Florida Marlins president Carl Barger dies from a heart attack at age 62. Despite the pall cast over the gathering by the death, the players’ agents scoop up $228 million dollars worth of contracts in the five days of the winter meetings. Because of the auction-like atmosphere, the owners will terminate the meetings for the next six years.

ByTom

Florida Marlins president Carl Barger dies from a heart attack at age 62. Despite the pall cast over the gathering by the death, the players’ agents scoop up $228 million dollars worth of contracts in the five days of the winter meetings. Because of the auction-like atmosphere, the owners will terminate the meetings for the next six years.

In other free agent signings, the Red Sox put OF Andre Dawson under contract for two years, the Giants sign OF Dave Martinez, the Cubs sign P Randy Myers, who had lost his closer role with San Diego for a month after giving up a game-tying home run to Dawson on June 2nd, to a three-year contract, and the Dodgers sign free agent P Todd Worrell to a three-year contract.

ByTom

In other free agent signings, the Red Sox put OF Andre Dawson under contract for two years, the Giants sign OF Dave Martinez, the Cubs sign P Randy Myers, who had lost his closer role with San Diego for a month after giving up a game-tying home run to Dawson on June 2nd, to a three-year contract, and the Dodgers sign free agent P Todd Worrell to a three-year contract.

The Braves sign free agent Cy Young Award and Gold Glove winner Greg Maddux to a five-year contract

The Braves sign free agent Cy Young Award and Gold Glove winner Greg Maddux to a five-year contract

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Braves sign free agent Cy Young Award and Gold Glove winner Greg Maddux to a five-year contract, and then trade pitchers Charlie Leibrandt and Pat Gomez to the Rangers in exchange for 3B Jose Oliva. Leibrandt (15-7) saw his star fall in Atlanta when he gave up 11th-inning extra base hits in the 1991 World Series and 1992 World Series. Maddux, who turned down a $28.5 million contract extension in mid-season with the Cubs, signs for $28 million, $6 million less than the Yankees offered.