The Chicago White Sox announce that pitcher Bill Simas will miss the entire season following ligament replacement surgery on his elbow last month.
Free agent signings include outfielder Juan Gonzalez by the Cleveland Indians, and catcher Kelly Stinnett and infielder Wilton Guerrero by the Cincinnati Reds.
Needing only 145 hits to reach 3,000, Harold Baines agrees to a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. The 21-season veteran, who will turn 42 during spring training, played with the Baltimore Orioles and White Sox last season. He will only get into 32 games with the club and add 11 hits before retiring.
In a three-way deal, the Kansas City Royals obtain catcher A.J. Hinch, infielder Angel Berroa and cash from the Oakland Athletics, and pitcher Roberto Hernández from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; Oakland receives P Cory Lidle from Tampa Bay, and outfielder Johnny Damon and infielder Mark Ellis from Kansas City, and Tampa Bay receives OF Ben Grieve from Oakland.
The St. Louis Cardinals, needing help due the departures of infielder Shawon Dunston and outfielder Eric Davis, sign their first free agents of the off-season: outfielders Bobby Bonilla, Bernard Gilkey and John Mabry, and infielder Shane Andrews.
The plan to name a new downtown Montréal, QC ballpark “Labatt Park” dim as the Canadian Labatt Brewing Company announces it is ending its 15-year sponsorship of the Expos. The company cites the lack of a local television contract and stalled stadium plans as factors in the decision.
Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who has won seven batting titles in the Pacific League, is signed by the Seattle Mariners to a $14,088,000, three-year contract.
Free agent signings include outfielder Reggie Sanders by the Diamondbacks; infielder Greg Norton by the Rockies, both for one year; and pitcher Mark Guthrie by the Athletics for two years.
2001 – Free agent pitcher Ismael Valdez is signed by the Angels.
Houston signs infielder Charlie Hayes to a contract. The veteran hits .200 in 50 at bats but might be best remembered for a chair-throwing incident early in the year.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!