Sox must finalize deal today

The 72-hour window afforded the Red Sox to review Josh Beckett's medical records and complete or renege on the blockbuster deal centered around the righthander closes at the end of today. And while a Marlins source last night said he'd be ''very surprised" if the deal were held up, the fact that the Sox offered a ''no comment" suggests that the club is at least taking its time debating the contents of Beckett's medical files.

Beckett is just 25 and has avoided major injury in his young career, but the 2003 World Series MVP has been on the disabled list nine times in four-plus seasons since breaking into the majors in 2001. Six times Beckett has visited the DL because of a recurring blister problem on his right middle finger (three times in 2002, twice in 2004, and once last season). He also went on the DL in 2005 with a strained left oblique, in 2004 with a strained back, and in 2003 with a strained elbow.

Beckett also had difficulty loosening his shoulder during the last six weeks of this past season, estimating that he needed 20 pitches each inning before feeling loose. With the Marlins out of the running for a postseason spot, and Beckett's shoulder hurting, the 6-foot-5-inch Texan skipped his final start of the season. Still, Beckett had gone 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA over his last five starts.

He underwent two MRIs last month and visited noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, who diagnosed Beckett with tendinitis. Beckett told Florida reporters that the diagnosis met his expectations. If he'd been more severely hurt, Beckett reasoned, he wouldn't have been able to maintain his velocity as he had. The Marlins official said Beckett was throwing 97 miles per hour in his final start, when he shut out the Braves for seven innings.

Beckett has never made more than 29 starts in a season nor pitched more than 178 2/3 innings, though he did reach both thresholds this past year, going 15-8 with a 3.38 ERA.

Beckett has not been examined by the Red Sox and isn't likely to be checked in person, given the impending deadline.

The Gang of Four is down a member, after yesterday's anticipated announcement formalizing Peter Woodfork's departure for Arizona, where he will become the Diamondbacks' assistant general manager under Josh Byrnes.

Woodfork, a 29-year-old Swampscott native and Harvard University graduate, will continue working as the Sox' director of baseball operations and assistant director of player development until the end of the week, when he's expected to leave for Arizona.

''I think it's just overall a great opportunity to go work for a GM I trust," said Woodfork, who joined the Sox in March 2003. ''Josh is a tremendous person with great character and will be a great GM. I'm really looking forward to it."

Byrnes, the Sox' assistant GM under Theo Epstein, accepted the GM job in Arizona days before Epstein's Oct. 31 departure, and began the process of bringing Woodfork with him within days. Woodfork thus becomes the third member of the Sox' baseball operations staff to depart in less than a month's time.

With the Sox, Woodfork effectively split his time between major league and minor league business. At the major league level he dealt with personnel decisions, player arbitration cases, contract negotiations, and some clubhouse issues.

''Peter has tremendous people skills to manage people and make decisions," Byrnes said yesterday. ''He brings a lot of experience in addition to his own individual qualities. He will have an impact."

A 1995 graduate of Swampscott High, and '99 graduate of Harvard, where he hit .301 for the Crimson and majored in psychology, Woodfork began his career working at a law firm, though he's never taken a graduate-level law class. He then worked at CBS Sports as a statistical guru before joining Major League Baseball's labor relations department. There, he worked on the 2002 collective bargaining agreement, researched arbitration cases, and served as a liaison between teams and the league on contract issues.

''We're sorry to see Peter go, but this promotion is an opportunity he has been working for and building toward for several years," Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino said in a statement. ''He was a valuable contributor to our operations and administration for the last three years, and we wish him the best in Arizona, except, of course, in interleague play."

Lucchino, in an e-mail, said Woodfork would not be replaced before a GM is hired. It's also possible, Lucchino said, that the club will not replace Woodfork and instead spread his duties internally. Either way, Lucchino said, manager of major league administration Brian O'Halloran will receive a bump in title and responsibility.

Asked if leaving his home is bittersweet, Woodfork said, ''I think there's a realization in baseball that there is a lot of movement. It's always tough to leave Boston, but I've had to leave before.

''Going to another organization gives you a different perspective that you need as you move along," he added, implying his desire to someday become a GM. ''I think I'll be better in the long run for working for two very different organizations."

Byrnes, who has been working without an assistant GM or farm director, is close to hiring a farm director but said that person won't come from the Red Sox.

The Texas Rangers extended consultant John Hart's contract by three seasons to eight years total. Rangers owner Tom Hicks, according to reports out of Texas, decided to extend Hart after a team contacted Texas seeking to interview Hart for a GM opening.

Lucchino confirmed last night that the Sox did contact the Rangers about speaking with Hart, a spectacular success in Cleveland but a disappointment in his four seasons in Texas.

''We were told his contract was extended the day after our request was made, and before his decision to decline," Lucchino said. ''We were also told he had a lifestyle preference to remain a consultant living in Florida. He, of course, would have been an excellent candidate."

Hart stepped down at season's end, clearing the way for 28-year-old Jon Daniels to become GM of the Rangers. Hart spoke with Dodgers owner Frank McCourt this month about that team's GM opening but withdrew his name soon thereafter.

Gordon Edes of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.