New pitcher doesn’t mean they’ll toss Beckett

As the Red Sox were working to finalize their deal with John Lackey, general manager Theo Epstein took the time to send a text message to a key member of the 2010 team: Josh Beckett.“I said some might speculate that this means the end for you in Boston,’’ Epstein said yesterday at Fenway Park. “I said don’t listen to them. I said you’re a huge part of what we’ve had going on here, and we’d love it if it worked out that you were a huge part of our future as well. The most important thing is we’ve got one [heck] of a pitching staff right now.“He texted back, he was very excited about the signing. He knows John a little bit, thinks he’s a good man and a great pitcher. He’s ready to go for spring training. I don’t think it impacts Josh nearly to the degree that people are speculating.’’Beckett heads into 2010 in the last year of the deal he signed with the Sox in July 2006. That contract, which gave him security, was for three years at $30 million. Heading into this offseason, Beckett is likely looking for a deal similar to those signed by Lackey this offseason and by the Yankees’ A.J. Burnett last offseason. Both five-year contracts were for $82.5 million.The Lackey signing, though it won’t preclude the Sox from signing Beckett, does protect the Sox in case a deal cannot be worked out with their ace.Asked if the team had been involved in any dialogue with Beckett this offseason - reports suggest the Sox have - Epstein said, “That’s a policy, we’re not really commenting on those type of things.“I think I said at the beginning of the winter that he’s someone that we’d like to talk to at some point, and that certainly hasn’t changed at all.’’Lowell in limbo With the trade of Mike Lowell and $9 million to Texas for catcher Max Ramirez still pending, Epstein was asked if there was anything he could say about the move. “Nothing,’’ he replied.News of the deal broke eight days ago, at the winter meetings. But the deal has been held up by health concerns on both sides, including more recent reports that Lowell may need to have surgery on his left thumb.Epstein did say that “at certain times transactions are slowed down by logistical issues, not necessarily issues that are critical to a trade, but mere logistical issues. Usually those logistical issues take no more than 10 days or so to resolve.’’Home team For a man who was born, raised, and went to high school and college in Texas before joining the Angels, Lackey has a connection to New England. His wife, Krista, grew up in Sanford, Maine, and attended the University of New Hampshire. “I was a Red Sox fan, not a diehard but I was a fan,’’ she said. “Now it’s different. I love Boston and always have. It’s a great city.’’Krista never expected her husband, whom she met in California, would end up with the Red Sox. “It all came together in a few days, it was a surprise,’’ she said. “But it’ll be great to be closer to my friends and family. My college roommates all live in the area. It’s like coming home.’’Krista is looking forward to being at Fenway Park rooting for the home team. “It’s tough when you come in here with the Angels,’’ she said. “The fans let you know it.’’The Lackeys will maintain their home in southern California and are looking for a place in the Boston area. Lackey’s father-in-law, Nielsen Clark, attended the news conference along with his son, Anthony, and another daughter, Dana. A native of Westbrook, Maine, Clark has a home in Florida, close to the Red Sox’ spring training base in Fort Myers.“You never know what will happen,’’ he said. “I’ll be at a lot of the games down there. We’re all looking forward to John pitching for the Sox. I never expected my son-in-law would be pitching for them. Krista used to tell us we couldn’t wear our Red Sox shirts when we came to games on her tickets. Now we can.’’Kind words Beckett isn’t the only player who could feel reverberations from the Lackey signing. Clay Buchholz could potentially be a trade chip, if the Sox determine they need more offense, perhaps during the season. “We’ve always been a champion of Clay and his potential,’’ Epstein said. “He started to show it last year, and there was a six-start stretch in August and September where he was one of the best pitchers in baseball. We think that’s what he is. We think that’s what he can become. You’re not talking about a young, unproven guy anymore. We still think he’s a top-of-the-rotation guy, he’s under control for five years to this ball club. He’s got the makeup to succeed in Boston, he’s got the stuff to succeed in the American League East. It’s a luxury for us to be able to throw him out there not in the first, second, or third spot in our rotation.’’ . . . While there might be another significant signing or trade, perhaps for a corner infielder, Epstein said the team is not in a rush to do something “for the sake of doing something.’’ There is confidence that the Sox could make a trade in midseason if necessary, but Epstein also said that he is comfortable beginning the season with Casey Kotchman as his first baseman, with Kevin Youkilis at third if Lowell does indeed end up in Texas. “He’s a good example of a player who has a chance to go out and build some value by playing,’’ Epstein said. “He didn’t get an opportunity to play here, but he’s outstanding defensively, somebody who’s a tougher out than the numbers indicate. He can hit really good pitching, he’s really tough to get to swing and miss, and we think there’s a lot of offensive potential there.’’ . . . Epstein declined to speak about the team’s pursuit of international free agent Aroldis Chapman. The Sox were on hand to watch the lefthander throw in Houston on Tuesday.