by Ken Rosenthal

The Red Sox have signed Pedroia to a six-year, $40.5 million contract.

The deal covers Pedroia for next season, his three arbitration years and his first two years of free agency.

It also includes a club option for 2015.

Pedroia's deal ranks among the most lucrative for a player who was not yet eligible for arbitration.

Mets third baseman David Wright (six years, $55 million), then-Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell (six years, $50 million) and Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (eight years, $45 million) also signed high-priced deals while their salaries were still under club control.

Pedroia led the AL with 213 hits, 118 runs and 54 doubles in helping the Red Sox win a wild-card berth. He batted .326 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs and also stole 20 bases to become the first AL second baseman to win the MVP award since Nellie Fox in 1959 with the Chicago White Sox.

Heading into his third year in the majors, the 5-foot-9 second baseman has already won the Rookie of the Year and MVP — joining Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryan Howard as the only players in baseball history to follow a rookie award with an MVP. He has also a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, World Series ring and a level of financial security rare for a player with such limited experience.

And limited height.

"I'm not the biggest guy in the world. I don't have that many tools. If you saw me walking down the street, you wouldn't think I'm a baseball player," he said after being selected as MVP. "I had to overcome a lot of things to prove people wrong, and so far I've done that."

Pedroia's everyman build and scrappy approach made him important — and popular — in a Red Sox lineup depleted by the short- or long-term absences of more established sluggers like David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, and Manny Ramirez.

"Dustin's style of play and tremendous work ethic have quickly made him a fan favorite," Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said. "He plays with a kind of gritty determination that serves as an inspiration not only to his teammates but to Red Sox fans of all ages, and we believe Dustin will play a key role in bringing more championships to Fenway Park."

The 25-year-old second baseman earns a signing bonus of $1.5 million and a salary of $1.5 million in 2009, followed by salaries of $3.5 million, $5.5 million and $8 million in what would have been his three years of arbitration eligibility. He would earn $10 million each in 2013 and 2014.

The deal, negotiated by agents Sam and Seth Levinson, also includes a team option to pay him $11 million in 2015 or buy him out for $500,000. If Pedroia is traded, the option would be voided.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona, whose pregame card games with Pedroia have become a bit of a tradition, is already counting his winnings.

"With the six-year contract, I feel like I got a bump in salary because of his cribbage skills," the manager said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.