Published December 6, 2010

Adrian Gonzalez said his lifelong dream was to play for the San Diego Padres, his hometown team. His second dream, he said, was to play for the Red Sox. “You always root for a National League team and an American League team,” he said, wearing his new Boston jersey.

The Red Sox formally announced the acquisition at a Fenway Park press conference. Sox General Manager Theo Epstein said there is no long-term deal in place but the contract extension is being worked out.

In five seasons with San Diego, Gonzalez has 161 homers and 501 RBIs. Including parts of two seasons with Texas, he has 168 homers and 525 RBIs. Epstein has been after Gonzalez for awhile; he made a run at Gonzalez before the 2009 trading deadline and again last season, he said.

Boston gets Gonzalez in exchange for three prospects, minor league right-hander Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes and a player to be named later.

“I think he’s going to be a monster in Fenway Park,” said Padres general manager Jed Hoyer.

Epstein, too, predicts Gonzalez will quickly take aim at the Green Monster in left field. “We think he is going to wear the wall out,” he said.

Gonzalez had surgery to clean up the labrum in his non-throwing right shoulder on Oct. 20, but he said Monday he’s ahead of schedule and expects to be ready for Opening Day.

Gonzalez said he always admired Boston legend Ted Williams, also from San Diego and also a leftie. Another thing San Diego players and Boston players have in common: “I’m … ready to beat the Yanks,” he said.

What do you think? Does the AGon acquisition warm your baseball heart on this coldest day of the season?

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The Associated Press contributed reporting. Don’t miss Jeremy Bernfeld’s great write-up from the weekend. Jeremy is covering the story today for Radio Boston.