Kuzul

MLB personnel moves are frequently prefaced by fan speculation, media probing or an executive announcement. Somebody usually spoils the surprise.This article celebrates 10 exceptions to that norm that were completed in 2012.The players involved ranged from future first-ballot Hall of Famers to lifetime reserves. The reasons for relocation varied, too.However, they all understand what it's like to be moved in a shocking trade.Let's review their experiences from the past year.Begin Slideshow

The Los Angeles Dodgers will not waste time getting newly acquired Josh Beckett on the mound as he will make his first start for the club on Monday. Beckett was sent to L.A. along with Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto for James Loney, Allen Webster, Ivan De Jesus, Rubby De La Rosa and Jerry Sands, according to ESPN’s Mark Saxon. Los Angeles general manager Ned Colletti announced that Beckett would be pitching in Monday’s game after the trade became official, according to Drew Silva of NBC’s Hardball Talk. Silva notes that Beckett will be taking the place of Chad Billingsley, who according to the Los Angeles Times’ Dylan Hernandez, will not be back in the lineup anytime soon. Chad Billingsley "might be out for a while," GM Ned Colletti said.— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) August 25, 2012 Beckett’s first start will be a divisional battle against the Colorado Rockies. ...

Josh Beckett has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers—a move back to the National League that will revitalize his career. Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat writer Dylan Hernandez reports: The #Dodgers trade with the #Red Sox is official.— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) August 25, 2012  For Beckett, this move signals a new phase in his career. It's been a rough last few years for the once-dominant pitcher, but a new chapter gives him reason for hope.From Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer: BREAKING: Josh Beckett is smiling. RT @shredderpunto #dodgers doing it first class! twitter.com/Shredderpunto/…— Zachary D. Rymer (@zachrymer) August 25, 2012  There are two major reasons that moving to LA is going to help Beckett return to form.  Dodger Stadium is a Pitcher's BallparkThere's no doubt that Dodger Stadium is going to help Beckett's cause.  While Fenway Park is the third most hitter-friendly park in MLB, Dodger Stadium ranks in a tie for 21st.Aside from the fact that ...

There may be bad news on the horizon for the Boston Red Sox. Starting pitcher Josh Beckett made an early departure from Tuesday night's contest against Detroit.Providence Journal's Brian MacPherson reported on the situation: Valentine calling for Mortensen. Beckett will leave with what looks like a lower-back injury.— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) August 1, 2012  UPDATE: Tuesday, July 31, 9:05 p.m. ET by Eric BallInformation is slowly coming out on the specific reason for Beckett’s early departure and Ian Browne of MLB.com confirms it was back spasms: Back spasm was reason for Beckett's exit.— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 1, 2012  Beckett threw 49 pitches in 2.2 innings while allowing one run before coming out of the game. After mowing down the first eight Detroit Tigers, Beckett surrendered a single, hit a batter and gave up back-to-back walks. On the final pitch to Miguel Cabrera in the second walk, he motioned for the Sox ...

With the Texas Rangers reportedly not interested in trading for Josh Beckett (h/t Rob Bradford, weei.com), the Boston Red Sox should just hold on to the 32-year-old right-hander.The Rangers, with their exceptionally deep and talented prospect pool, would have been an ideal trading partner for the Red Sox, who are currently in last place in the AL East. But with Texas turning their attention elsewhere, Boston might as well keep the three-time All-Star.Even though it's a down year for the Red Sox, they're always one strong offseason away from returning to prominence. If they want to make more of an impact next season, they'd be smart to keep Beckett, rather than ditching a key member of their rotation just for the sake of making a move.Sure, Beckett enraged Boston fans with his recent chicken, beer and golf escapades. And yes, his current 4.57 ERA isn't exactly ideal. Still, let's not ...

The Boston Red Sox need to do something drastic to have any reasonable chance at even making the second wild card spot this season. That drastic deal should involve dealing Josh Beckett to the Miami Marlins in return for Josh Johnson. The first thing to consider is contract status. Beckett is in the middle of a four year, $68 million contract. He will be a free agent in 2015. Johnson is in a four year, $39 million contract. He will be a free agent in 2014. Beckett is 5-8, with a 4.53 ERA in 101.1 innings pitched. This year Johnson is 6-7, with a 4.14 ERA in 119.2 innings pitched. Although their numbers are similar, trading Beckett now would be a huge shakeup for the Red Sox. The Red Sox should not wait until July 31st—the trade deadline—to make this deal happen. This is something that should get done now.   ...

There were a lot of late-arriving fans at Fenway Park Friday night, and they had the right idea: This year, with Josh Beckett pitching, the worst parts of the game for the Red Sox almost always come early.Beckett had another dismal start to his start, and the Red Sox were down 4-0 to the Blue Jays after just two innings. A few hours before the game, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington had told Tony Massarotti of 98.5 The Sports Hub that Beckett has “been very consistent if you look at the entire year.”That seems like a stretch, unless you consider the early parts of games—when the Texas Chicken King has been consistently bad.Beckett allowed two runs in the first inning Friday, raising his first-inning ERA to 10.69 for the season. He allowed two more in the second, and is now averaging 6.65 runs allowed over the first three innings of his ...

Like a skipping CD in dire need of a cleansing, Josh Beckett is following a mortifying motif of practically conceding critical games against American League East adversaries before sundown. The visiting Toronto Blue Jays proved to pick up all they would need in the first inning on Friday, then doubled their output in the second inning before pacing themselves to a 6-1 thrashing of the Red Sox. Beckett is now 1-4, and the team 1-6, in his last seven starts since May 31. He was previously 4-4, and the Sox 5-4, when he started, though the team’s overall progress has not swayed too far in either direction. Boston was 26-25 after Beckett’s losing decision to Detroit on May 31 and was 48-46 by the end of Friday’s falter to the Blue Jays. If anything, though, that means Boston could be further along in its effort to retain its postseason viability ...

General manager Ben Cherington, manager Bobby Valentine and the Boston Red Sox have their next big task on their plate—replacing the injured Josh Beckett in the starting rotation. Boston placed Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed shoulder and has chosen reliever Franklin Morales to take his place tomorrow night, according Ian Browne of MLB.com.It’s still unknown as to how long Beckett will be out for, but you can expect him to miss at least two starts. Morales will start against the Chicago Cubs, but should Daniel Bard take any future starts that Beckett will end up missing? Bard is currently pitching in Triple-A Pawtucket trying to find his feel for the pitching rubber.He’s pitched in three games for the Paw Sox, getting roughed up in the opener and pitching better since. In four innings he’s allowed four earned runs on three hits, while walking two and striking ...

It appears as if the Boston Red Sox' rough season is about to get worse, as news has broke that they are going to be losing starting pitcher Josh Beckett to the 15-day disabled list because of an injured shoulder.The last update on Beckett's shoulder was that it was sore because of inflammation in the joint and that he would miss his scheduled start on Sunday night, but Boston Globe baseball writer Nick Cafardo tweets that he'll be going on the DL now: Looks like Josh Beckett heading to 15 day disabled list with sore right shoulder.— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) June 16, 2012 This is a huge loss for the Sox, who are currently dead last in a very tough American League East. They sit 7.5 games behind the division-leading Yankees, and can't afford to lose the best pitcher in their rotation.That said, the Sox are doing the smart thing here by ...