Beckett Extension Talks Going Well

[Imperial59]

SARASOTA - An amicable start to contract talks between the Red Sox and Josh Beckett has created optimism that the two sides might be able to reach an agreement before Beckett reaches free-agency.

 

"Hopeful," said a source familiar with the talks, who confirmed early talks had been productive.

 

The Red Sox signed John Lackey to a five-year, $82 million deal in the offseason which included an unsuual provision where Lackey would have to pitch a sixth year at the major league minimum salary if at anytime during the contract he underwent Tommy John surgery. The Sox have shoulder protection on J.D. Drew but weren't able to secure a medical provision on Jason Bay's deal.

 

Beckett would likely have to go along with medical language on his right shoulder. Is he willing to do it? That is the question.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/03/optimism_on_bec.html

 

If we can get some protection against his shoulder in the contract, I'm all for it. I suggested that the Sox should work in a shoulder clause to any perspective deal when we discussed the merits of signing Beckett vs. Lee.

[a700hitter]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/03/optimism_on_bec.html

 

If we can get some protection against his shoulder in the contract, I'm all for it. I suggested that the Sox should work in a shoulder clause to any perspective deal when we discussed the merits of signing Beckett vs. Lee.

This was already posted in the "Schilling: Sign Beckett -- Now" thread.

[Imperial59]

This was already posted in the "Schilling: Sign Beckett -- Now" thread.

 

Since that thread pretty much died out after turning into a Beckett vs. Lee pissing contest, I thought this might warrant it's own thread.

[a700hitter]

Since that thread pretty much died out after turning into a Beckett vs. Lee pissing contest' date=' I thought this might warrant it's own thread.[/quote']This thread died after the initial post.

[italstallianion]

Do you think Beckett will sign a contract with a shoulder-protection clause? With that said, if the Sox are somehow able to balance the money and keep our rotation of what it is currently, then that would be amazing. Granted we are going to have some dead weight contracts off of our books (Lowell, Ortiz etc) however I think it might be better to replace those contracts with offensive production rather than more pitching, but that depends highly on what's available and at what cost. I trust the Red Sox staff to make the right decisions though.

[Imperial59]

Do you think Beckett will sign a contract with a shoulder-protection clause? With that said' date=' if the Sox are somehow able to balance the money and keep our rotation of what it is currently, then that would be amazing. Granted we are going to have some dead weight contracts off of our books (Lowell, Ortiz etc) however I think it might be better to replace those contracts with offensive production rather than more pitching, but that depends highly on what's available and at what cost. I trust the Red Sox staff to make the right decisions though.[/quote']

 

I think it will come down to whether the Red Sox would rather sign Beckett to a slight home town discount, or overpay him to sign him to a contract with a shoulder clause. Then again, Beckett might be too stubborn to accept such an offer. But the Red Sox appear to be in a position of leverage here with Cliff Lee available on the free agent market next year. They could theoretically let Beckett walk after the year and sign Lee.

[italstallianion]

I wonder if there's anything preventing collusion from team's basically exchanging Type A FA's (ie Beckett and Lee) in order to gain draft picks. Theoretically it'd work.

[Imperial59]

I wonder if there's anything preventing collusion from team's basically exchanging Type A FA's (ie Beckett and Lee) in order to gain draft picks. Theoretically it'd work.

 

It doesn't make sense for teams to do that because when a team gains a draft pick by offering arbitration to a Type A free agent, they then lose a draft pick by signing a Type A free agent. And when a team loses a Type A free agent, they get the top draft pick from the team that signed him (assuming it's not protected). So one of the teams would be getting a bum deal because they'd be giving away their higher spot in the draft to the other team.

[italstallianion]

It doesn't make sense for teams to do that because when a team gains a draft pick by offering arbitration to a Type A free agent' date=' they then lose a draft pick by signing a Type A free agent. And when a team loses a Type A free agent, they get the top draft pick from the team that signed him (assuming it's not protected). So one of the teams would be getting a bum deal because they'd be giving away their higher spot in the draft to the other team.[/quote']

 

 

 

You're missing the fact that both would get Type A supplemental picks in addition to the opposing team's first rounder. So if Boston and Seattle exchanged Beckett and Lee, they would switch first rounders (if both aren't protected or going to another club) and they would both get an early supplemental pick. So while one team would get a worse first round pick, it would benefit from an extra pick in the supplementary round.

 

The pick comes from the league rather than from a particular team, so by doing this, extra picks are created and then given to the two teams involved.

[Imperial59]

You're missing the fact that both would get Type A supplemental picks in addition to the opposing team's first rounder. So if Boston and Seattle exchanged Beckett and Lee, they would switch first rounders (if both aren't protected or going to another club) and they would both get an early supplemental pick. So while one team would get a worse first round pick, it would benefit from an extra pick in the supplementary round.

 

The pick comes from the league rather than from a particular team, so by doing this, extra picks are created and then given to the two teams involved.

 

I understand that they'd each gain a sandwich pick. But I doubt a team would be willing to give up their higher first round draft pick to gain a sandwich pick. Plus, whose to say that when the teams agree to "trade" players via free agency, that one of the players won't decide to sign a contract with a third team?

[RWTP24]

I would not mind the Sox signing him right now, but I have a feeling they are going to wait and see what Buchholz does this year.

[BoSox21]

FWIW, 10:30am press conference at City of Palms this morning. Speculation is that it COULD be Beckett-related.

 

EDIT: Nevermind, Rob Bradford says it isn't Beckett or Lowell-related

[jacksonianmarch]

Beckett would be downright moronic to accept an injury clause, especially since he could hit the jackpot without such a clause with one more good season. Also, I am not buying the Lackey-Beckett love connection here either. Lets see how much they love each other when the season is in full force. Everyone is in a good mood in the spring. Lets see how they love life when the season rolls upon us.

 

I still think that Beckett could easily eclipse Lackey money on the open market. And seeing as he signed a pretty team friendly deal a few yrs back, I wouldnt be surprised if he goes for a max deal this time around

[Dojji]

I think Jacko's right here. Beckett > Lackey, Beckett money > Lackey money. Maybe not by a ton in either case, but by enough.

[BoSox21]

It's entirely debatable as to who's better between Lackey and Beckett anyway, when you factor in both performance and durability. Even in postseason stats, there isn't as much disparity between the two as one might think. My point is, Lackey's contract seems to be a pretty good benchmark as to what Beckett might expect.

[jacksonianmarch]

Beckett, when he is healthy, is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Lackey is not in Beckett's league. Beckett was the main contributor to two title runs simply because he got hot at the right time, and a hot Beckett is untouchable. One more healthy season gets Beckett a 5-6 yr deal in the 20 mil range per season. Someone will be looking to make a splash, I promise you that, and if Beckett hits the open market, I have a feeling he walks

[RedSoxFan1983]

We need Beckett, GET HIM SIGNED!!!

[Dipre]

Beckett' date=' when he is healthy, is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Lackey is not in Beckett's league. Beckett was the main contributor to two title runs simply because he got hot at the right time, and a hot Beckett is untouchable. One more healthy season gets Beckett a 5-6 yr deal in the 20 mil range per season. Someone will be looking to make a splash, I promise you that, and if Beckett hits the open market, I have a feeling he walks[/quote']

 

So you're implying someone might give Beckett a six year, 120 million dollar guaranteed deal?

 

Wishful thinking. Even for you.

[YeAuldBroade]

Oh just sign him already

[BecKett]

Just sign the guy. He's been outstanding for us. The last thing in the world I would want to see is someone else sign Lee and we're left with a pissed off Beckett who might walk regardless.

 

Sign him.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Just sign the guy. He's been outstanding for us. The last thing in the world I would want to see is someone else sign Lee and we're left with a pissed off Beckett who might walk regardless.

 

Sign him.

He's had one 'outstanding' year in Boston. Out of four. Why the front office isn't taking that into consideration while negotiating what's likely to be an elite pitcher contract, I have no clue. The last thing they should be doing is taking his carrot (potential free agency at season's end) off the stick.

[Palodios]

They want to give Beckett a contract like Burnett/Lackey, but for some reason I don't see him wanting that. Call it a hunch, but I think he believes that the intangibles and his ability to anchor a team makes him worth the sixth year, and that's where the negotiation is.

[BoSox21]

I personally think the Sox FO expected more from Beckett to this point to give him the kind of contract he's looking for so that's where I think problems will arise.