Dodgers claim Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett off waivers; blockbuster deal close

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett could be on his way out of town after being claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Jason Szenes/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and pitcher Josh Beckett off of waivers Friday fueling speculation that both players will be dealt, reports FoxSports.com.

ESPN.com is reporting that the Red Sox are “closing in” on a deal to send Gonzalez, Beckett outfielder Carl Crawford and utility player Nick Punto to the Dodgers.

If all four players are traded, the Dodgers would assume $262.5 million in salary or work out a deal where Boston still pays portions of those salaries.

The Red Sox do have the rights to either pull Gonzalez and Beckett back or allow them and their contracts to go to the Dodgers. If a trade is not completed within the next 48 to 72 hours, both players would stay put. The waiver deadline is August 31.

Gonzalez signed a seven-year, $154 million extension in April 2011 after being traded in December 2010. Gonzalez leads the Red Sox in batting average, RBIs, on-base percentage and hits this season.

“Waiver questions? I’m not talking about that,” Gonzalez said when asked about the report.

Beckett is 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 21 starts this season. In three starts this month, he has allowed 18 earned runs in 16.1 innings. Beckett is in the second year of a four-year, $68 million deal.

Crawford signed a 7-year, $142-million contract in 2010 and recently had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

#Dodgers indeed awarded claims on both Beckett and AGon. Had interest in Beckett before 7/31. Beckett claim first reported by @Sean_McAdam.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 24, 2012

Blockbuster: red Sox, Dodgers working on deal that would send AGon, Crawford, Beckett and Punto to LA. Hurdles remain, but closing in—
Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) August 24, 2012