Boston closes in on Gonzalez

San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez was a contract negotiation away from joining the Red Sox. .

The Padres had agreed to send the first baseman to Boston. That would move  Kevin Youkilis to third base and the Yankees would have their main rival back in business as a serious threat in the division. 

Gonzalez averaged .288 with 32 homers and 100 RBIs over the last five years.  That production would increase in hitter-friendly Fenway Park.