Josh Beckett

Josh Beckett needs 10 more starts this season to guarantee his $12 million 2010 option. However, the Red Sox like to rest their starters to make sure they are fresh for the playoffs. My guess is that sometime soon the Red Sox announce that they are picking up the 2010 option no matter what and are also looking at an extension for Beckett but that negotiations won't commence until after the season.

$12 million for a healthy Beckett is cheap and I'm guessing the Red Sox are trying to wait as long as possible to make sure he doesn't blow out his arm or anything. They won't wait too long though because they probably don't want to make this an issue like Pedro's option became a couple of years ago.