BoSox close to landing Beckett..EDIT: It's done.

[Spaceman Spiff]

should have pulled the trigger, dammit. Now he's close to joining our division :doh:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2232211

Red Sox top contender to land Beckett
By Jayson Stark
ESPN.com

The Marlins and Red Sox appeared to be closing in, by early Monday evening, on a trade that would send Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston for shortstop Hanley Ramirez and one of the Red Sox's top pitching prospects.

One baseball official with knowledge of the discussions said the two clubs were "getting close enough where it was something to say 'yay' or 'nay' to."


Josh Beckett
Starting Pitcher
Florida Marlins

Profile
2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L BB K ERA
29 15 8 58 166 3.38
It's believed the Red Sox were balking at including left-hander Jon Lester in the deal. So Florida was weighing whether it was willing to settle on right-hander Anibal Sanchez instead of Lester.

Texas, which offered third baseman Hank Blalock and one of their two top pitching prospects, either Thomas Diamond or John Danks, was out of the running for Beckett.

"In the end, a deal wasn't there," Rangers GM Jon Daniels told The Dallas Morning News.

According to baseball officials who have been in contact with Florida, there was also a mystery team involved in the bidding. No officials involved in the talks would confirm the identity of this team. But an executive of another club said Monday he believes that other team to be the Dodgers.

The Marlins, the executive said, extensively scouted the Dodgers' Double-A team in Jacksonville -- and Florida is said to like a number of that team's best pitchers. That group of pitchers includes former No. 1 picks Chad Billingsley and Justin Orenduff, as well as 240-pound smokeballer Jonathon Broxton. Because of their vacancy at shortstop, the Marlins also would be likely to have interest in the Dodgers' much-hyped Double-A shortstop, Joel Guzman.

Before the Rangers were told they were eliminated from the running, Florida asked the Rangers to expand their deal even further, to include hot shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias, along with Blalock and a pitcher. In return, the Rangers would want a second pitcher back -- possibly setup man Guillermo Mota.

The Marlins, if that deal were completed, then would turn around and trade Blalock, who would block Miguel Cabrera's return to third base if Florida kept him. Teams known to be interested in Blalock include the Twins, Phillies and Devil Rays.

The Angels at one point were involved in the bidding on Beckett, but since have dropped out, according to one source. Still alive, but running behind the other bidders, is Detroit.

[Spaceman Spiff]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2232211


Red Sox on verge of acquiring Beckett, Lowell
By Peter Gammons and Jayson Stark
ESPN.com

The Red Sox and Marlins have come to a tentative agreement on a trade that would send Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston for shortstop Hanley Ramirez, right-handed prospect Anibal Sanchez and a minor-league pitcher.


Olney: Beware the fire sale
The plan the Marlins have formulated might be based on sound economic philosophy. It could be that in trading Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell and perhaps hoping to deal Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo and Juan Pierre later, they might be in a better position to contend for a championship in a few years. Perhaps a pitching prospect they get in a deal with the Rangers will develop into the next Josh Beckett.
But there is always a larger price when you go about the business of conducting a fire sale in baseball, and the Marlins are barreling down that course. Story

The deal is contingent on the finalization of paperwork and all players passing physicals, sources outside the Red Sox organization have told ESPN's Peter Gammons. An official announcement is not expected for a day or two, which leaves open the possibility that it could still fall apart, Gammons said on SportsCenter.

Only some last-minute haggling over dollars appeared to be holding up the deal, a baseball official with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Florida would include cash in the trade to offset some of the $18 million owed to Lowell over the next two seasons.

In return, the Red Sox would give up Ramirez, their much-ballyhooed shortstop prospect, and Sanchez. The Marlins originally had targeted left-hander Jon Lester, but Boston balked at including him in the trade, so the Red Sox agreed to add a second minor leaguer if Florida took Sanchez instead, Stark reports.

Over the weekend the Texas Rangers were considered the frontrunner to land Beckett, the MVP of the 2003 World Series. The Rangers were offering All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock and one of their two top pitching prospects, either Thomas Diamond or John Danks, for Beckett. Blalock, who turned 25 on Monday, hit .263 with 25 homers and 92 RBI last season and led AL third basemen in fielding.

New Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he received a call Monday afternoon from Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, who told him "the Marlins are going to go in another direction with their trade."

Before Texas was told it was eliminated from the running, Florida asked the Rangers to expand their deal even further, to include hot shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias, along with Blalock and a pitcher. In return, the Rangers would want a second pitcher back -- possibly setup man Guillermo Mota.

The Marlins, if that deal would have been completed, then would turn around and trade Blalock, who would block Miguel Cabrera's return to third base if Florida kept him. Teams known to be interested in Blalock include the Twins, Phillies and Devil Rays.

Beckett went 15-8 with a 3.38 ERA last season, when he had problems with his shoulder and recurring blisters on his right middle finger.

Lowell hit .236 with eight homers and 58 RBI while winning the NL Gold Glove at third base last season. He averaged 24 homers and 94 RBI per season in the five years before that.

Beckett is expected to earn between $4 million and $5 million next season.

Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com. ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons writes frequently for ESPN.com.

[Metalhead]

It looks like a fairly bad trade for Boston....they're giving up some decent prospects and taking on a ton of money just to get Erik Bedard numbers for two seasons. Guess we'll see how it pans out...

[aejm1400]

Here's hoping to many more blisters.

[galentjm]

It looks like a fairly bad trade for Boston....they're giving up some decent prospects and taking on a ton of money just to get Erik Bedard numbers for two seasons. Guess we'll see how it pans out...

Bedard never shut down the Yanks for 9 innings during the deciding game of the world series. Beckett is 25, has AMAZING stuff, and is just now coming into his prime. This is a fantastic deal for the sox.

[TheDoyler23]

Sweet, a little better than .500 pitcher who has never come close to pitching 200 innings, a history of blister problems, and a deflated era from playing in a cave. Not someone I would give 2 of my top prostects for. PLUS they have to take Lowell's salary. He's a potential steroid user with his decline in 2005...

[Metalhead]

Yeah he shut them down for one game, but can he last a season, and does he consistently pitch like that? Bedard's been known to have some very good outings as well. Bedard was having a great season before the injury.

My main point though was how much they gave up just for Beckett, which was A LOT.

[galentjm]

Taking on Lowell's salary doesn't have the damaging effect on the Sox that it would on the O's. If this pans out they may have stabilized their rotation which was their achilles heal last year. My comments about Bedard weren't to take away his accomplishments thus far, I was merely attempting to point out that Beckett is a proven big game pitcher that doesn't crumble in pressure situations.

As far as the Sox are concerned Lowell is a bonus. If he hits, then they've added another dynamic hitter to their already stacked lineup. If he doesn't, the current lineup is more than capable of putting up enough offense to win some games.

[galentjm]

Giving up Ramirez I'm sure wasn't easy for the Sox, but they just acquired a top of the rotation type starter. You have to give something of value to get something of value. Besides, Renteria can hold down SS for the forseeable future, and second base can be manned by anyone with a pulse and a solid glove.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm such a retard, I got Beckett confused with Burnett...:doh:


Carry on, nothing more to see here..

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Taking on Lowell's salary doesn't have the damaging effect on the Sox that it would on the O's. If this pans out they may have stabilized their rotation which was their achilles heal last year. My comments about Bedard weren't to take away his accomplishments thus far, I was merely attempting to point out that Beckett is a proven big game pitcher that doesn't crumble in pressure situations.

As far as the Sox are concerned Lowell is a bonus. If he hits, then they've added another dynamic hitter to their already stacked lineup. If he doesn't, the current lineup is more than capable of putting up enough offense to win some games.
If Manny is traded, that offense won't be anything special. Ortiz won't be the same hitter without protection from Manny. Also, Damon and Mueller are good as gone too. Who are the Sox going to get to replace Damon's production in the lead off? Enjoy Lowell's .230 avg, 8 HRs, and 60 RBIs, and Beckett's 20 starts.

[galentjm]

If Manny is traded, that offense won't be anything special. Ortiz won't be the same hitter without protection from Manny. Also, Damon and Mueller are good as gone too. Who are the Sox going to get to replace Damon's production in the lead off? Enjoy Lowell's .230 avg, 8 HRs, and 60 RBIs, and Beckett's 20 starts.

First off, I'm not a Sox fan. I'm an O's fan, so I won't "enjoy" anything involving a Sox player. I simply believe that Boston is getting away with highway robbery on this deal. The fact that Boston was able to pull this one off without giving up Papelbon and/or Lester just blows my mind.

Secondly, all indications at this point suggest that Manny is staying put. His truly is an unmovable salary, and I'm sure the Sox management will find some way to make Manny happy. Any lineup that includes Manny and Ortiz will be tremendous.

Losing Damon will certainly hurt the most, not only because it will be difficult to replace his production at the top of the lineup, but also because he's a leader. No way Damon gets what he's currently asking for (7 yrs $84 million). He's going to scare away a lot of teams asking for that much, and I bet he ends up back with the Sox before its over.

Mueller had a phenomenal 2003 season, and remains a solid player, but the past two seasons he's been more of a complimentary player in that lineup. He played a lot, and put up some decent numbers, but the Sox in no way depended on him to drive in runs. He's definitely not irreplaceable.

Lets also not forget that its not even December yet. The baseball offseason doesn't truly hit stride until the winter meetings, and no one is done dealing yet.

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

I know nothing about the prospects Boston gave up, only that some people think Ramirez is overrated. So I'm not sure if it was highway robbery or not. I think Beckett has great stuff, but giving up 2 top prospects and a PTBNL is more than I would give up for him and Lowell's albatross contract. Would you have given up Markakis, Penn, and a PTBNL for those 2? I would bomb the warehouse if they did that deal!

And there's a story on ESPN.com right now (too lazy to go grab the link) about Ortiz saying he does not think Manny will be back.

I'm hearing that things will get a little crazy for the O's come the meetings, as in Byrd, Millwood, and a big bat through a trade. We shall see.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I know nothing about the prospects Boston gave up, only that some people think Ramirez is overrated. So I'm not sure if it was highway robbery or not. I think Beckett has great stuff, but giving up 2 top prospects and a PTBNL is more than I would give up for him and Lowell's albatross contract. Would you have given up Markakis, Penn, and a PTBNL for those 2? I would bomb the warehouse if they did that deal!

And there's a story on ESPN.com right now (too lazy to go grab the link) about Ortiz saying he does not think Manny will be back.

I'm hearing that things will get a little crazy for the O's come the meetings, as in Byrd, Millwood, and a big bat through a trade. We shall see.

Espn.com's Sportsguy made a good point today, that the Sox wouldn't have signed Renteria if they were that high on Hanley Ramirez.

Maybe this is me being a snob here, and it probably is, but I just can't get excited about Byrd and Millwood. I know we have Mazzone and everything...but Millwoods slightly above average and Byrd is a #3.

I dunno, I just don't see the O's having an outstanding offseason. But this is me being disappointed with the prior offseasons only to get excited about baseball come spring, then have my hopes come crashing down when I realize the O's are a 73-78 win team.

But the meetings haven't even started yet and one half of the dunce GM team is gone, so maybe I shouldn't give up hope.

[REDPepper]

millwood was great this past year... he has very bad luck with his run support just like roger clemens, no he's not considered dominant, he doesnt strike people out at will, but his ERA is EXCELLENT... it may have been #1 in the MLB actually, probably not, but it was very good... that's what the o's need, not strikeouts, good ERA is more important.

espn.com is now reporting the beckett deal is likely not to go through.

[Spaceman Spiff]

espn.com is now reporting the beckett deal is likely not to go through.

Link please because I cant find that.

[galentjm]

I know nothing about the prospects Boston gave up, only that some people think Ramirez is overrated. So I'm not sure if it was highway robbery or not. I think Beckett has great stuff, but giving up 2 top prospects and a PTBNL is more than I would give up for him and Lowell's albatross contract. Would you have given up Markakis, Penn, and a PTBNL for those 2? I would bomb the warehouse if they did that deal!

And there's a story on ESPN.com right now (too lazy to go grab the link) about Ortiz saying he does not think Manny will be back.

I'm hearing that things will get a little crazy for the O's come the meetings, as in Byrd, Millwood, and a big bat through a trade. We shall see.

To answer your question, no I wouldn't trade Markakis, Penn and a PTBNL for those two, but mainly because the O's aren't able to sustain the same payroll as the Sox, and the Sox are currently a much more talented team at the major league level. The trick about this deal, Ramirez aside, the Sox didn't give up a Hayden Penn, they gave up a John Maine. They traded an unproven middle of the rotation pitching prospect with a history of arm problems and in return got a proven big game pitcher with ace potential. Yes they did have to take on Lowell's horrendous contract, but the Sox are one of the few teams in the league that can take a hit like that.

The Ortiz article is the most concrete indication I've seen to date that Manny might not be in Boston next season. The Sox may very well be trying as hard as they can to make a deal, but I guarantee they won't pull the trigger until they get adequate value in return. Thats not easy to do when trading a player of Manny's caliber. Not only must a team absorb presumedly a large portion of Manny's enormous contract, but they must also give up several talented players and/or prospects. We'll see if that ever happens.

Spiff, you make an excellent point about Renteria. If they were so high on Ramirez, and he was so close to being major league ready, why sign Renteria to a 4 yr $40 million deal?

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Espn.com's Sportsguy made a good point today, that the Sox wouldn't have signed Renteria if they were that high on Hanley Ramirez.

I've heard this before, and I completely agree. But then again, the Sox and Yanks have both become more about the sexy signing than developing their young guys.

Maybe this is me being a snob here, and it probably is, but I just can't get excited about Byrd and Millwood. I know we have Mazzone and everything...but Millwoods slightly above average and Byrd is a #3.

Also agree. I'm not pumped about it either, but if we give them low salary one or two year deals, they'll be good moves. Byrd wasn't even a 3 in Anaheim's rotation, and Millwood is your dominate bad teams, disappear against good teams pitcher, hence his poor W-L record but good ERA this year.

I dunno, I just don't see the O's having an outstanding offseason. But this is me being disappointed with the prior offseasons only to get excited about baseball come spring, then have my hopes come crashing down when I realize the O's are a 73-78 win team.

But the meetings haven't even started yet and one half of the dunce GM team is gone, so maybe I shouldn't give up hope.

I only have hope this offseason because they cleaned most of the house, and because Angelos was talking a big game. Normally, he seems to keep quiet and Beattie was the one saying they gave fair offers to most of the big FAs. But a fair offer to Beattie ended up being about 66% of what the FA ended up signing for.

I don't want us to make any rash trades and give up our top prospects for guys like Delgado and Beckett, and I'm glad they're both off the market (although it would be nice if Beckett didn't go to Boston). We shouldn't trade for anybody who isn't a young stud or who is going to cost us multiple top prospects. The aging slugger experiment did not work, and Beckett's injury history is too long to trade more than 1 good prospect for. I'd rather them go for someone like Lyle Overbay in a trade.