Interesting Sox-related note from Peter Gammons' latest blog entry:

"We'd better enjoy [Josh] Beckett the next three years," one Boston Red Sox official said, "Because we won't be able to sign him after his deal is up after 2010." - Peter Gammons, ESPN.com

Gammons and this Red Sox exec are of course referring to the ever-growing salaries of quality front-of-the-rotation starters in light of the recent 6 year, $137.5 million deal Johan Santana agreed to with the Mets.  Obviously, this comment was mostly made in jest and with an undertone of facetiousness, but it's interesting to think that the Sox literally may not be able to afford Beckett in a few years because he'd be able to command so much in salary and years.  If Santana is worth $20 to $25 million per year, what will Beckett be worth in a few years, factoring in inflation, demand, and the availability of comparable free agents?  Hopefully the market corrects itself a bit by then, but that looks doubtful as guys like Carlos Silva (4 years, $48 million), Luis Vizcaino (2 years, $7.5 million), David Riske (3 years, $13 million), Troy Percival (2 years, $8 million), Ron Mahay (2 years, $8 million), and Octavio Dotel (2 years, $11 million) are signing rather lengthy deals for big dollars.  At this rate, Beckett's 3 year, $30 million contract ($12 million club option for the fourth year) will look like a steal.

Salary figures courtesy of ESPN.com