Beckett Trade

What is it about Thanksgiving and the Red Sox going after pitching? For the second time in three years, the Boston Red Sox have worked out a deal to bring in a hard throwing right handed starting pitcher for the front of their rotation the week of Thanksgiving. In 2003 it was Curt Schilling from Arizona. Today it is Josh Beckett from Florida. Will this Turkey Day surprise benefit Red Sox Nation like Schilling's? Only time will tell. But for now this move must bring happiness to Sox fans all over. After the Theo/Lucchino saga that played out after the Red Sox were swept by the White Sox in the ALDS, many members of R.S.N. were wondering if the 2004 World Series was the peak of the mountain and that if everything after that would be a hard fall of the top. Now some feelings are being smoothed. Not to say Beckett guarantees the Sox 3 World Series titles over the next 10 years -- he has a history of blister problems on his right hand, a sure WEEI "Whiner Line" parody in the making -- but he is certainly a step in the right direction if you are a Boston fan. Also in this deal the Sox get third baseman Mike Lowell ... and his $18-million for the next two years. Lowell was once a top player in the National League but injuries played a part in a terrible 2005 season (.236 BA, 8 HR, 58 RBI, .298 OBP). With Lowell there is the hope that he can bounce back at the plate and at least he will bring Gold Glove-caliber defense to third base. In exchange for Beckett and Lowell, the Red Sox sent prospects Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez to the Marlins. Ramirez, a shortstop, has been highly touted in the Boston system for the last four years but he has never played any meaningful baseball above Double-A and has never had a fantastic season. Ramirez could be a star but he's starting to lean towards Frankie Rodriguez-ville. Sanchez, a brilliant pitching prospect, is a young arm with potential but right now the Red Sox can't wait on his promise. The bottom line is that to get something of value (Beckett) you need to do some unpleasant things (take on Lowell's contract, trade top prospects). Forget the General Manager search -- which should just go to either Jed Hoyer or Peter Woodfork at this point (more on that over the weekend) -- is it time for pitchers and catchers to report to Ft. Myers yet?