The only good thing about the Red Sox-Dodgers trade was ridding Josh Beckett and his horrid work ethic and contract, but, according to the Providence Journal, John Lackey feels that Beckett was a "good influence" in the Red Sox clubhouse.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement from the newest pariah for the Red Sox since Beckett is LA bound.

In an interview with WEEI, Lackey feels that Beckett was unfairly criticized by the Boston media. He also said it was for the best that Beckett move on from Boston and get a fresh start.

"It's baffling to me people write things that don't even know the man," Lackey said. "Guys write stuff who don't know Josh. He's a good guy. It's too bad that it came to that. They write about the Beckett Bowl (charity event), that we were partying and stuff, but they raised $300,000 for Children's Hospital that night. Throw something in there positive."

Back in 2010, then Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said that Beckett had a positive influence on younger pitchers.

"There were definitely times young guys went to talk to him about things," Lackey said. "People didn't see that sort of stuff. He was a good influence."

Lackey has missed all of this season after a dreadful 2011 campaign as he has become a pariah in the city of Boston. He still has two seasons left on his contract at $15.25 million per year.

The Red Sox still couldn't shed that contract.