Josh Beckett has also reportedly been claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting up an interesting 72 hours of talks between Boston and L.A.
The Dodgers claimed the right-hander on Friday, according to CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam, and FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal later confirmed that report. That follows on the heels of the news that the Dodgers have also claimed Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez off waivers, meaning that both players could be headed West.
But there are also rumors swirling that the Dodgers and Red Sox are "close" on a blockbuster deal that will include Beckett, Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto.
The Red Sox will have 72 hours to either work out a deal with Los Angeles, release Beckett without receiving compensation — in which case the Dodgers will be on the hook for all of Beckett's remaining salary — or revoke the pitcher's waivers and keep him. However, Beckett also has 10-5 rights, which means he could nix any prospective deal similarly to turning down a trade.
Beckett indicated his preference to stay in Boston earlier this seaosn, but also admitted that "if people don't want you, you don't want to be there."
Whether the Red Sox now want Beckett or not should become clear in the next few days.
