1984 â After failing to trade him, the New York Mets give veteran slugger Dave Kingman his release. Kingman hit .198 with 13 home runs last year, but will find a new home as designated hitter with the Oakland Athletics, hitting 35 home runs this year, ranking second behind American League leader Tony Armas, who will finish with 43.
On January 20, 1984, the Montreal Expos sign 42-year-old free agent Pete Rose. The veteran first baseman batted only .245 in 1983, the last of his five seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. Rose will play only 95 games for the Expos before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds.
  On January 20, 1984, the Chicago White Sox claim 39 year old Tom Seaver from the New York Mets as compensation for the loss of free agent pitcher Dennis Lamp to the Toronto Blue Jays.. The 39-year-old Seaver won only nine games in 1983, and the Mets left Seaver off their protected listâŠ
On January 10, 1984, Luis Aparicio, Don Drysdale, and Harmon Killebrew are elected to the Hall of Fame. Killebrew totaled 573 home runs to rank fifth on the all-time list, Drysdale won 209 games with a 2.95 era, and Aparicio led the American League in stolen bases nine straight seasons. Killebrew gains election in hisâŠ
The Padres, outbidding a dozen teams, come to terms with Yankee free-agent Goose Gossage, agreeing to a five-year deal with the right-handed reliever reportedly worth more than $5.5 million. During his four seasons in San Diego as the teamâs closer, the 32 year-old will average close to 21 saves per season while winning 25 games, helping the Friars reach their first-ever World Series this year.
On January 5, 1984, the New York Yankees sign future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro to a two-year contract. Niekro, who went 11-10 with a 3.97 ERA for the Atlanta Braves in 1983, will fill a void in the Yankee rotation and allow the team to move Dave Righetti to the bullpen. Niekro will winâŠ
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