Josh Beckett’s Contract Talks a Game of Baseball Economics (New England Sports Network)

“For years,” wrote Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe on Sunday, “teams have gotten burned by pitchers breaking down after getting a boatload of money and a long-term deal.” Consider your Mike Hamptons, Barry Zitos, Jason Schmidts and Kei Igawas of the world. It’s clear that kind of contract is not going to fly for the Red Sox anymore. Not even in the case of Josh Beckett. Two weeks ago, we …