The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and pitcher Josh Beckett off of waivers Friday fueling speculation that both players will be dealt, reports FoxSports.com.
If both players are traded, the Dodgers would assume more than $253 million in salary.
ESPN.com is reporting that the Red Sox are “closing in” on a deal to send Gonzalez, Beckett outfielder Carl Crawford and utility player Nick Punto to the Dodgers.
The Red Sox do have the rights to either pull Gonzalez and Beckett back or allow them and their contracts to go to the Dodgers. If a trade is not completed within the next 48-72 hours, both players would stay put. The waiver deadline is August 31.
Gonzalez signed a seven-year, $154 million extension in April 2011 after being traded in December 2010. Gonzalez leads the Red Sox in batting average, RBIs, on-base percentage and hits this season.
“Waiver questions? I’m not talking about that,” Gonzalez said when asked about the report.
Beckett is 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 21 starts this season. In three starts this month, he has allowed 18 earned runs in 16.1 innings. Beckett is in the second year of a four-year, $68 million deal.
Crawford signed a 7-year, $142-million contract in 2010 and recently had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.