Report: Dodgers awarded waiver rights on Josh Beckett

The waiver claim for Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett has been awarded to the Dodgers, according to multiple reports.

The move was first reported by Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet New England.

Earlier Friday, the Dodgers were awarded a waiver claim on a more highly coveted Red Sox player: first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Beckett has turned into a controversial figure in Boston and hasn’t pitched well this season, posting a 5.23 earned-run average.

Beckett will earn $15.75 million in 2013 and 2014.

At this point, the Red Sox can simply let the Dodgers take Beckett and the remainder of his contract –- that is, if Beckett approves the move. As a player with 10 years of major league service, including the last five with the same team, Beckett can block a move to any team.

But why would the Dodgers risk inheriting that contract?

Perhaps this was a move to set up the kind of multiple player trade to acquire Gonzalez that was proposed in the Thursday edition of The Times.

Stay tuned.

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