Boggs’ New Contract Reportedly $5 Million for 3 Years

Wade Boggs, three-time American League batting champion with the Boston Red Sox, Thursday signed a three-year contract, reportedly for more than $5 million, averting arbitration for a third consecutive year.

“It feels good to get this out of the way,” said Boggs, who won his third American League batting championship in 1986 with a .357 average. “I had told the Red Sox I wanted to get this done by 9 a.m. Friday, before I flew back to Florida. We came in and started talking numbers and we got it done. Nobody wins in arbitration.”

Boggs had filed for arbitration seeking $1.85 million. The Red Sox’s counter offer was $1.6 million. A hearing had been set for Feb. 20 in New York.

Boggs went to arbitration and won a $1-million contract from the Red Sox in 1985. He went to arbitration again in 1986, seeking $1.85 for the season, but lost, settling for $1.35 million.