Beckett, Red Sox Aim to Complete Deal Before Season
According to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, there have been "substantive discussions" recently between the Boston Red Sox and pending free agent pitcher, Josh Beckett, regarding a potential contract extension.
There isn't too much detailed inside information in the short article, outside of the fact that discussions are bringing a sense of optimism. However, it's a safe assumption that the Red Sox made a point to cite any health concerns at the onset of negotiations; the fact that the waters are still calm can certainly be considered encouraging.
almost 2 years ago
Logan Lietz
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Which was basically my reasoning behind posting this; it surprised me…
I’m all for retaining Beckett, but I think he’s a lot like V-Mart in the fact that he wants to stay in Boston, which makes me think we should put the talks on hold until we see how he produces this year—although I do think he’ll be exceptional this year.
"97 mph coming in and 197 mph goin' out." - Dustin Pedroia yelling at Mike Pelfrey mid-home run trot at ASU.
by Logan Lietz on Mar 10, 2010 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
I WANT COMMANDER KICKASS.
A Beckett-less Sox in the “Lackey era” makes me…ill.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
I have a five-tool player in my pants.
Assuming a Lackey-esque deal...
…I like it. Good value for the first three-four years, Plus performance from a back-of-rotation starter in years four-five (and six?). Seems like a decent way to secure a strong 1-4 rotation for years to come.
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Mar 11, 2010 12:18 AM EST reply actions
Unless you can't afford to pay for a good #2 in 3 year's time.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Mar 11, 2010 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
that seems unlikely
since if Beckett were still there, the only piece of our rotation that will be different in 3 years time (barring a trade, which we know won’t happen unless we’re equipped to deal with it) is Dice-K being gone.
That might be hard
I believe Dice-K has a no-trade clause.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Mar 11, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
I'm thinking a demotion to the bullpen could change his mind pretty quickly.
He’s actually fairly affordable to other teams and could certainly bring a decent return (assuming he shows he is healthy and productive the next year or two).
www.bullpenbanter.com
Or we could not give up on a guy who could be great just because he's had his troubles.
No need to rush Kelly up either.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Mar 11, 2010 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
Starting there this year, most likely.
I mentioned this before, but the majority of our top prospects who started in AA ended up appearing in the majors this year.
Like I said above, if Dice K has a nice year and stays healthy in 2010, I can certainly see a scenario where we trade him. If he does well and stays healthy in 2010 and 2011 I think its very reasonable that Kelly could replace him in the rotation for 2012. Daisuke at 1 year and 8something million is going to be very attractive to other teams.
www.bullpenbanter.com
Yeah, I can really see him going to a West Coast team.
Seattle in particular would probably see him as a distinct boost to their already strong interest from the Japanese market so his contract is probably worth it from entertainment market value alone.
Since they have King Felix signed long term, and assuming they won’t be able to afford to retain Lee, they will probably be in the market for a starter about that time.
Well, a lot can happen between now and then, of course.
Wake probably won't still be here then
… or will he? :-)
Lesseee 3 years down the road…
Lackey & Beckett would be the old dogs.
Lester & Buch will probably in their primes.
Dice-K? He plans on pitching into his 40s – will it be with us? He’s expensive to move until his final year – but maybe in 2012 he gets traded to a team like Seattle – the Japanese fans would love to see him teamed with Ichiro.
Kelley will definitely be knocking on the door for one of the rotation spots.
So I can see it all sort of shaking out where Lester / Buch / Beckett / Lackey / Kelley is the rotation around then.
Lots can happen in the mean time.
The handwriting was on the wall
As long as Beckett wasn’t trying to break the bank AND he was willing to accept some medical guarantees built in to the contract this was bound to happen.
Beckett has made it eminently clear he loves Boston, and the Sox really like what he brings to the team. Simply put, Beckett wants to be here and we want him here.
If he gets Lackey money or a little more I’d be very happy. In his last three years he provided value in the amounts of $26.5mm, $22.6mm and $23.9mm. His WAR totals in that time are 6.5, 5.0 and 5.3. His xFIP the last three years was 3.43, 3.24 and 3.35. Stud.
He’s an elite pitcher in his prime & a great fit here. There was never any reason we should have considered letting him go.
Lackey was just a target of opportunity who wanted to play here who we couldn’t pass up. Lackey never had any effect on Beckett. That’s just CHB/Wil McDonough/chicken little talk. John Henry has never pulled back the purse strings when it could make the team better. The only two times they balked were on ARod and Teixeira – and it was over perceived value and length, not the $.
www.bullpenbanter.com
Curly Haired Boyfriend
AKA Dan Shaughnessy
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Mar 11, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Who happened to write the douchiest "F-U Nomar" article today.
I have no idea why this guy still works for the Globe. He obviously hates what he does. And he’s not very good at it.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
He's a complete hack.
Have you read “Curse of the Bambino?”
Flat out, CHB made stuff up. The sale of Babe Ruth was NOT to finance “No, No Nannette” as you may have heard. CHB 100% made that up. The sale and the musical were actually years apart. He’s completely full of crap and has made up or misreported facts in his books multiple times.
www.bullpenbanter.com
I read snippits of that
What a bitter, cynical ass.
Unfortunately, people apparently read him so he stays. Less people should read him and read “Dan Shaughnessy Watch” instead so his hits go down.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
I have a five-tool player in my pants.
and the hatchet job he did on Moss this year
confirmed his destructive ways know no boundaries.
I don’t read him as a rule – has he written something completely a**inine about basketball yet?
He and Bob Ryan – just unforgivable that they are being paid by the Globe for that crap.
Do you realize that earlier this offseason he actually criticized Sox management for reducing payroll?
He portrayed them (as usual) as carpetbaggers who were preparing to sell the team.
www.bullpenbanter.com
Yes, Yes, Yes
First, it is not about how much the Sox can “afford”, it is about a good business decision. Luccino screwed up the A-Rod deal (thank god) because he took his usual hard line. Henry wanted to get a deal done with Texeira, but concluded, correctly, that they were being playes.
The parameters are set – Halladay gets $20mil. X 3, Lackey gets @$16 X 5; simple, I would rate Beckett as right in the middle there. He will and should get more years than Halladay because he is younger. I’ll say the contract come in at around $90 mil for 5 years. Beckett and his agent know that the FA class after this season will include Cliff Lee and Webb. If the Yankees are looking for a pitcher, Lee will likely be thier first choice, although taking Beckett from the Sox could be enticing to the Yankees. So Beckett will be looking at #2 money anyway.
GET ’R DONE!
Mostly agree
although I think signing Lackey DID provide a little leverage / fallback just in case Beckett got, say, “Boras-like” advice from his agent.
The team clearly WANTS Beckett back. But they don’t absolutely NEED him.
Wish I saw this before the draft
Was counting on some contract-year piss and vinegar…
Manny ain't the only bad man.
meh
I’d have liked to see what he did this season first.
Trade Beckett before the deadline
JD Drew the stud who is.
I'm taking suggestions from myself on the 2010 rally song.
Re-sign Victor Martinez, the future DH of the Boston Red Sox
Am I supposed to like John Lackey ?
Well
Its not a done deal yet, but If they are so willing to sign him that means:
-Beckett came into camp looking great & focused and/or
-Beckett’s shoulder tested well/looked good; and/or
-Beckett was willing to take less money and not try to break the bank; and/or
-Beckett was willing to allow the Sox to put medical language in his deal to protect them against his shoulder
If any one of those or multiples of those are true, I would have jumped on this deal as well.
It would have been nice to see another year of data (as I argued for w/ regards to VMart). We already had the guy under contract after all. But the difference is frontline starting pitcher in his prime or catcher? (with a “?”) looking at the downslope.
Beyond all that, we should be rejoicing because barring multiples catastrophic injuries this team will be far too good over the next four or five years to not be competing for a championship every season! Think about that. With Pedroia, Youk, Lester, Daisuke and Beckett all locked up (many well below market) and Ellsbury and Buchholz under control AND one of the best farm systems in baseball keeping a pipeline of talent flowing (Iglesias, Kelly, Westmoreland, Reddick, Kalish, Anderson, etc…) this team’s future is as bright right now as it has ever been. We’re loaded and more help is on the way. Even if things go wrong we have one of the most aggressive and smart front offices and most supportive ownership groups in pro sports. Life is really good for Red Sox fans right now.
www.bullpenbanter.com
$$
That would be a lot of money tied up in starting pitching…but Beckett has shown to be over the blister issues from his earlier days and if the Sox docs and Farrell sign off on his ability to be effective in his 30-35 range….
I don't mind tying up a lot of money in *good* starting pitching.
There’s a difference between spending money and spending money on premium players/talents.
Its pretty obvious from their spending habits this isn’t going to hamstring us anyway.
www.bullpenbanter.com
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