Ben to Beckett: Where are you willing to go? Let’s talk…

It doesn’t matter if Josh Beckett is pitching like sh*t intentionally or unconsciously—either way, he’s got to go.

With Valentine manning the rudder, the Sox boat needs the entire team rowing to have a chance for the playoffs, but, as long as Beckett is rowing in the opposite direction, the team will remain in a circle pattern and last place.

Beckett can’t even see that, if he wants out of Boston, pitching badly runs his trade value down and makes it less likely he will be traded.

It is past time for this meeting to happen:

GM BEN: Thanks for taking the time away from your golf game to meet with me, Josh.
AGENT: We’re looking forward to getting this problem resolved for the benefit of the club and Josh.
JOSH:    Tell, Valentine I need to skip another start; I have a blister on my thumb.
GM BEN: [PRIVATE THOUGHT] Must be all that gaming…
AGENT: Well, Ben, as we discussed, Josh and I have come up with a list of teams that he is willing to go to in a trade…
GM BEN: OK, let’s take a look…
JOSH: And, there better be a good golf course nearby…
GM BEN: I see…Texas, Detroit, Tampa, Cleveland, Miami, Washington, St. Louis, Los Angeles…Is this in order of preference?
AGENT: Yes. And Texas is a real favorite. He owns Herradura Ranch, 7,000 acres for deer-hunting near  Cotulla, Texas.
JOSH: Yeah, I can stay there when the Rangers are at home.
GM BEN: [PRIVATE THOUGHT] Maybe if he pitched from the middle of that ranch, he could keep his HR count down…
AGENT: We tried to give you some flexibility…So…
GM BEN: I see…Well, OK then, let me make some inquiries and see what we can come up with…
The three stand up and Ben shakes the hand of the agent; he reaches to shake Beckett’s hand, but Josh pulls it back.
JOSH: No offense. I just don’t want to injure this thumb any more…Oh, tell Valentine, I need to go on the DL for 15 days…
AGENT: We’re going to pick up some chicken and beer and head out for some sky diving lessons…Want to join us?
GM BEN: Sounds like fun, but it is specifically prohibited in my contract…
AGENT: Understood. Well, we will look forward to hearing from you soon…

Josh and his agent leave the office. Ben picks up the phone and buzzes his Administrative Assistant.

GM BEN: Get Earl Nash over here, ASAP!

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