CENTER FIELD :: The Sky Is Falling!

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The Sky Is Falling!

Since the Super Bowl passed us by yesterday (I know certain fans are trying to avoid mention of that event right now), we've officially entered The Lull- the period when there is next-to-nothing going on in the sports world except random basketball games and fake sports like "soccer" and "hockey".*
*Kidding!**
** Sort of.

I guess that also means it's time for everyone to start dreaming up stuff to freak out over, since there's no actual baseball news and P&C is still 10 days away. Things like a tiny little tidbit in Peter Gammons' latest article, which has apparently caused several writers to start wringing their hands with worry:

We'd better enjoy Josh Beckett the next three years. Because we won't be able to sign him after his deal is up after 2010.

Why? Why wouldn't we be able to sign him? I can think of three reasons:

1. He is injured or sucks - in which case, why would the Sox want him?
2. He develops a hatred for Boston - in which case, why would the Sox want him?
3. The Sox can't afford him - which is a preposterous load of bull.

The Sox are not poor orphans in rags with no money to spend. They operate under the second-highest payroll in baseball, and have demonstrated that when there's a player they want (Manny, Dice-K), they are more than willing to pony up the cash. If this is Gammons trying to dredge up the old "POOR SOX!" routine, it makes no sense-- and no one can seriously work themselves up into a tizzy worrying that the Red Sox can't afford to bring Beckett back (especially considering Manny's salary will be off the books by then). I find it extremely hard to believe anyone in the front office is operating under this kind of thinking, either; it's a holdover woe-is-me attitude that is neither accurate nor becoming on the new era Sox. This is not the Way Of The Theo.

This is what we've come to? People are going to go all Chicken Little on Josh Beckett THREE YEARS in advance? Perhaps a giant pill of chill is in order.

Also, I wish Gammons would let go of this ridiculous notion that Josh is bitter about his contract, and looking to get out at any available opportunity. Josh is not an idiot- coming off of a rather mediocre year for him, he got an extension that offered him security and a very nice paycheck, and he signed the deal with eyes wide open. Josh has also never demonstrated himself to be some kind of greed-filled person, and has specifically refuted any notion of being unsatisfied with his place or with his contract. Josh and the rest of these guys want to get paid, no doubt-- but he's not sitting around in a dark room plotting how to escape the clutches of the Sox.

So as a matter of fact I will enjoy Josh Beckett the next three years. I will enjoy having a killer ace on the staff during the prime of his career, and at a price that is FAR under his market value. If he gets hurt or starts to suck or becomes a clubhouse cancer, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But any goofball who is going to run around screaming that the sky is going to fall on our heads in three years is (1) a masochist, (2) an idiot, (3) wrong.

Comments (17)

[ Margaret ] says:
on February 4, 2008 1:24 PM

Yeah, I saw this and I was utterly baffled.

I mean, I know yesterday put everyone in New England into a spiraling depression, but let's at least attempt to keep our heads attached.

CALM DOWN. Deep breaths. No need for reactionary panic.

ALSO--can I put out an announcement to all you Super Tuesday state readers-- please vote tomorrow!

[ Texas Gal ] says:
on February 4, 2008 1:30 PM

I think Josh is Gammons' little binky - and he gets nervous when he starts to think about a future with no Becketty Boo in the rotation. I can relate to the binky feelings, Gammons - but you've got to RELAX, man.

[ Margaret ] says:
on February 4, 2008 1:41 PM

Seriously--Gammons' little binky? Try half the city of Boston's, if not more.

I don't think he calls him Becketty Boo though. He should, but I don't think he does. God, can you imagine what Josh would do if someone called him that at a press conference?

[ Texas Gal ] says:
on February 4, 2008 1:44 PM

If given the opportunity, I would totally call Josh "Becketty Boo" in a press conference.

"So, Becketty Boo - tell me about that fastball low and away you threw down 3-1 in the count."

[ Ian ] says:
on February 4, 2008 1:45 PM

Hey soccer is a real sport. I played for about 25 years. I will admit it can be boring though to watch on the tele.

I'm with you Texy. How can a Red Sox official say that they can't afford Beckett? The Sox will probably take their usual wait-and-see approach during the 2010 season and see how he pitches. At 31 years old in the 2011 season, I'd have to think Beckett will probably have 4 or 5 good seasons left in him.

[ mouse ] says:
on February 4, 2008 2:44 PM

Gammo was the one who originally brought about this "fear" when the Red Sox were supposedly in the lead for Johan Santana. And he continued to beat this drum even after Beckett himself said, point blank, that he didn't care about Santana's salary.

So, there you go. As for the unnamed Red Sox official whom we're led to believe said that to Gammons (*cough*), I have to think it was either a bitter Larry Lucchino or someone making a half-assed joke at Gammo's expense. Either way, it's bunk.

Assuming Beckett's still healthy and pitching well by the end of 2009, my bet is that the Red Sox will work to extend him a second time before his FA even comes. And you're not going to convince me that Boston couldn't work out a deal with him if they really wanted to.

Is it Spring Training yet? Argh.

[ Meg ] says:
on February 4, 2008 3:25 PM

The only time Beckett has ever evidenced any sort of "greed" are those stories about when he was signing his first contract right out of HS...high school! Since then, he has been as humble as I think he could possibly be regarding salary stuff, from the stuff about how he makes "plenty of money" when asked about Santana's potential contract, to saying how he shouldn't feel bad he got traded since anyone making the money he was shouldn't complain about their job.

The Sox have him locked up for the next three years, and a TON of stuff can change in that time...if they do decide to part ways then, I'm sure there will be good reasons behind it, and I will just hope that Beckett doesn't go to that evil team from the Bronx. If he isn't extended by the beginning of '10, then writers can start worrying and speculating...until then, it's just filler.

[ Texas Gal ] says:
on February 4, 2008 3:57 PM

Josh and his "PHENOM" letter jacket was more of a cocky asshole thing, rather than a greed thing. He's got his giant ranch, his giant San Antonio home, his giant Houston home, and 800 hemp necklaces. What else does he need?

But, yeah- that's what got to me when reading the reports on Gammons' piece: why are people freaking out about this now?

[ Texas Gal ] says:
on February 4, 2008 3:57 PM

Also: Ian - I keed about soccer. SORT OF. ;)

[ Liza ] says:
on February 4, 2008 4:22 PM

P&C R in 10 days... I've been counting down, day by day, since it was at 58 (by accident, for the record). It's so close--SO close--and yet it's still not here. Why, WHY, must you move so slowly, calendar?!

[ Texas Gal ] says:
on February 4, 2008 4:25 PM

I can't decide if it has been awesome having that countdown to P&C running at the top of my main page... or torturous. I think I put that countdown timer up there back in November... can't believe it's already February.

[ sda ] says:
on February 4, 2008 4:33 PM

I started counting down at my desk at work from 106 days (how sick is that!!), so 10 is sounding pretty good. The last 10 will seem like an eternity because there's nothing else going on. Maybe we'll have pictures or stories of a few early arrivals by the weekend.

[ fc ] says:
on February 4, 2008 4:57 PM

Geez, I panic about everything and even I am not worried about Josh. (I refuse to say "Becketty Boo" and "binky" in the same post.) I mean, I totally get the whole worried-about-your-binky thing, but we should all have the luxury of not having to worry for 3 YEARS! Give me a break.

It was so somber here today. So every time I heard a sad Super Bowl conversation I'd butt in with "Pitchers and catchers report next week!" That was not well received by everyone, although it did garner one comparison of me to Jimmy Fallon's character in Fever Pitch. Which is totally inaccurate, I've never liked Drew Barrymore.

[ Huck8467 ] says:
on February 4, 2008 5:33 PM

I couldn't get past the part about hockey being a fake sport. What???

I saw this and the Sox are saving their pennies on his contract now to pay him then. No worries. Unless of course he loses "IT'...which will never happen.

[ Liza ] says:
on February 4, 2008 5:54 PM

Oh, fc, don't worry--I've drawn many comparisons to Jimmy Fallon's character. And I'm 16 years younger and female. (And sadly don't have season tickets...)

[ Rob ] says:
on February 4, 2008 7:05 PM

Beckett will still be able to cash in a big deal after this one is over. He'll be 30, which is usually a peak year for most pitchers, and will still command a serious deal.

Where does Gammons get this stuff? I think smart guys just lose their brain when they go to ESPN. Then, there's John Kruk....

[ Okie Sox Fan ] says:
on February 5, 2008 7:24 AM

Texas Gal,

ITA about Gammons and his weird depiction of Beckett and $$$.... Where is THAT coming from?

Actually, as long as the Sox stay competitive, I think Beckett would want to stay in Boston. Wasn't there an article on Red Sox.com in June (?) about how much he liked playing for a winning team? And how much it sucked playing for the Marlins when they became losers? Beckett loves that postseason rush -- if he can get it on the Sox, he might not be that concerned about the $$$.

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