MLB Trade Scenarios: 5 Teams Who Could Take a Chance on Josh Beckett

The Boston Red Sox entered the 2012 season with a renewed sense of confidence after a dismal September doomed their chances of a postseason berth last year.

With a new general manager and manager at the helm, the Red Sox committed themselves to proving what type of team they really are.

Barely a month into the season, we still haven't seen Carl Crawford, and Bobby Valentine's short tenure in Fenway certainly hasn't gotten off to the best of starts.

Add to the recent drama surrounding Josh Beckett and it looks like things could be coming to a head in Beantown.

It may be entirely possible that a closed-door meeting could yield some positivity, but the way things are headed, you would have to think Josh Beckett could find his way outside of Boston sooner rather than later.

What needs to be addressed at this point is who could even take a chance on a player who's shown a lack of commitment even IF a deal could get done.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a few changes to their starting rotation heading into the 2012 season.

After non-tendering Joe Saunders the team ended up bringing him back for another season, and they also brought Trevor Cahill over from Oakland.

They currently rank in the bottom third of the league in quality starts, WHIP, BAA and have a combined ERA of 4.22.

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians made a bold move last summer in pulling off a blockbuster deal to acquire Ubaldo Jimenez from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for some high-ceiling prospects.

While the move didn't result in a playoff appearance, the Indians are once again in great position to make a run at the postseason in 2012.

Currently sitting in first place in the AL Central, acquiring a player like Josh Beckett could help a rotation that puts up a great deal of quality starts, but tends to struggle somewhat with number of base runners allowed. 

San Diego Padres

With their ace Mat Latos now taking the mound in Cincinnati, the San Diego Padres gave the reins to Edinson Volquez to lead the rotation to respectability.

Statistically speaking, the Padres' numbers aren't bad, as they rank in the top seven in baseball in ERA and BAA, but the team still finds itself in the cellar of the NL West with an 11-21 record.

Given his recent antics, a pitcher like Josh Beckett may not be the most desirable of moves, but he's shown that he has the talent and with more than a decade in this league, he could be a leader—if he so chooses.

Oakland Athletics

The starting rotation for the Oakland Athletics looks noticeably different in 2012, as Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill have both been shipped out of town in favor of some solid prospects.

Brandon McCarthy represents the team's best option in the rotation, but with the potential of him departing in free agency this offseason, it wouldn't hurt to get a proven arm in Beckett, who is under contract through 2014.

Detroit Tigers

Heading into the 2012 season, the expectations for the Detroit Tigers were extremely high, especially after they moved to sign slugger Prince Fielder to a massive deal.

With the game's best pitcher, Justin Verlander, heading up the rotation, and solid pitchers like Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello right behind him they appeared to be a lock to walk away with the AL Central.

The Tigers are currently hovering around .500 right now, behind the Cleveland Indians in the standings, with a pitching staff ranking in the bottom third of the league in most categories. 

They've been noted as a team that would possibly look outside the organization to add a starting pitcher as the season moved on, and whether or not he's their best option, Josh Beckett's name can't be ignored.