Smokin' Hot Stove: Adrian Gonzalez

Jayson Werth and Derek Jeter aren't the only guys to become (even more) filthy-stinkin' rich this week.

The Boston Red Sox acquired Adrian Gonzalez over the weekend from the San Diego Padres in a trade for right-hander Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes and a player to be named later. The deal was slowed while Theo Epstein attempted to sign Gonzalez to a long-term contract, but the general manager is "very confident" they'll come to terms.

Adrian Gonzalez is a Badass

Adrian Gonzalez had a career-best (and tied a club record) with six hits Tuesday night, while the San Diego Padres cracked out 22 in all, for their best offensive show of the season.

During their 13-6 ass-whooping of the Milwaukee Brewers, Gonzalez managed base hits in the first, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth innings, and doubled in the third. The team enjoyed at least two hits in every inning aside from the fourth.

His bases-loaded single off lefty reliever Mitch Stetter in the sixth helped bust the game wide open, which is unusual since the left-handed first baseman came into the game batting .190 off left-handed pitching.

Pads Hall of Famer Tony Gywnn went 6-for-7 in an extra-innings game against the San Francisco Giants back in 1993, and even got to witness Gonzelez's feat live from the broadcast booth. Special.

[AM850] | [Other Crap] | [The Hardball Times]

You Suck, Brandon Inge

Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge just hit zero bombs in the Home Run Derby.

Good job, buddy.

First round action: Nelson Cruz and Prince Fielder are tied with 11 longballs a piece. Ryan Howard has seven, Carlos Peña, Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer are all knotted up at five a piece, and Adrian Gonazalez managed two tater tots.

Padres Continue Hot Streak - Double Digits!

Who are you guys and what have you done with the San Diego Padres?

It didn't matter that their manager and starting catcher had been tossed on Memorial Day, the Padres found a way to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-7 and stretch their out-of-the-blue winning streak to ten games.

Adrian Gonzalez Gets a Raise

The San Diego Padres finally gave their first baseman the contract he deserves.

Adrian Gonzalez received a $9.5 million, four-year deal on Sunday, a month after the club renewed him at just $500 more than the MLB minimum.

The contract has the potential to be worth $15 million if the Pads exercise the $5.5 million option for 2011, as well.

Gonzalez, who grew up in the bay area, had performed well in his first full big league season when the Padres acquired him in a six-player trade with the Texas Rangers on last January.

He led the NL West champion Padres with a .304 average and 24 homers, finishing second with 82 RBIs before being honored as the team's MVP.

[San Diego Union Tribune]

Padres Ink Adrian Gonzalez, Clay Hensley

The San Diego Padres and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez agreed to a one-year contract Thursday that will pay him $380,500 - $500 more than the major league minimum - after batting .304 with 24 homers and 82 RBIs last season.

The club also came to terms with pitcher Clay Hensley on a one-year, $392,000 deal. The right-hander struck out 122 batters and went 11-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 29 starts last year, including 8 relief appearances.

[Mercury News]