The Red Sox and Marlins have reached a tentative agreement on a trade that will send Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston for two prospects, shortstop Hanley Ramirez and right-hander Anibal Sanchez, plus another minor-league pitcher.
According to Peter Gammons, the deal is contingent on the completion of paperwork and all players passing physicals. Gammons said an official announcement is not expected until at least Tuesday, meaning that the deal could still fall apart.
Jayson Stark said the deal appears to be held up only by last-minute haggling over dollars. Florida will pick up an undetermined portion of the $18 million owed to Lowell over the next two seasons.
In return, the Red Sox will send their much heralded shortstop prospect Ramirez, as well as the highly touted Sanchez. According to Stark, the Marlins had originally sought left-hander Jon Lester, but the Sox balked at including him in the trade. Instead, Boston agreed to add a second, as yet unnamed, minor leaguer if Florida agreed to take Sanchez instead.
Lowell, who will be 32 next season, won the NL Gold Glove at third base last season. Though he had an uncharacteristically off year at the plate, hitting just .236 with eight homers and 58 RBI, it's worth noting that he averaged 24 homers and 94 RBI in the five previous seasons.
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