<TABLE width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=vaLabel vAlign=top rowSpan=5 width=100 align=middle>
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Talks between Beckett, Red Sox progressing </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Josh Beckett - S - BOS - Mar. 10 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Contract talks between the Red Sox and right-hander Josh Beckett are progressing, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
Heyman cites "baseball people" who believe the deal may take a few weeks to get done, but that optimism for a deal is high. Beckett, who turns 30 in May, had his $12 million option for 2010 vest last season, but he can be a free agent at the completion of this season. If the Red Sox wanted to lock him up, they'd likely have to give him a comparable deal to what they gave John Lackey this winter. They'll probably have to act fast, too, as Beckett has previously stated that he would like to avoid contract talks during the season.
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
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Heyman cites "baseball people" who believe the deal may take a few weeks to get done, but that optimism for a deal is high. Beckett, who turns 30 in May, had his $12 million option for 2010 vest last season, but he can be a free agent at the completion of this season. If the Red Sox wanted to lock him up, they'd likely have to give him a comparable deal to what they gave John Lackey this winter. They'll probably have to act fast, too, as Beckett has previously stated that he would like to avoid contract talks during the season.
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
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