If limp bats are fetching returns like that, just imagine what we could get for Kendall, the most flacid bat this side of the Mississip.

At the trade deadline everyone refused to give up ANY decent prospects. Everyone talked about how the game was changing so much with everyone wanting to build from within. Maybe that was just a little bit premature.

... this might look a lot better for them.

If they don't have a taker for Lowell, then they are basically agreeing to eat most of Lowell's contract and trade away two stellar prospects to get Beckett.

Still, if Beckett is healthy in '06, even if he only maintains last year's stats (29 starts, 180 IP, 15-8, 3.38 ERA)... having him in the rotation is huge, and might even be worth it if they get nothing out of Lowell.

They have Kevin Youkilus

    BoSox are the team to beat in 2006 at this point.  Neither of those guys were going to crack the lineup before 2007 (if ever), and adding Lowell (1 year removed from an 870 OPS) will make that lineup frightening, especially if Manny stays put. They have a hole in CF, but will find a solution by either resigning Damon or via trade.
   Their rotation is playoff ready.  Beckett could win 20 with that offense, but who cares?  This gives them a 1-2 punch like the 2001 D-backs come playoff time.  Every playoff series they play, the other team will have to take at least 1 from Schilling/Beckett and sweep Clement/Wells/Wakefield.  
   Finally (and most importantly), Zito's value is through the roof.  He's more proven, more durable, and arguably as good a pitcher.  The Marlins got 2 top prospects while still unloading Lowell's contract-Billy is licking his chops right now. If he could swing a deal for a young SP and a young power bat PLUS another prospect (which should be plausible, given this trade), I'd say go for it.

are prospects for a reason.  They haven't proven anything yet.  This may turn out to be a good trade for Boston, and it may turn out to be a steal for Florida.  We won't know for a year or more down the road.
For every Mark McGwire deal - nothing in return, there is a Doyle Alexander deal (Alexander for Smoltz for those of you too young to remember - Alexander won 7 games down the stretch and was largly responsible for the Tigers winning the East division pennant in '87).
Its just something to think about when you want to trade Zito for prospects.  You're not guaranteed anything, while, Zito guarantees (or as close as you can get) you innings and a 1 or 2 starter.  
Just food for thought.

this trade is thievery by the Red Sox.  Who cares about the 2 or 3 prospects they are giving up to the Marlins?  Those can be replaced in next years' draft or the one after.  Meanwhile, they get an ace in Beckett, who has pitched beautifully in the playoffs, IN Yankee stadium.

He will be a nice 2 years rental that will yield 2 draft picks himself if another team signs him away from Boston.  

Also, Mike Lowell, will definately be a better hitter than he was last year and hit for more power at the hot corner than Youkilis ever would.

In addition, it allows the BloSox to cut loose with has-beens like Millar, Olerud, Wells, and Mueller.

What's not to like about this trade from Boston's point of view?  They have plenty of money.

Beckett is probably the most overrated pitcher in the game today. If you look at his splits, he has had like a 4.5 road GPA last year. Take him out of Pro Player stadium and all you have is a average pitcher with a great fastball and a bunch of blisters. Trading Beckett with so many years and while still in the afterglow of the 2003 world series was a brilliant move IMO. And they dumped Lowell at the same time! Now, of course this hurts the fish for next year, but man. If you're gonna slash payroll that is the way to do it.

the kid who completely dominated the Yankees in the World Series? I know that according to some around here the World Series and playoffs in general are all based on luck but he seems pretty good to me. Or pretty lucky, which is even better.

In the long run, its probably going to look like the Marlins won big.

But next season, and maybe 07 too, the Red Sox will likely reap the benefits.

I can tell you he's not nearly as satisfying as he should be.

His pattern is that he's great for 4-5 starts, gets torched, and then, miracle of miracles, he's got a blister problem.

Personally, I think that he just timed one of his 40 inning hot streaks for the playoffs in 2003, and that his best value to a team would be as a dominant RP. But since he was the WS MVP, he won't get that opportunity until something else falls apart later.

He's also, of course, going to really enjoy watching those left-field outs in Miami turn into doubles and homers in Fenway.

Also, please note that Edgar Renteria murdered the Sox last year; didn't hit a lick, committed a ton of errors. And they just dealt the SS prospect that could have saved them from more of that.

This is not the new Clemens, coming to absolve Boston of all their sins. It's more like the new Pavano, so the Sox have an underperforming big name to match the Yanks in their own private war.

He is also very good defensively.