The Florida Marlins are close to trading pitcher Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Hank Blalock and a top pitching prospect, the Palm Beach Post reported Saturday. 

The Post said the deal, characterized as "well in the works," has been brokered in the past couple of days between Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and Rangers owner Tom Hicks, an American League source said.

However, two sources told the newspaper the deal could fall apart because the Rangers are reluctant to part with one of their coveted pitching prospects.

The Post said the Marlins are asking for either left-hander John Danks, Texas' first-round pick in 2003, or right-hander Thomas Diamond, the team's first-round pick in 2004.

Beckett told the newspaper he had heard rumors the past couple of months that he might be traded but he was not aware of the Rangers deal until he was told by a reporter late Friday.

"It hasn't happened yet,'' Beckett told The Post. "I think I'd rather reserve my comments until there's some validity to it.''

Beckett, a hero in the 2003 World Series, was the second overall pick of the June 1999 draft, but has struggled since then with injuries.

Beckett had his best season in 2005, going 15-8 with a 3.38 ERA in 29 starts. If Beckett is traded, left-hander Dontrelle Willis would be the only returning veteran to Florida's rotation in 2006.

Blalock, who turns 25 on Monday, hit 25 home runs with 92 RBI in 2005 while batting.263. He has averaged just under 29 home runs in each of his past three seasons.

The Post said Lowell is owed $9 million each in 2006 and 2007, and Beckett, who made $2.4 million in 2005, could make at least $4 million next season.

The Post said the Marlins also are pushing hard to trade center fielder Juan Pierre, and the Colorado Rockies have expressed an interest in catcher Paul Lo Duca. The team is trying to cut payroll because of financial problems exacerbated by a stalled stadium effort.