The Red Sox have received permission from Major League Baseball to negotiate with Gonzalez on a new contract, the sources said. The team already has flown in Gonzalez, who had surgery Oct. 20 on his right, non-throwing shoulder to clean up the labrum. Gonzalez's physical examination, one of the last hurdles to the deal, was in motion early Saturday afternoon, a source told ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald.
In exchange, the Padres would receive three prospects in pitcher Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder Reymond Fuentes, according to a baseball source. The Padres would also receive a player to be named later, a source told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes.
Sources told Olney it's very possible the Gonzalez deal would mean the end of Adrian Beltre's time with the Red Sox, because although Kevin Youkilis could move to left field, Boston's preference probably would be to shift Youkilis to third base.
"I'm not worried about that," Youkilis said Saturday when reached by ESPNBoston.com. "I just have to work hard like I always do, and focus on playing third and not first. There's a lot of time at spring training to do all that. I'll prepare myself the right way to play as many games as I can at third base."
Gonzalez is the Padres' most popular player with great crossover appeal to the team's Mexican-American market, a native son who carried San Diego to within a game of a playoff spot in 2010.
He is signed through 2011 at $6.3 million. The Padres exercised his 2011 option Nov. 1. His contract called for a $5.5 million salary, but performance bonuses pushed the figure above $6 million.
Get the Full Information on : Adrian Gonzalez to Red Sox