Ken Griffey, Jr. becomes the highest-paid major league player by signing a four-year, $34 million contract with Seattle.
1996 – Ken Griffey, Jr. becomes the highest-paid major league player by signing a four-year, $34 million contract with Seattle.
1996 – Free agent catcher Benito Santiago is signed by the Philadelphia Phillies to a one-year $1.7 million contract.
1996 – Free agent catcher Benito Santiago is signed by the Philadelphia Phillies to a one-year $1.7 million contract.
1996 – The Boston Red Sox trade outfielders Lee Tinsley and Glenn Murray and pitcher Ken Ryan to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb and two prospects.
1996 – The Boston Red Sox trade outfielders Lee Tinsley and Glenn Murray and pitcher Ken Ryan to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb and two prospects.
The St. Louis Cardinals send outfielder Bernard Gilkey to the New York Mets in exchange for pitchers Eric Ludwick, Erik Hiljus and Yudith Orozio.
The St. Louis Cardinals send outfielder Bernard Gilkey to the New York Mets in exchange for pitchers Eric Ludwick, Erik Hiljus and Yudith Orozio.
The Oakland Athletics send outfielder Danny Tartabull to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitcher Andrew Lorraine and Charles Poe.
The Oakland Athletics send outfielder Danny Tartabull to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitcher Andrew Lorraine and Charles Poe.
The Milwaukee Brewers sign free agent starter Ben McDonald to a $7 million, two-year contract.
The Milwaukee Brewers sign free agent starter Ben McDonald to a $7 million, two-year contract.
Free agent IF/OF Tony Phillips and the Chicago White Sox agree to a $4.3 million, two-year contract.
Free agent IF/OF Tony Phillips and the Chicago White Sox agree to a $4.3 million, two-year contract.
The San Francisco Giants sign much-acclaimed amateur free agent Osvaldo Fernandez
The San Francisco Giants sign much-acclaimed amateur free agent Osvaldo Fernandez. The Cuban national squad’s All-Star pitcher, who defected as his club played Team USA in Tennessee, will post a disappointing 10-17 record during two seasons with the Giants.
Major League Baseball Approves Inter League Play
On January 16, 1996, major league baseball’s executive council approves a history-making first: inter-league play for the 1997 season. The Players’ Association will eventually give its approval, enabling geographic rivals like the Mets and Yankees, Cubs and White Sox, and Angels and Dodgers to play each other during the regular season.
Cuban defector Livan Hernandez agrees to a $4.5 million four-year deal, which includes a record $2.5 million bonus, to pitch for the Marlins. The 20 year-old right-hander, known as ‘El Duque,’ will post a mediocre 24-24 record during his four years with the club, but will play a pivotal role in the team’s 1997 World Championship, winning both of his World Series starts.
Cuban defector Livan Hernandez agrees to a $4.5 million four-year deal, which includes a record $2.5 million bonus, to pitch for the Marlins. The 20 year-old right-hander, known as ‘El Duque,’ will post a mediocre 24-24 record during his four years with the club, but will play a pivotal role in the team’s 1997 World Championship, winning both of his World Series starts.
