3/30 14:11: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says taht the talks between the Red Sox and Beckett are at a “7-8 right now” based on a scare of 1-0 with 10 being the most likely. Cafardo adds that the if a deal can’t be struck within the next week or two, the civility of the talks could allow the sides to continue to negotiate and get something done before the All Star break at the latest.

3/30 12:01: According to sources close to ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney, the Red Sox have made a four-year offer to pitcher Josh Beckett. Olney said the deal could be along the lines of the contract that teammate John Lackey signed with Boston this off-season with the numbers for Beckett in the range of $65-70 million.

The big hanging point between the Red Sox and Beckett is the fifth year. Beckett wants a fifth year, but the Sox are not willing to go more than four years – the reason being Beckett’s history of his frayed rotator cuff.

Beckett, 29, has compiled a lifetime 106-68 record with a 3.79 ERA. You can see Beckett’s contract history and statistics here.