A man for next season

So, despite the front office turmoil, the Red Sox have managed to pull off a great deal - they've acquired RHP Josh Beckett from the Florida Marlins. According to Chris Snow in the Boston Globe:

Beckett, who will turn 26 in May, went 15-8 with a 3.38 ERA in 29 starts in 2005, and in 103 career starts over four-plus seasons, he is 41-34 with a 3.46 ERA, all with Florida, the team that drafted him second overall in 1999.

There are some concerns about his time on the DL this year, although it sounds as though it was for recurrent blisters rather than shoulder or arm problems. I hate they we had to give up Henley Ramirez - but many saw the writing on the wall when the Sox signed Renteria. I think they were trying to move Ramirez over to second - where we need someone - but I've also heard whispers that he was a bit of a discipline problem. Of course, he's young, but...

Even the sometimes cranky Herald had some complimentary things to say:

The deal for Beckett would be an enormous coup for the Sox for an assortment of reasons. Despite operating without a general manager in the wake of Theo Epstein’s departure, the Sox will have acquired a pitcher who could be their ace for years to come

And he's easy on the eyes, too!

LATER: I put this in the comments section, but couldn't figure out how to do a link there. Anyway, Bill Simmons has a great column over at ESPN on why he loves this trade.