BOSTON - Clay Buchholz and the Red Sox agreed to a four-year deal Sunday that keeps the All-Star pitcher under contract with Boston through 2015.
The deal also includes club options for 2016 and 2017. Buchholz gives up three potential arbitration years and delays his chance to become a free agent in exchange for the security of a long-term deal.
Buchholz, 26, said he considered taking his chances in arbitration and then becoming a free agent.
"If it was me and I didn't have a wife and kid, it might have been a decision I would have dealt with a little more," he said. "
Buchholz was second in the American League with a 2.33 ERA last year and was also among the league leaders with 17 wins, a .708 winning percentage and a .226 batting average allowed. This season, the righthander is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA in two starts.
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