Arroyo's deal? He loves it here

The union and his agent were pressuring him to spurn the Red Sox' three-year offer, contending that by relinquishing his right to go to arbitration the next three seasons, Bronson Arroyo would be leaving close to $4 million total on the table and making himself a more appealing commodity to other teams if the Sox were to shop him.

But the 28-year-old Arroyo, who made $1.925 million last season and who just three years ago wasn't good enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates, came to two important conclusions leading up to yesterday, when he formally agreed to an extension: The Sox were guaranteeing him $11.25 million by the end of 2008, and by signing he would be on course to pitch in a city he has come to love for at least three more seasons.

Arroyo, speaking by conference call yesterday, said he accepted the offer despite his agent's ''strong advice" not to. He did, he said, ''simply for the reason I want to play in this town. I love being a Red Sox. I wouldn't have signed this deal in any other [city]."

The Sox yesterday also signed utility player Willie Harris to a minor league contract. Harris, 27, hit .256 with a homer and 8 RBIs in 56 games last season with the White Sox. Of his 284 major league games, he has played mostly at second base (174 games) and in center field (104).

Also yesterday, there were ongoing conversations between the Sox and Indians aimed at bringing outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston. The deal, according to a major league source, probably would cost the Sox top prospect Andy Marte and probably would include multiple players changing sides.

Crisp, who hit .300 with 16 homers and 70 RBIs while making $365,000 last season, is seeking more than $3 million in arbitration. The 26-year-old has been atop the Sox' list for some time.

The Sox also continue talks with other teams regarding a successor to Johnny Damon in center field, but a high-ranking Sox official shot down two rumors circulating yesterday.

One rumor making the rounds had Steve Finley, the Giants' fourth outfielder, coming to Boston for David Wells.

Another apparently inaccurate rumor had the Sox sending Arroyo to Cincinnati in a deal for Ken Griffey Jr., who is signed with the Reds through 2009 and could veto a deal to Boston.

Arroyo's deal breaks down as follows: a $750,000 signing bonus, $2.75 million in 2006, $3.8 million in 2007, and $3.95 million in 2008. There are also escalators if Arroyo reaches 200 or 210 innings. He pitched 205 1/3 last season, and if he reaches 210, he'd have a chance to make an additional $325,000 each year, giving the contract a total value of $12.225 million.

Had Arroyo elected for a one-year deal, he still would have remained under the Sox' contractual control for the next three seasons, given that he has only slightly more than three years of major league service, and players don't hit the open market until they've logged six years. However, he did give up the chance to take the Sox to arbitration this year -- he would have been seeking $4.2 million, while the club would have offered $2.95 million -- and twice more in the future.

He also makes himself appealing to small-market teams, such as Tampa Bay, given that he's signed at a fixed cost. Still, all indications are that Tampa Bay will require Marte, not Arroyo, in any deal for shortstop Julio Lugo. The Sox, according to Arroyo, told him they have no immediate intentions of moving him.

''They didn't give me any guarantees," said Arroyo, who began looking into buying a place in Boston. ''But Jed and Ben [Cherington] both stated to me there were no deals on the table for me now, and they felt pretty strongly I wouldn't be traded anywhere in the near future."

Though his agent, Gregg Clifton, didn't advise Arroyo to do the deal, yesterday Clifton said, ''Bronson's never been happier. That's all that matters. The bottom line in a negotiation is to help your client reach his goal."

Hoyer, in explaining the club's desire to do a multiyear deal, said, ''Bronson's been very successful for us. He's been incredibly durable, a great teammate, and he's proved he can handle this market. Those are all things we look for."

Arroyo set career bests in starts (32), wins (14), innings, and strikeouts (100) last season.

''In my heart, I always knew this day would come when I'd be a solid major league pitcher and sign a multiyear deal," he said. ''My goals this year are the same as the last couple: I'd like to make all my starts. If that happens, I always shoot for 15 wins and 200 innings. I feel both of those plateaus are a really solid year.

''Anything above and beyond that is really a bonus."

With Guillermo Mota signed earlier this week, the Sox have only one arbitration-eligible player, pitcher Josh Beckett, to get under contract. Beckett is seeking $4.9 million, while the Sox are offering $3.75 million.