
He is right behind Robinson Cano in relation to offensive production amongst second basemen. Though many will disagree, especially in New York, Pedroia might be a better second baseman granted that he's 5'7" (give or take an inch depending on the source) and has incredible range. While Cano makes the game at second base look extremely easy, Pedroia has to be the scrappiest second baseman in baseball today.
When healthy, Pedroia can play what seems to be an entire season. He has played fewer than 100 games only once in his career, averaging 132 games in his seven full seasons in the majors. He has played over 150 games in three of these seven seasons. Having Pedroia in the lineup allows him to spark the team offensively.
When playing 150 games or more, Pedroia simply puts together remarkable seasons. He won the A.L. MVP in 2008 after leading the league in hits, doubles and runs scored. In 2009, he led the league in runs scored with 118, hitting .296 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI. Then in 2011, after only playing 75 games the season before, he bounced back with 21 home runs, 91 RBI, 26 stolen bases (all career high numbers) while hitting .307.
Currently, Pedroia has not left the park as often as he has in the past, but he's still making a difference in the Red Sox's lineup. He is posting a triple slash of .308/.385/.422 with six home runs and 57 RBI along with 13 stolen bases. Amongst all second basemen in the majors, Pedroia is fourth in batting average, third in on-base percentage and seventh in slugging percentage. He is a four-time All-Star and replaced Cano after the Yankees' slugger was plunked in the knee by Matt Harvey during this year's All-Star game.
Well, if Pedroia, who is 29 and has never hit 30 home runs in a season received $100 million, then that means Cano might want to stay healthy in 2013 as he is set up to collect a large chunk of change.
The Red Sox are currently in first place in the A.L. East with a 60-41 record. They are also the only team in baseball with 60 victories in the season.