It started with the text message Theo sent to reassure Josh Beckett once the Red Sox signed John Lackey and will continue throughout the season until an agreement is reached.  Yesterday Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe speculated that Beckett would not be offered as much money as Lackey signed for:

but think more along the lines of Roy Halladay's three-year, $60 million extension, minus $6 million-$8 million. That’s about as long a deal as the Sox would feel comfortable with.

The Josh Beckett contract situation could become a major distraction throughout the season if the sides do not get it worked out this spring.  The Red Sox have a history of letting veteran players walk before offering big money long term extensions, so there is a good possibility that this is Beckett's last season in Boston.

UPDATE: Curt Schilling chimed in on the issue today:

You lock Josh up you lock up the top 3 spots in your rotation (well 4 if you don’t trade Clay) for the next 3-5 years, and each of those spots is occupied by a 1 or a 2. In the AL East you go into each season with a legitimate shot at winning it all with that mix.

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