Josh Beckett deal is a big deal for Boston's future

With Josh Beckett's contract expiring after the 2010 season, there are talks looming to sign the Red Sox ace to a long-term deal to keep him with newly signed ace John Lackey and lefty cancer survivor Jon Lester.

According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe the "talks remain positive." And on a scale from 1-10, Becket and the Sox are between a 7-8.

There has been speculation of Boston only wanting to offer a four-year deal, but because of Lackey's five-year signage, there's no reason why Beckett and his agent will push for the same. However it will require more money.

How important is it to lock him up? Well, no one wants a repeat of what happened with Jason Bay and if the two sides cannot reach an agreement either before or at the very beginning of the season, things won't be looking good.

Not securing Beckett would be another big blow to Sox management. And not knowing with the current state of Daisuke Matsuzaka and uncertainness of Clay Buchholz as a full-time major league starter, the pitching rotation could be a huge question mark for 2011.

Obviously fans are more focused about this season. It's something to keep an eye on though.