Josh Beckett Has No Knowledge Of Pending Extension

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:

Speaking after his Tuesday morning workout at City of Palms Park, Josh Beckett said that he has not heard from his agent, Michael Moye, that any agreement on a contract extension is imminent. The Red Sox’ Opening Day pitcher explained that he has put a system in place throughout negotiations that doesn’t allow Moye to weigh the hurler down with information regarding talks unless information is needed or a deal is imminent.

Beckett said as of Tuesday early afternoon he was unaware of many of the specifics cited in an ESPN report stated a deal might be a nearing, or other reports that the suggest the Sox have offered the hurler a four-year deal and that the team was wary of offering a fifth year due to concerns regarding his right shoulder.

“It forces me not to speculate. I let other people speculate. I don’t speculate. I go off of what I know and I don’t know anything,” Beckett said. “I move forward with today.

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.

Beckett was strong in his last spring training outing on Monday, allowing two earned runs, six hits and he struck out eight in six innings of work. It was Beckett’s last game before he kicks off Opening Night against the Yankees on Sunday.