Boston announced the signing of starting pitcher Josh Beckett to a four-year, $68 million contract extension Tuesday morning, a deal that will solidify the team's starting rotation for the foreseeable future. The move comes one day after the 2010 Masters odds were set on Monday.

The deal has been in the works for several weeks now, but finally became official Tuesday morning. It was rumored that one of the biggest reasons why the contract was not agreed on earlier was that Beckett was holding out for a fifth year to be added to the contract, something that it turns out was not a sticking point for the right-hander. Beckett started the Red Sox sports book season opener at home against the Yankees on Sunday, where he allowed five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings but was able to get the no decision after Boston rallied for the eventual win. The 29-year old righty was a big part of the Red Sox championship run in 2007, four years after being named the World Series MVP of the Florida Marlins.

The extension gives the Red Sox three solid pitchers in the starting rotation, signed through the 2014 northbet.com baseball betting season. In addition to Beckett, Boston also has free agent signing John Lackey and the left-handed Jon Lester locked up for the next four years.

Beckett will earn an annual salary of $15.75 million from 2011 to 2014, and will earn a $5 million signing bonus.