Here are a few stories from Nick Carfardo of the Boston Globe as an appetizer before PRO Rumors TV tonight!

• According to a source close to talks, the toughest part of the Josh Beckett negotiations is getting the Sox fair injury protection while still making certain Beckett gets what he’s worth. “There’s been a lot of back and forth on that issue already,” said the source.  “This is something that may take some time.  If it’s a shorter deal of three years, the language may not be required or it may be scaled down.  If it’s longer, then the language would likely have to be included.”  Beckett’s agent Michael Moye is looking at a number of ways to make this part of the deal happen.  The market for pitching appears to have shrunk the past two years, so it may behoove Beckett to sign now.
• Billy Wagner the now Atlantic Brave close was asked about the possibility of returning to Boston this past off season where he provided this response.  “It was very tempting because I enjoyed it so much, but it was awful hard because I’d like to close, at least give it a shot.  He’s (Jonathan Papelbon) earned his spot there, and if he had a tough spell, it would just fuel speculation, and he doesn’t need that.”
• Is there possibly another catcher who is coming up through the ranks that some view as the next Joe Mauer?  The Baltimore Orioles triple-A manager Gary Allenson has spent significant time with Matt Wieters watching him develop and he thinks Wieters has the potential to be the next Mauer.  “He’s an excellent catch-and-throw guy, very big and athletic.  His hands are probably twice the size of mine, which is great.  But for a kid his age, he really understands how to handle a staff.”
• Andruw Jones the 10-time Gold Glove center fielder with 388 career homers decided to work out this off season at Scott Boras’s facility where he dropped 25 pounds.  Though it is only spring training, Jones is hitting .357 and has repeatedly been placed in the heart of the White Sox lineup.

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3. Josh Beckett Contract Rumors: Substantive talks taking place
4. Josh Beckett Contract Rumors: Wants longer deal than Lackey
5. Billy Wagner signs 1 year deal with the Braves