...which, IMO, means he'll skip town b/c they won't offer him a fifth year on the contract and he KNOWS some team (aka the Yankees) will.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5040442

Being that this is his last big contract signing, he'll want to get as much as he can. Similar to the Jason Bay offer after last season, the Red Sox are making this offer to save face, and when Beckett comes back asking for a fifth year, they'll stick to their guns and he'll go elsewhere.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think that's what's up here.

I hope your not wrong!! I would like to see him in stripes..

Sounds like he will sign an extension now. Another four years of giving up 5 runs on opening day