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Marlins trade Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston

The Marlins and Red Sox completed the trade that sent ace Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Boston on Thursday night, but not before reliever Guillermo Mota was added to a deal that netted Florida four prospects.

The tentative agreement was reported and confirmed by baseball officials earlier in the week, but it wasn't finalized until Thanksgiving. The announcement included two previously unreported names: Mota is headed to Boston and minor league right-hander Harvey Garcia to the Marlins.

Florida also gets top shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez along with pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Jesus Delgado. Hours earlier, the salary-slashing Marlins traded slugger Carlos Delgado and most of his US$48 million contract to the New York Mets for first baseman Mike Jacobs and two minor leaguers.

It's the second time in three years that Boston traded for a potential ace over Thanksgiving. In 2003, the Red Sox acquired Curt Schilling from Arizona and rode him to the World Series title the next year.

The 25-year-old Beckett is at the other end of his career. But persistent blister problems and late-season shoulder soreness have stalled his development.

The Red Sox are still looking for a general manager to replace Theo Epstein, but that didn't stop them from pulling off a deal that should give Schilling help at the top of the rotation. Lowell will replace Bill Mueller, who filed for free agency.

Boston officials did not respond to requests for comment. Florida general manager Larry Beinfest conceded that the Marlins were forced to purge payroll.

Beckett is eligible for salary arbitration and expected to make between US$4 million and US$5 million next season. He can become a free agent after the 2007 season. Lowell, 31, won a Gold Glove this year but his offense dropped off and he is owed US$9 million each of the next two seasons. Mota was 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA and two saves in 56 games this year.
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