reported that five clubs had registered interest in

BOSTON -- All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia is close to a contract that could keep him with the Boston Red Sox for his entire big league career. A person with knowledge of the talks said Tuesday that Pedroia is in the process of agreeing to a deal adding $100 million over seven seasons through 2021. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet complete. The new deal was first reported by WEEI. Pedroia is making $10 million this year and is guaranteed the same amount in 2014 as part of a $40.5 million, six-year contract that started in 2009. That deal includes an $11 million club option for 2015 with a $500,000 buyout. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound sparkplug was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and AL MVP in 2008. Its important to Pedroia to finish his career in Boston. The deal would expire after he turns 38. "Its not official or anything, but, yeah, this is my home," he said before Tuesday nights game against the Tampa Bay Rays. "I love being here. I love my teammates. I love the city. So if (the deal is finalized), Ill be pretty excited." Pedroia is a big reason for Bostons success. The Red Sox began play Tuesday with a half-game lead over the Rays in the AL East with a 60-41 record after winning just 69 games last season. In 100 games through Monday, Pedroia was hitting .308 with six homers and 57 RBIs. He made only two errors and missed just one game. A new contract "is not going to change who I am or my role with this team," he said. "My job is to still go out there and try to help us win a game every day and Ill try to do all I can to make that happen." The 29-year-old was a backup on the AL all-star team this season and entered the game after starter Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch. Cano can become a free agent after this season, his ninth with the New York Yankees. Pedroia might have received a better deal than the one thats close to agreement if he had become a free agent after the 2014 or 2015 seasons. "I dont look at it like that," he said. "I want to be at a place where its special to me and this place has been that." And he doesnt expect a rich contract to change the way his teammates look at him. "They still have to look down at me. Im pretty short," Pedroia joked, "but its a good feeling." In 956 games through Monday, Pedroia had a .303 career batting average, 96 homers and 466 RBIs. A second-round pick of the Red Sox in the 2004 amateur draft, Pedroia made his major league debut in August 2006. He hit .191 in 31 games that season then had his breakout season in 2007 when Boston won its second World Series championship in four years. He hit .317 with eight homers and 50 RBIs. He did even better in 2008 with a .326 batting average, 17 homers and 83 RBIs, winning a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. In 2011, Pedroia posted career highs of 21 homers and 91 RBIs with a .307 batting average. He dipped slightly last year with a .290 average, 15 homers and 65 RBIs as the Red Sox finished in last place in the AL East with a 69-93 record under manager Bobby Valentine. "I love being here," Pedroia said. "I live and die by this team and its important to me to be here my whole time." Mike Reilly Canadiens Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Dominic Moore Jersey . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. http://www.canadienssale.com/authentic-larry-robinson-canadiens-jersey/ . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Phillip Danault Canadiens Jersey . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends. Maurice Richard Canadiens Jersey .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Not every NFL team is licking its lips at the prospect of signing NRL aces Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes.The Los Angeles Rams told AAP on Monday they likely will not be sending scouts to watch?Taumalolo and Holmes work out on Saturday.Distance is not the issue for the Rams - the trials will be held in LA.I dont think we will be there, a Rams official said.Jarryd Haynes former team, the San Francisco 49ers, were keeping their cards close to their chest about whether they would send scouts to LA.Hayne was a rollercoaster ride for the 49ers and it will be interesting to see how much of an appetite they have for the physically gifted, but NFL raw Taumalolo and Holmes.Taumalolo, 23, and Holmes, 21, have the advantage of age, with Hayne a 27-year-old rookie during last years stint at the 49ers.The Daily Telegraph reported that five clubs had registered interest in scouting the duo, including the Seattle Seahawks, the Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers.Taumalolo, a 191cm, 113kg back-rowwer with North Queensland, and Holmes, a 185cm, 87kg fullback-winger for NRL premiers Cronulla, will be put through a battery of non-contact drills where their speed, footwork, jumping and catching ability will be assessed in front of NFL scouts.ddddddddddddThe pair made the surprise move of flying from London to LA immediately after playing each other in the Australia-New Zealand Four Nations final.The NFL Management Council sent out an alert to the NFLs 32 teams to inform them of Saturdays trial.Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes, two of the best players in Australias National Rugby League, have scheduled a work-out for NFL clubs this Saturday, the NFL Management Council alert stated.If an NFL team is interested in Taumalolo or Holmes, it is likely they will have to wait for a year.The league stars are contracted to their NRL clubs until the end of the 2017 season. 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