Jeter Stays in NY; Red Sox Acquire Gonzalez

So much for Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees parting ways. Jeter has reportedly signed a three-year contract worth $51 million with an option for the 2014 season.

While it would have been nice to see Jeter in a Boston Red Sox uniform just to make Yankee fans squirm, the Sox nor any other team outside of the Bronx would have entertained offering Jeter the kind of money he wanted. Alas Jeter will get his 3,000th hit in Yankee pinstripes.

The Red Sox were nonetheless busy as well acquiring first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres in exchange for three minor leaguers. Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein has long sought Gonzalez who, unlike Jeter, is entering the prime of his career. Gonzalez, who turns 29 next May, has hit 30 or more homeruns for four consecutive seasons and has knocked in 100 runs three of the last four seasons. The acquisition of Gonzalez also means Kevin Youkilis will return to third base while Adrian Beltre, who had a stellar year at third with the Sox in 2010, will play elsewhere in 2011.

It's December and the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is in mid-season form.