Week In Review: 3/21/10 – 3/27/10

It's time to take a look back at the week that was..

• The biggest news of the week was, of course, Joe Mauer's eight-year extension with the Twins.  The Minnesota native will make $184MM over the course of the deal, which averages out to $23MM per season.  It's the fourth largest deal in MLB history and it will keep the face of the franchise in Minnesota through the 2018 season.
• We learned that the Red Sox are not willing to give Josh Beckett an extension beyond four years.  Beckett is set to earn $12.1MM this season.
• Andres Blanco was shipped to Texas for a player to be named later.  The 26-year-old posted a line of .252/.303/.341 in 138 plate appearances for the Cubs last season.
• The Orioles acquired Steven Lerud from the Royals in exchange for a player to be named later.
• Boston is still willing to move Mike Lowell, and the Rangers could be a match – again.  Despite rumors to the contrary, the Marlins say that they are uninterested in a reunion with the third baseman.
• The Giants agreed to extensions with two of their pitchers.  Closer Brian Wilson agreed to a two-year pact worth $15MM that will buy out two of his arbitration years.  Meanwhile, Jeremy Affeldt's deal is worth $9MM over the next two seasons, though the 2011 year is a club option.
• The Rangers acquired catcher Matt Treanor in exchange for infielder Ray Olmedo.  The 34-year-old Treanor missed most of 2009 with a hip injury.
• A day after his 27th birthday, the Yankees released pitcher Chad Gaudin.  The Yankees will owe Gaudin one-quarter of his $2.95MM salary for 2010.
• Joe Beimel found a home with the Rockies, agreeing to a minor league deal with a base salary of $850K if he makes the squad.  The soon-to-be 33-year-old can also earn up to $300K in incentives.
• MLBTR contributor Blake Bentley learned that 17-year-old Dominican righty Rafael DePaula may sign soon.  Bentley sees a two-horse race between the Yankees and Mariners for his services.
• The Red Sox signed reliever Alan Embree to a minor league deal that could pay him $1.1MM if he makes the big league roster.  This signing marks the lefty's second stint with the team.
• Detroit is reportedly shopping pitcher Nate Robertson.  Robertson is entering the final year of a three-year, $21.25MM contract.
• The Dodgers are reportedly shopping pitcher Eric Stults and outfielder Jason Repko, as they are overloaded in both areas.  Infielder Chin-lung Hu was also rumored to be on the block, but that was shot down by MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
• After being let go by Milwaukee, reliever Scott Schoeneweis agreed to a minor league deal with the Red Sox.  The 36-year-old will earn $500K if he makes the big league squad.
• The Twins agreed to terms with lefty Ron Mahay.  The 38-year-old did well against lefties last season.
• The Mets are said to be shopping outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., though they are unlikely to find a taker for him.  The 35-year-old costs the Mets just $2MM over the next two seasons as the Angels picked up the tab on the majority of his contract.
• The A's acquired reliever Edwar Ramirez from the Rangers for infielder Gregorio Petit.  Ramirez, who turned 29 today, posted 10.6 K/9 in 98.3 big league innings with the Yankees.
• The Giants finally found a taker for Kevin Frandsen as he was sent to the Red Sox for a player to be named later.  The 27-year-old infielder has a .240/.304/.341 line in 453 major league appearances, all of which have been with the Giants.
• Lefty Brian Shouse was cut loose by the BoSox.  The 41-year-old was set to earn $800K if he were to make the major league roster.
• On Wednesday, the Nats agreed to terms on a deal with reliever Mike MacDougal, who was waived by the Marlins earlier in the week.  MacDougal posted a 4.31 ERA with 5.6 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9 last season.
• Angel Berroa asked for and was granted his release by the Dodgers.  Ditto for reliever Eric Gagne.
• Extension talks between Albert Pujols and the Cardinals have been tabled until this winter.  Pujols is under team control through the 2011 season.
• Tim compiled a list of all of the key free agents in the 2012 offseason.  Shortly afterwords, he followed it up with his take on the free agent class.