Pedroia handed $40.5m Boston deal

Pedroia's Red Sox missed out on this year's World Series

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia has signed a six-year contract extension worth $40.5m which keeps him tied to the Boston Red Sox until 2014.

The 25-year-old was voted as the American League's Most Valuable Player for the 2008 season last month.

He also picked up the AL's Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards for the best fielder and hitter in his position.

"I'm extremely excited - I definitely wanted to be here a long time and help the Red Sox win," Pedroia said.

"Who wouldn't want to play for Boston? We're going to have an opportunity to win every year."

Right-hander Pedroia had previously helped Boston sweep Colorado Rockies 4-0 to win the 2007 World Series in his rookie season.

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The contract is among the most lucrative ever given to a player not yet eligible for salary arbitration.

It also includes a $11m option for a seventh year - which would be waived if Pedroia were to be traded at any point.

The Red Sox, who recently traded outfielder Coco Crisp for Kansas City right-handed pitcher Ramon Ramirez, are also expected to unveil Japanese right-handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa, 22, as a new signing on Thursday.

He will join fellow countrymen Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima in Boston's pitching ranks, but is expected to start the season in the minor leagues.

Another pitcher on the move is injury-plagued veteran left-handed starter Mike Hampton, 36, who has left the Atlanta Braves for a second spell with the Houston Astros.

Hampton started 13 games for the Braves last season after missing the entire 2006 and 2007 seasons with injury.