Dealing With Aces

by Ben Barker

Editorial. Photos by AP News

As I watched Josh Beckett struggle to find the plate against the Yankees on opening night, I jokingly stated that he would be smart to accept the Red Sox four-year extension before he hit the showers.

Well, he did it.

Ok, so maybe not that soon, but the very next day Beckett and the Red Sox extended their partnership until at least the 2014 season. While the deal followed one of his worst outings as a Red Sox, the nation should be in a state of bliss.

Heading into the 2010 season, many called the Sox rotation the best in the majors. That’s great, but before Monday, it was a short-term statement. On opening night, the Red Sox were certain to have one year of Beckett, Lester, and Lackey. Now, they have at least four.

Red Sox Nation; we dodged a bullet.

Beckett’s four-year deal is worth $68 million dollars. That breaks down to $17 million a year. Now I know this sounds like an enormous deal, but Theo may have made like McDonalds and gotten more for his money.

If Epstein would have followed his past strategies and waited until the end of the season to make a bid for Beckett, he may as well have packed Josh’s bags for him. Yes, $17 million is a nice chunk of change, but in free agency, there is not doubt that someone would have showed him $20 million. For those who say he would have stuck with Boston regardless; I bet you said the same about Pedro, Damon and Bay didn’t you?

After catching some heat for the J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo, and Dice-K signings, Theo Epstein is making a bid for “comeback GM of the year.” Most General Managers have to deal with one guy that can call the “heart” of their team. Once that player is established, it is their first order of business to lock him up for... well, pretty much forever.

If that’s the case than the Red Sox are like a worm. Some may say it’s Youk, some say Pedroia, some may even make a case for Beckett. Regardless, Theo Epstein has locked up each of the “hearts” that allow the Red Sox to contend each year. Beckett, Lester, Youkilis, and Pedroia were all locked up before they got even a whiff of free agency.

Who is the fifth heart? (incase you didn't click on the link above, worms have five hearts. Get it? Discovery Channel - watch it sometime.) How about the captain? He may be playing a reduced role in 2010, but if you ask anyone on the roster you’ll be told that Jason Varitek’s presence will certainly be felt.

Of course, there will be plenty of questions surrounding the signing. Has Beckett peaked? Can he handle not being the ace? Will his velocity drop like Pedro’s did? The only way to find out is to wait and see. But if you ask Beckett, Lester or Lackey, they’ll all tell you the same thing: the big three are moving from the Garden to Fenway Park.

And as for Buchholz? Well, he'll eventually make like Rondo and begin the "Big Four" in a couple years. Assuming he stays that is - Theo seems to have taken a liking to this Gonzalez character - but we won't get into that now.

Until then though, at least the kid's got a career in acting for the time being: