As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approached, the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers discussed a blockbuster deal that would have sent right-hander Josh Beckett, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and catcher Kelly Shoppach to the Rangers, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.com:

According to multiple major league sources, one potential deal discussed by the Red Sox and Rangers prior to the non-waiver trade deadline included a package that would have sent Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kelly Shoppach to the Rangers.

It is unclear what player compensation the two teams discussed going from Texas to the Red Sox in such a deal.

Bradford notes that it remains unknown who the Red Sox would have received in exchange for their trio of major leaguers.

One source told Bradford that the deal was no more than a "theoretical back and forth," while another said it reached a more "advanced stage before hitting a wall."