The Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are close to making a blockbuster trade that would send Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto to Hollywood, multiple sources are reporting.

Several hurdles remain, but it's clear the new Dodgers principal owner, Mark Walter, along with NBA legend Magic Johnson, are willing to open their checkbook.

By adding Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett, the Dodgers would add $261 million in remaining salaries to their payroll.

Gonzalez, who signed an extension in April, 2011, is owed $127 million over the next six years. Crawford is owed $102.5 million over the next five and Beckett is owed $31.5 over the next two.

In return, the Red Sox would get, aside from payroll relief, pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, first baseman James Loney, prospects Jerry Sands, Ivan De Jesus and a player to be named, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN.

Both Gonzalez and Loney were scratched from the lineup tonight.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine didn't make much of the situation when he was asked about Gonzalez before Friday's game.

"I talked to (general manager) Ben (Cherington) this afternoon and there was no mention -- at all," Valentine said. "There wasn't a mention of 'who do you want?' There wasn't any conversation, so I believe it's nothing more than the standard operational of a guy gets claimed, it's a block, it's not a trade and life goes on."

Gonzalez is the key player who can make an immediate impact on the Dodgers in the final month of the season. He leads the Red Sox in batting average (.300) and RBI and would take over first base. Beckett is struggling this season. He's 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA and has lost his last four decisions. Crawford had season-ending surgery on his left elbow Thursday and will be sidelined for the next six to nine months.

The trade would clearly reshape both franchises. The Red Sox, whose opening day payroll was $173 million -- third most in the majors, would be getting rid of their three highest paid players and offer them the chance to re-set their payroll - and roster - without flirting with baseball's onerous luxury tax.

The Dodgers' $95 million payroll would increase significantly; while they would add a perennial All-Star first baseman in Gonzalez, they'd also take on the contracts of Beckett and Crawford, both of whom have been injury-riddled. Beckett has also been at the center of several controversies of late in Boston.

Heading into Friday, the Dodgers sit three games behind the San Francisco Giants in the National League West and 1 1/2 in the wild card.

The Red Sox have had a disappointing first season with Valentine. They sit seven games under .500 and 8 1/2 out of the American League wild card.

Gonzalez was approached before Friday's game and was asked about the rumors.

"Waiver questions? I'm not talking about that," he said.

The Dodgers have been very aggressive in acquiring big-name talent. At the trade deadline, the Dodgers acquired third baseman Hanley Ramirez from the Miami Marlins. Earlier this month, the Dodgers put a claim on Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee, but the two teams were unable to complete the deal.