Red Sox Lock Josh Beckett Up For Four More Years

According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox and Josh Beckett have agreed on a four-year contract extension worth $68 million.

Beckett struggled in the opener for the Red Sox on Sunday night, but he has been one of Boston’s most consistent starters since 2007. Beckett went 17-6 with a 3.86 ERA last season.

The Red Sox and Josh Beckett are close to finalizing a four-year contract extension worth close to $70 million, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman. Heyman tweets the announcement could come early next week.

Heyman also tweets that the Red Sox may be holding off on the contract extension to not affect their current tax situation.

For more on Beckett and his contract extension, visit SB Nation’s Over the Monster.

While ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting Josh Beckett and the Red Sox are close to a new contract, Beckett himself says he has no knowledge of a deal being close:

Beckett is expected to get a deal similar to that of John Lackey’s, who signed with the Red Sox over the off-season for five years, $82.5 million.

Read more about this offer at Sox blog Over The Monster.