Josh Beckett to the Red Sox

[sublime]

The Sox almost refused the deal based on health issues with Beckett, and demanded Mota as compensation.

i read that story also. even if thats true, i see it more as the sox playing hardball and extracting as much as possible. beckett was quoted as saying his last start last year was when his velocity was its highest.

mota seems like this years mantei, albeit with more upside. sadly, his bad year last year would have been very welcome on the sox staff.