Josh Beckett trade rumors were rampant over the weekend, with Lou Merloni advocating that -- in a best "addition by subtraction" move -- the Sox dump Beckett at any cost . . . which is not something the Boston Herald's Steve Buckley and the Boston Globe's Chris Gasper are necessarily on board with (though they wouldn't be adverse to moving Beckett in the right deal.)
However, if Ken Rosenthal and Buster Olney are to be believed, such talk is moot:
Source: RedSox talked to "handful of teams" that inquired about team's starting pitchers, including Beckett. "Unlikely" anything happens. Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2012
It's unlikely the Red Sox will trade Josh Beckett, after talking with a small handful of teams about him. Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 30, 2012
Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, speaking to Merloni on 'Sports Sunday's Conferece Call, says a Beckett trade is unlikely:
"The contract is too onerous and the Red Sox aren't likely to eat enough money to make it worthwhile to get him out of here."