Boston Red Sox: 4 Reasons Selling Josh Beckett Is a Must for Sox

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The Boston Red Sox have so far endured a subpar season, and it seems as if Josh Beckett is serving as scapegoat for the Sox's poor performances. 

In his last outing, Beckett gave up a season-high eight runs in five-plus innings against the Texas Rangers and was loudly booed by the Fenway faithful as he was yanked from the mound en route to a 10-9 slugfest loss (via the Huffington Post). 

The time may have come for the 32-year-old pitcher to leave Boston.

Here are four reasons why Josh Beckett leaving Boston might be in the Red Sox's best interest. 

His Performances Are Slacking

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With a 5-9 record and an ERA of 4.97, Josh Beckett just hasn't been cutting it this season.

Granted, his eight runs (including three home runs) against the Rangers were the most since 2010—breaking a 12-game streak in which Beckett hadn't allowed a home run since May—but his performances this season haven't been exactly ace-material. 

In his season opener on April 7, Beckett gave up five home runs en route to a 10-0 rout at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. 

On May 10, he gave up seven runs on seven hits (including two home runs) in just two innings in an 8-3 loss to Cleveland.

Beckett enjoyed a three-game win streak in May, but on the last day of month, he gave up four runs on 10 hits through seven innings, again to Detroit.

Beckett didn't win a single game in June (all via ESPN MLB). 

Beckett's performances just aren't cutting it anymore. 

Josh Beckett Might Be the Biggest Clubhouse Cancer in Baseball

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Watch this video posted by Bleacher Report's own MLB insider Gabe Zaldivar and Zach Rymer on how Josh Beckett is the worst clubhouse cancer in baseball.

On top of "Chicken-and-Beer-gate," Beckett went golfing on an off-day despite having a shoulder injury and has been accused as having "a lack of accountability," according to Rymer. If he pitches poorly, Beckett won't address it to the media, leaving his teammates to speak for him.

Beckett has just become an unlikable figure in Boston, which is something management shouldn't stand for, as the fans certainly don't.   

The Red Sox Have Better Pitchers in the Rotation

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Clay Buchholz and Felix Doubront have enjoyed relatively decent seasons, posting 10-3 and 10-6 records along with a 4.24 and 4.70 ERA, respectively, which are best among Red Sox pitchers (via ESPN).

Jon Lester, despite having some pretty bad performances, hopefully looks like he is back to his winning ways after pitching his first win since June in a 14-1 drubbing of the Indians, striking out 12.

Even Alfredo Aceves, who has a not-so-great record of 2-7, has managed 23 saves this season.

The point is that the Red Sox rotation would probably survive, even flourish, if Josh Beckett were to leave. 

His $17 Million-a-Year Contract Is Devouring Cap Room

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The Red Sox shouldn't be paying such an ineffective pitcher this amount of money.

Yes, Red Sox management would have to eat his contract if they were to trade him away, but they could use the new space in cap room to sign someone who could help the organization move forward. 

Boston was linked with Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster during the MLB trade window, so who's to say Boston couldn't land them later on, with more cap room to make the trade happen?

Boston needs to cut its losses and ship Beckett out. He's doing more harm than good at this point.