Week In Review: 4/4/10 – 4/10/10

We're a week into the MLB season and there's been tons of action on and off the field. Let's take a look back at the week that was…

• The Red Sox signed Josh Beckett to a four-year $68MM extension. The righty was set to join Brandon Webb, Jorge de la Rosa and Ted Lilly as one of the top free agent pitchers after the season. Intsead, he'll anchor Boston's rotation with Jon Lester, John Lackey and Clay Buchholz, who are all under team control through 2014.
• The Brewers signed Yovani Gallardo to a five-year $30.1MM extension apparently based on the one the Red Sox signed Lester to. It's the biggest deal signed by a pitcher with less than three years of service time.
• We heard that Pedro Martinez plans to pitch again this year. Pedro would like to pitch in the NL for an East coast contender, so it sounds as though the Phillies could be a fit for the second consecutive year. The Mariners, Twins and Dodgers were also linked to the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
• Another free agent pitcher, Jarrod Washburn, has drawn interest from as many as five clubs according to agent Scott Boras. The D'Backs and Indians were linked to Washburn this week.
• Pedro could fit in Philly eventually, but the NL Champs went after a less recognizable pitcher for the time being, claiming Nelson Figueroa from the Mets.
• Not to be outdone, the AL Champs made a waiver claim of their own. The Yankees grabbed Chad Huffman from the Padres.
• We heard that there have not been extension talks for free agents-to-be Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski.
• The Pirates released Ramon Vazquez after designating him for assignment.
• Jack Cust cleared waivers and accepted a minor league assignment.
• The Reds designated a couple noteworthy players for assignment themselves: Aaron Miles and Wladimir Balentien.
• A couple outfielders inked new deals: the Twins signed Jason Repko and the Somerset Patriots signed Ryan Freel.
• We heard that Mike Lowell plans to retire after the season.
• Tim previewed contract issues the Angels, Braves, A's, Blue Jays, Braves and Brewers will face leading up to the 2011 season.
• Check out Tim's offseason questions for the NL Central and NL West.
• Mike broke down the largest contracts by service time and position and took stock of the best trade chips in the NL West and NL Central.