The Red Sox will soon be beginning contract negotiations with pitcher Josh Beckett and catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez. Both players are signed through 2010. Talks have not yet begun with Martinez, but his agent, Alan Nero, said during the winter meetings that he expected the sides to begin dialogue in January. As far as Beckett is concerned, Theo Epstein said he will not discuss any internal negotiations. ?That falls into the category of things we don?t talk about,? he said. ?If you talk about it [publicly], it seems to hinder the chances of anything getting done. He?s an important guy here. He?d like to be here and we would like to keep him. We?ll see if it can work out. If we don?t get something done, that doesn?t mean that we can?t later on. There is mutual interest.?