This Marlin a pretty big fish for Sox to land

With one stunning move -- assuming that Josh Beckett's balky right shoulder stands up to a thorough medical evaluation -- the Red Sox have sent a dramatic message to their skeptical following that they're back in business, and in a huge way.

The Sox still don't have a general manager, three weeks after Theo Epstein's abrupt departure, and with their announcement last night that they are expanding their search, it has become much less likely that Epstein's successor will be either Jim Beattie or Jim Bowden.

Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield, who worked under John W. Henry in Florida, didn't know last night whether the Sox had asked for permission to talk to him, and is pleased to have the job he has in Pittsburgh, but it makes too much sense for the Sox not to investigate whether the Maine native and UMass grad is available.

But with the Gang of Four, plus Bill Lajoie, taking advantage of the Florida Marlins' latest fire sale, the Sox now have an ace to stick at the top of their rotation, after last night's blockbuster trade that is pending the passing of physicals. Not someone in the twilight of his career who might have just a couple of good years left, but a 25-year-old righthander, Josh Beckett, who already has accomplished some great things -- shutting out the Yankees on three days' rest in the deciding game of the 2003 World Series to win MVP honors -- but in the eyes of many has just scratched the surface of his vast potential.

Think about this: Beckett, the Marlins' top draft pick in 1999, has yet to make as many as 30 starts or pitch as many as 180 innings in a season, mostly because of recurring blister issues, a la Derek Lowe. Yes, it's troubling that at the end of this past season, he was having trouble getting loose and the Marlins had him undergo two MRIs on his shoulder, which is why the Sox aren't saying anything until he passes his physical. But the relative lack of wear and tear on a young pitcher bodes well.

The price was steep -- Hanley Ramírez is no longer the shortstop of the Red Sox future, as the Sox packaged him with pitcher Anibal Sánchez and Single A pitcher Jesus Delgado -- to acquire Beckett and Mike Lowell, who is a Gold Glove third baseman but suffered through a disastrous season at the plate (.236, 8 home runs) and is owed $18 million over the next two years.

But the potential return is enormous, especially for a team with an aging rotation and a 15-game winner, David Wells, who wants out. They also were able to make the deal while holding onto their best pitching prospect -- lefty Jon Lester -- and 2005 No. 1 pick Craig Hansen, whom the Marlins wanted in the June draft (owner Jeffrey Loria reportedly met with Hansen himself) but were told that Hansen could probably get a better deal elsewhere. The Marlins would have had to wait for Hansen -- you can't trade a drafted player for a year after he signs -- but with Florida in full rebuilding mode, it had the luxury to wait, which is why the Marlins asked about him in this deal but were told no.

The Sox came into this winter knowing that with Curt Schilling's health a question mark, they needed both a No. 1 and a No. 2 starter if they hoped to contend next season. And depending on whether they free up some money by trading Manny Ramírez -- the Mets aren't the only team showing interest -- the Sox almost certainly will be in the hunt for another elite pitcher, perhaps Beckett's Marlins teammate, A.J. Burnett, who is a free agent.

But getting Beckett stands alone as a cause for celebration, because he is the type of pitcher who could have a Schilling-like effect on the Sox' fortunes, for a Pedro Martínez-like period of time.

''Everybody in the game would love to have him," said a major league executive, who added that most teams stayed away from Beckett because they were unwilling to take on Lowell's salary. ''He's got a plus fastball, a plus breaking ball, and a plus changeup, and he comes right at you. He's a horse."

And he's cheap, especially considering the kind of money that free agents will command this winter. Beckett was paid $2.5 million this year and figures to go to $4 million-$5 million in arbitration next season, one reason the Sox were willing to take on all of Lowell's money.

Here's another reason: The Sox think that Lowell, who will supplant Bill Mueller at third and possibly move Kevin Youkilis to first, has an excellent chance of being the player who averaged 24 home runs and 91 RBIs before slumping badly in 2005. And they're not alone.

''I'll bet you that Lowell has a hell of a year," said a major league scout who has tracked both Lowell and Beckett since they broke into the big leagues. ''He got down on himself last year, but he's a great young man. In that park, he's going to hit a lot of balls off that Wall and over that Wall."

The Sox almost certainly will explore the possibility of locking up Beckett with a long-term deal, envisioning him as the ace of a staff that soon should feature Lester and Jonathan Papelbon.

''He's a legitimate No. 1, and I don't know how many of those exist anymore," the scout said. ''He won 15 games and could easily have won a few more, except for that blister thing.

''He's special. He wanted the ball in New York in Game 6. He's a special guy."

Why did the Marlins make the deal? Because Loria is running into the same thing that prompted John W. Henry to throw up his hands in frustration and sell the club: He can't muster the political and financial support to build a new ballpark, so has to start divesting himself of players. Next may be slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado, with indications yesterday that the Yankees may jump into the fray. Delgado was rumored to be headed to the Mets, but the Marlins would rather not trade him to another team in the NL East.

The Texas Rangers had first crack at Beckett, and according to multiple sources, were in position to make a trade at the end of the GM meetings but balked at including one of their top pitching prospects in a proposal that included third baseman Hank Blalock.

The Sox, who were not in on Beckett in Palm Springs, took advantage of the Rangers' hesitation and put together a package that in the end the Marlins liked better. With shortstop Alex Gonzalez a free agent, the Marlins will give Ramírez a chance to start for them next season. Florida would have preferred Lester but have good reports on Sanchez.