Sox Extend Themselves

Coming off a disappointing home series against Oakland, the Sox managed to sweep the Royals despite nonexistant offense for two of the three games. On Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon, the Sox won back to back 1-0 games in the Fens for the first time since 1916. Josh Beckett, with Doug Mirabelli as his battery mate, pitched a masterful game against a poor Kansas City offense. Still, he earned the win without allowing a home run, and managed to keep the batters off-balance by mixing in his curveball and changeup with his fastball.

Immediately after the game, Francona mentioned that he pitched so well that Theo gave him a three-year contract extension. Nobody took him serious... except, he was. Beckett will be with the Sox through 2009 for roughly $10 million per year, and there is a club option that automatically kicks in for 2010 should Beckett start a specific number of games in '08 or '09.

Without a doubt, this extension caught everyone in New England off guard, something that has been happening more and more in this, The Second Reign of Theo. We've all heard about the trouble that was created by all the leaks to the media, and as he promised, Theo has zipped the mouths of most organization officials. It's created an atmosphere of control in what used to be a three-ring circus. The professionalism of the public faces of the Red Sox has increased exponentially over the shenanigans of 2003-2005, and given recent revelations in Seth Mnookin's new book, this is the road management wanted to take (and by management, I mean Theo).

Ortiz, Crisp, and Beckett all signed extensions, and in my opinion they were all good deals for both the player and the team. Never more than 3 years and an option or so, the deals reflect intent on both sides to exist on common ground. All of these in-season signings have been handled very well, almost as if the front office learned it's lesson, acknowledging that players can perceive hesitation to even discuss contract status during the season.

While Beckett has been nowhere near the lights-out ace we hoped for upon his acquisition, he has pitched well. Most of the frustration directed at him seems to be more directed at the fact that he has not pitched efficiently, and indeed, sometimes not pitched at all, just thrown. His 27 HR allowed leads the majors, and his fastball has become a crutch during clutch situations. Still, Beckett is averaging close to 8 K's per game, and his WHIP is 1.29 (and a BABIP of .263), meaning he's doing a decent job (and being helped by the best Sox defense in years). Despite visible struggles adapting to the American League, Beckett is only 26 years old and screams "upside". Signing him makes complete sense, as it locks him up for the first 2 years of free agency at a price likely to be significantly below what he would command on the open market.

This is a signing RSN should be excited about.