Beckett Conundrum

In the wake of Justin Verlander getting himself a fat-ass payday, it left me thinking, "How does this affect Josh Beckett extension talks?"

To me, it doesn't affect it nearly as much as his statistical equal and best comparison-worthy teammate, John Lackey. John Lackey, is a year and a half older than Josh, and he just wrangled 82.5 million dollars out of Boston, the EXACT same as AJ Burnett did in the Bronx. So realistically that should be where Beckett's agent starts the conversation and if I were his agent I wouldn't budge from that number.

But, let's say that I am Theo and the Red Sox front office. You can't have Lackey and Beckett be eligible for Free Agency in the same year, you just can't do it…but you also have to take into account that Lester is signed through 2013 with an option (no-brainer) for 2014. So realistically you don't want to put he and Lackey in the same boat because at those ages, you're MOST LIKELY not going to want to sign either of them to any sort of deal more than a year at a time. You COULD put Lester and Beckett in the same year because given the age difference between the two they would obviously keep Lester barring some sort of injuries for #31 or some Herculean performances for 4+ years out of #19.

If I'm starting talks with Beckett I'm giving him 3 years Guaranteed with two option years, at the same price that Lackey is getting. You're unlikely to get a discount this go-round with JB, so the salary almost HAS to be the same unless your deal includes an escalating salary. So you could either go 16.5/yr for three years with a 17 and 18-million dollar options (have to give him something to sweeten the pot to sign a shorter guaranteed deal) or you could go 4 years at 16.5 mil with a mutual option for 2 different prices. Probably 18 for the team and 13 for the player. Something along those lines.

You would really have to play off that you plan on having him retire as a Red Sox, for him to sign the shorter deal, with a promise that you just want to allocate your funds each year so that you don't lose too many "Front-Line" starters at once. If I'm Beckett I go with the first deal. But what are your thoughts?

• 3 years (Guaranteed), 16.5 mil/yr with 2 player options (if he outperforms his current salary this will enable him to hit the market again at age 32)for 17-mil and 18-mil in consecutive years. {With Oblique and shoulder provisions of course}
  
• 4 years (guaranteed), 16.5 mil/yr with a mutual option for the team at 18 mil and himself at 14. {With Oblique and Shoulder provisions of course}
  

Would love to hear what you all think in the comments?

Stay Tuned

Ryan