Beckett close to four-year, $68m deal

SARASOTA, Fla. — The Red Sox are moving closer to a four-year, $68 million contract extension with Josh Beckett that could be announced as soon as Monday.A major league source confirmed the progress in the talks, which was first reported by Sports Illustrated. The deal is not finished, but general manager Theo Epstein and agent Michael Moye have agreed to continue talks beyond the start of the regular season, if necessary.Beckett had originally said he did not want negotiations to take place after spring training.Such a pact would serve two purposes: The Sox would not be committed to Beckett for more than five years, which was one of their goals. And Beckett’s extension would be worth an average of $17 million a year, pushing him past the average salary for the five-year, $82.5 million deal the Sox gave John Lackey in December.What remains uncertain is how the money will be spread out and whether Beckett and the Sox will include any medical clauses to protect the team against a possible shoulder injury.It is believed the Sox can save money on baseball’s luxury tax by waiting until after Opening Day to announce the deal.Battery provides charge It’s safe to say Jon Lester and Victor Martinez are ready to start the season.Lester allowed one run on three hits over seven innings and Martinez went 3 for 5 with two home runs and six RBIs as the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles, 14-6, at Ed Smith Stadium.“That’s how you want to feel going into the season,’’ said Martinez, who had a two-run shot in the third inning and a grand slam in the fourth.Lester walked three and struck out three in his longest outing of the spring. He now has five days off before facing the Yankees Tuesday.“There are some things out there I wasn’t real pleased with, but for the most part, I feel ready to go,’’ said Lester, who felt he fell behind too many hitters.Manager Terry Francona thought Lester was being a little too critical.“He was plenty strong and had good movement on his fastball,’’ said Francona. “I thought it was a good way to end his spring training.’’Kevin Frandsen, who was optioned to the minors earlier in the week, also had a grand slam as the Red Sox collected 17 hits off seven pitchers.Bonser, Lowrie to DL Two expected roster moves were made official when righthander Boof Bonser and infielder Jed Lowrie were placed on the disabled list retroactive to March 26. Bonser strained his right groin March 22. Lowrie has not played since March 11 because of mononucleosis. Bonser threw in the bullpen yesterday and is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Saturday in Fort Myers. He could be activated as early as April 10. “We really like what we see,’’ Francona said. “We don’t want to hurt him and not give him the chance to be the pitcher he can be.’’ Daisuke Matsuzaka will join Bonser and Lowrie on the DL after he pitches Saturday against Washington.Bizarro world Jonathan Papelbon pitched an inning for Single A Salem in Fort Myers, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and three strikeouts against some Minnesota prospects. “It was just tough out there for me, the whole setting, getting ready to pitch,’’ he said. “It was like throwing live BP. I still got great work in.’’ Papelbon said he was able to throw his split-finger fastball for strikes and has regained confidence in the pitch after giving it up last season. But it wasn’t easy. “You deal with a different way of life down here, man,’’ he said. “It was like I was pitching in Zombieland. It was different, and then the first two guys I faced, I don’t think their combined height was 6 feet. How am I supposed to throw a strike to these dudes? There was a reason I did everything I could to get out of the minor leagues.’’ Hideki Okajima pitched for Single A Greenville. He allowed two unearned runs on two hits, struck out one without a walk, and threw 14 of his 20 pitches for strikes . . . Jeremy Hermida (right hamstring) took batting practice and ran on the treadmill the last two days and could play as soon as today, although tomorrow is more likely . . . Mike Lowell was 2 for 4 with two doubles and is 4 for 7 in his last two games. Just in time to get traded? “We’ll see what happens,’’ he said. “But everything has started to click in for me. It feels good.’’ . . . No decision has been made on whether righthander Junichi Tazawa will have surgery on the partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow. But it certainly sounds that way. “There are some things we want to work through with him,’’ said Francona. “He needs time to get his thoughts in order, is really what it is. We’re all on the same page. There’s no rush on this.’’ . . . Kevin Youkilis fouled a ball off his right knee, leaving a bruise. He will take today off . . . Francona is leaning toward hitting J.D. Drew sixth behind David Ortiz once the season starts.Nick Cafardo of the Globe staff contributed to this report.