IT’S A DEAL: PADS TRADE A-GON TO BOSOX FOR FOUR PLAYERS

Although the deal teetered on the brink of collapse at one time, the San Diego Padres finally swapped three-time All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday for four prospects to finalize a long-anticipated deal.

Sent packing to the Padres in return for A-Gon are three top Bosox prospects (pitcher Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder Raymond Fuentes) and a fourth player to be named later. The Red Sox are said to be interested in signing Gonzalez to a long-term deal. He is slated to earn $6.25 million next season, a bargain for a player of his caliber.

Sports Illustrated reported earlier that if the trade fell through, San Diego would keep Gonzalez for the 2011 season and likely lose him to free agency afterward. Boston media reports say the Red Sox will be taking a wait-and-see approach in spring training to make sure Gonzalez’ right shoulder, which underwent surgery after the 2010 season, will be healthy enough to justify entering into long-term contract talks.

The trade forced Gonzalez to miss the opening ceremonies for the Liga Olmeca youth baseball organization Saturday in Mexico City, although his brother Edgar (who now plays for Japan’s Yomiuri Giants) was on hand to throw the first pitch.