The Red Sox have offered pitcher Josh Beckett a four-year contract, according to sources. The contract is believed to be similar financially to the one John Lackey received from Boston this winter, meaning Beckett would make between $65 million and $70 million. The Red Sox aren't willing to add a fifth year to the offer, but there is optimism that an agreement will be reached.

Contracts talks involving the Red Sox and pitcher Josh Beckett are ongoing as Opening Day approaches. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Boston won't match the five-year, $82.5 million contract they gave John Lackey as a free-agent this summer. Beckett is younger than Lackey, but the Red Sox have concerns about Beckett's shoulder.

Doug Mientkiewicz was told he will not make the Dodgers' Opening Day roster, leaving his major league future in doubt. Mientkiewicz, 35, was attempting a comeback from a separated shoulder that required surgery last season and limited him to 18 at-bats for the Dodgers.

The Giants are expected to give reliever Brian Wilson a contract extension. San Francisco plans to make the agreement official on Friday. "Huh, well, that'd be awesome," Wilson said after nailing down a save on Thursday night. "Because I pitched good tonight? ... Yeah, I'd like one. It'd be fun."

There is still a possibility that Jarrod Washburn could reunite with the Mariners, according to reports. Seattle is believed to be looking for outside help in the wake of Cliff Lee's abdominal injury, which is expected to keep him out for a few weeks. Reports on AOL Fanhouse and SI.com claim the Mariners are "considering" bringing back Washburn to help absorb the loss of Lee Scott Boras, Washburn's agent, told Fanhouse that his client continues to work out and could be ready to pitch within three to four weeks.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer signed an eight-year, $184 million extension with the team on Monday, but it's possible that he could have made more. ESPN's Buster Olney spoke with about a half-dozen agents and executives Monday and the answer was the same, Mauer could have gotten a 10-year, $250 million deal on the open market. "There's nobody else like him in the game," one general manager said. "Nobody. Albert Pujols is a great player, but you can find other productive first basemen for a lot less money. What Mauer does at the plate, as a catcher, is so far beyond what anybody else does at that position. If you were to ? start a franchise today, he would be the guy you would pick first [among all players], and it really isn't even close."

Left-handed reliever Joe Beimel is joining the Rockies, according to reports. Early on Monday the Denver Post reported that Beimel would have to lower his asking price in order to land in Colorado. It is believed to be a minor-league contract, but Beimel will likely pitch in the majors because Rockies manager Jim Tracy wants two lefty arms out of the bullpen.

As far as Victor Martinez is concerned, Joe Mauer's contract doesn't change much for him. He would still like to stay in Boston beyond this season, but said that the club has yet to discuss a new contract this spring. "No -- nothing [up] to now," Martinez said. "Man, you know what, I already told them through my agent that I was going to be more than happy to do it before the season. We'll see what happens." Martinez was asked if Mauer's contract may change things for him. "I don't know," Martinez said. "I can't answer that question. I just worry about myself and just worry about being healthy and let things happen."

The Red Sox want to see if designated hitter David Ortiz will bounce back this season before making any decisions on the $12.5 million option they hold on him for 2011. Ortiz has no intentions of pressing the team to make a decision. He says he's been misquoted about his desire for a decision on the contract option. "People sometimes misinterpret things," Ortiz said. "Not sometimes, all the time." He says there's a difference between wanting something and being upset when it doesn't happen. "I was talking to someone about the last year of my contract, and I basically said (the Red Sox) haven't come to me and talked to me about it for a reason, a reason that I don't know, and that I'm not going to be happy about it," he said. "But to tell you the truth, I'm not focused on that. I'm focused on playing, letting things happen, and at some point they're going to come to me and say what's up, you know? That's how it is. It's not like I'm going to kill myself because of it."

The Twins and catcher Joe Mauer appear to be inching closer to an agreement on a long-term contract extension. Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, was seen near the team's training facility on Sunday, amid signs that advancements have been made. The expectation within the baseball industry is that Mauer deserves a contract of eight to 10 years, worth $20 million-$25 million annually.