Heyman: Beckett, Salty Concerns For Sox

BOSTON (CBS) – There is plenty of concern swirling around the Boston Red Sox after an 0-3 start to the 2011 season.

98.5 The Sports Hub's baseball insider Jon Heyman threw some more fuel on the flames Tuesday during his call-in to the Gresh and Zolak show, starting with Tuesday night's pitcher Josh Beckett.

"I think he needs to contribute, he was not good last year in limited pitching," Heyman said of Beckett's 6-6 2010 season. "He was hurt most of the year, but when he was on the mound he had an ERA in the six-range. He's their number four starter at this point.  He's a definite concern at this point."

Listen: Heyman on Gresh & Zo: Beckett's A Concern

"There is pressure on him, but pressure isn't what's got to him," Heyman added. "The thing that has been a problem is his fastball command, which is not good. He still throws hard, but is very hittable when he throws it down the middle of the plate."

"I'm not surprised he's their number four starter because right now the other three guys are better than him."

Read: Beckett Ready To Show On-Field Adjustments

Another big concern for the Red Sox is their starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who has started the season off hit-less in his first 10 at-bats, including five strikeouts.

"This is a concern for this team, because he has not shown what he showed earlier in his career," Heyman said of the 2003 first-round draft pick. "He was a big time prospect. He was the biggest guy in that (Mark) Teixera trade at the time."

Saltalmacchia was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Texas Rangers for Mark Teixeria along with Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz. Heyman points out that the others  have turned out to be contributors for the Rangers, but Saltalamacchia has yet to show much in the majors.

"That is one I would be concerned about and they should be too," Heyman said. "They are obviously pretty big fans of his. They traded for him, gave him the position without all that much of a track record at all."

Although the Red Sox will be willing to let Saltalamacchia grow into the role and focus more on his defense and game-calling, Heyman said there could be a June deadline for him to start pulling his weight, both behind and at the plate.

Tune in to Gresh and Zolak weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub.