Report: Marlins trade Beckett, Lowell to Red Sox

	Josh Beckett has gone 24-17 with a 3.57 ERA in two seasons since helping the Marlins win the World Series, but has suffered from chronic blister problems. AP

BRISTOL, Conn. (Ticker) -- Even in the absence of a general manager, the Boston Red Sox apparently have pulled off a trade for righthander Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell.

ESPN is reporting the Red Sox have acquired Beckett and Lowell from the Florida Marlins for shortstop Hanley Ramirez, righthander Anibal Sanchez and a player to be named.

The deal reportedly hinges upon all players passing physicals.

Operating without general manager Theo Epstein, who resigned on October 31 and has yet to be replaced, the Red Sox apparently have obtained the Most Valuable Player of the 2003 World Series and the reigning Gold Glove-winning third baseman in the National League.

Beckett, the second overall pick in the 1999 draft, pitched a five-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in Game 6 to clinch the Marlins' second World Series title. The 25-year-old has gone 24-17 with a 3.57 ERA in two seasons since then but has suffered from chronic blister problems.

Aside from winning his first Gold Glove Award, Lowell endured a disastrous 2005 season. The 31-year-old batted just .236 with eight homers and 58 RBI this past season despite entering the campaign as a career .277 hitter with an average of nearly 25 homers and 95 RBI over the previous five seasons with the Marlins.

Lowell is due to make $8.5 million each of the next two seasons.

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