Beckett trade on hold through holiday

11/23/2005
BOSTON -- While Red Sox fans continue to salivate over the seemingly inevitable prospect of right-hander Josh Beckett coming on board in a trade with the Marlins, it now appears that the deal won't be announced until sometime after Thanksgiving.
The sides tentatively agreed on Monday to an exchange in which Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell would come to the Red Sox, while prospects Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez and Jesus Delgado would go to Florida.
The Red Sox were expected to get extensive medical records on Beckett and Lowell from the Marlins during the early part of Wednesday. Red Sox medical director Thomas Gill likely spent a large portion of his day poring over those records to make sure there were no red flags.
With the Red Sox dealing away two of their best prospects in Ramirez and Sanchez, it is understandable for them to be so thorough in their research before officially signing off on the deal.
Meanwhile, as of Wednesday afternoon, Beckett still hadn't been notified by the Red Sox that he could be joining them.
"Nobody has called me, I have no news," Beckett told WHDH-TV in Boston. "All I know is what I've heard from friends."
This isn't the first time the Red Sox have had a major deal looming over Thanksgiving. Two years ago, they came to terms with the Diamondbacks on a trade for Curt Schilling, and former general manager Theo Epstein actually spent Thanksgiving at the Schilling household in Arizona persuading the big right-hander to accept a contract extension and waive his no-trade clause.
The Red Sox were successful that time around, announcing the deal the day after Thanksgiving. This time, there is no contract extension or trade clause to deal with. It is simply a matter of the Red Sox and Marlins signing off on the deal and making it official.
Barring something unexpected, there will be an announcement in the coming days, whether it is on Friday or early next week.
One player who isn't likely to be with the Red Sox in 2006 gave the proposed deal a thumbs-up. Free agent first baseman Kevin Millar teamed with both Beckett and Lowell in Florida before becoming Boston's primary first baseman the last three seasons.
"This guy is special," Millar said of Beckett. "That's the bottom line. His makeup is special. I think it's a huge addition. I think Mikey Lowell will bounce back in a change of scenery and absolutely dominate, and I think he's very excited to be a Red Sox."
As busy as things have been for the Red Sox, they've been perhaps even more hectic for the Marlins, who also are in the process of sending slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado to the Mets in a deal that is also contingent on medical clearance. In addition, the Marlins announced on Tuesday that they will seek relocation opportunities, because they've been unsuccessful getting a new stadium deal in Miami.
The Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox were granted a 72-hour window from Major League Baseball -- which is pretty standard -- to read the medical reports and, if necessary, conduct physicals.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, a source close to Beckett said that a physical had not been arranged for the right-hander. It could well be that after Gill and his staff go through all his records, a physical -- which is necessary for free agents but not trade acquisitions -- wouldn't be needed.
When the Marlins fell out of the National League Wild Card race, Beckett, in a precautionary measure, opted to skip his final two starts because he was feeling stiffness and fatigue in his shoulder. He said that he likely could have pitched if a postseason berth was on the line.
After the season ended, Beckett had his shoulder inspected by renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews and was given a clean bill of health.
Because the 72-hour window technically expires on Thursday's holiday, Major League Baseball would likely grant the teams until Friday to sign off on the deal.
Beckett and Lowell have been in frequent contact since rumor of the trade spread like wildfire on Monday. Though they both are said to be excited about the prospect of coming to the Red Sox, they can't do anything now but wait it out.
"I've been talking to Mikey like every hour," Beckett said in his interview with WHDH-TV sports director Joe Amorosino. "If we go to Boston next year, Mikey is going to tear it up, mark my words."
An eager Red Sox Nation hopes to get the chance to find out.

Source: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/