Josh Beckett Signs Extension

Josh Beckett signed with the Red Sox yesterday, a four year extension worth 68 million which will keep Beckett in a Sox uniform through 2014. Beckett who has been good if not great since 2007 was happy to be in Boston and in truth probably took a discount to stay here. The market is odd however and as he well knows pitchers have no sure success in staying away from long term injuries.

Beckett when he is on is one of the best in the game, he has proven he can handle Boston, and pitching in the AL East. Beckett has a chip on his shoulder and is one of the few Red Sox players who has the fire we old timers miss against the Yankees.

More important or as important is that the Red Sox now have a clear idea of the expense of their pitching staff for the next few years. Beckett and Lackey now along with Jon Lester are under the Red Sox control through 2014. Not many teams can say this and certainly not with pitchers of this caliber. With Clay Bucholz also far away from free agency and Casey Kelly soon to arrive the Red Sox are built to last.

While we never can predict injury at age 30 another five years of Beckett should prove to be a great signing