Josh Beckett's is not one of them.
But even though keeping Beckett in a Red Sox uniform through 2010 is a no-brainer for general manager Theo Epstein and company, that doesn't mean there are no questions left to be answered. It's a long winter ahead, and the team could take this opportunity to talk to Beckett about his long-term future in Beantown.
When Beckett arrived in Boston prior to the 2006 season, he quickly sat down with the Red Sox to talk about a contract extension. He agreed to terms on a three-year extension in July of 2006, working out a $30 million deal to remain in Boston through 2009. The deal also included a club option for 2010, giving the Red Sox the right to extend him for $12 million or buy him out for $2 million.
After a productive first four seasons in Boston, Beckett has earned the right to stick around. It's a foregone conclusion that the Red Sox will hold onto him for the time being. But what about 2011 and beyond?
Beckett will turn 30 next May. He's not the young stud he was when the Red Sox first pursued him, but he's still at the top of his game and showing no signs of slowing. A pitcher of Beckett's ilk — a prototypical power pitcher — may not be guaranteed to age well. For every workhorse like Nolan Ryan, there are a whole lot of flameouts like Sandy Koufax. But as the power-pitcher breed goes, Beckett is best in breed. The Red Sox should do whatever they can to keep him around.
All things considered, Beckett has been a bargain of a top-line starting pitcher. For an average of $10 million a season, the Red Sox have an ace — that's considerably less than GMs are shelling out these days for marquee names like CC Sabathia, Barry Zito and Carlos Zambrano.
For their money, the Red Sox have gotten one of the game's most reliable starting pitchers. Like clockwork, Beckett makes his 30 starts a year for the Sox, averaging 181 strikeouts in 198 innings per season. It's hard to put a price on the durability that Beckett brings to the table.
In four seasons, Beckett has won 65 games in a Red Sox uniform with an ERA of 4.05. He's been the team's go-to guy on Opening Day every season. And more importantly, he's been the man to turn to in October.
Beckett's postseason resume is what makes him truly stand out. In 14 career playoff games, Beckett is 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA. He carried the Red Sox in the 2007 postseason, going 4-0 and allowing just four earned runs all October. He's far from over the hill, and you never know when he'll break out with another dazzling postseason.
The case for keeping Beckett around is clear. The Red Sox' ace of the past four years should remain a Red Sox ace well into the next decade — all Theo Epstein has to do is sit down and work out a deal. Beckett is obviously open to signing an extension in Boston — after all, he's done it before.
In Josh Beckett, the Red Sox have the ultimate workhorse and the ultimate competitor. That's an asset worth paying for. The team has all winter to do so.
