The Blue Jays take a bet that Jose Bautista’s breakout 2010 season, when he led the majors with 54 homers, was not a fluke.

The Blue Jays take a bet that Jose Bautista’s breakout 2010 season, when he led the majors with 54 homers, was not a fluke.

The Blue Jays take a bet that Jose Bautista’s breakout 2010 season, when he led the majors with 54 homers, was not a fluke. They sign the OF/3B to a five-year deal worth $65 million, avoiding arbitration.

With the same pen he used to sign his rookie contract in 2001, Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) signs a $184 million, eight-year contract extension, keeping him with the small market team through 2018. Last year, the 26 year-old backstop, after starting the season on the DL as result of back surgery the previous year, captured his third batting crown and was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player.

With the same pen he used to sign his rookie contract in 2001, Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) signs a $184 million, eight-year contract extension, keeping him with the small market team through 2018. Last year, the 26 year-old backstop, after starting the season on the DL as result of back surgery the previous year, captured his third batting crown and was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player.

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The New York Yankees reach an agreement with free agent hurler CC Sabathia for a seven-year, $161 million deal, a new record for a pitcher. Sabathia had gone 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA for the Brewers after starting the season with Cleveland where he won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award.

The New York Yankees reach an agreement with free agent hurler CC Sabathia for a seven-year, $161 million deal, a new record for a pitcher. Sabathia had gone 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA for the Brewers after starting the season with Cleveland where he won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award.

Roger Clemens agrees to a one-year deal worth $28 million to pitch for the New York Yankees
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Roger Clemens agrees to a one-year deal worth $28 million to pitch for the New York Yankees

On May 5, 2007, Roger Clemens agrees to a one-year deal worth $28 million to pitch for the New York Yankees. Appearing in George Steinbrenner’s private suite at Yankee Stadium during the seventh inning stretch, Clemens announces over the PA speaker in dramatic fashion that he will return to the team that he pitched for…

Roger Clemens signs a one-year deal with the Astros, coming back for another season
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Roger Clemens signs a one-year deal with the Astros, coming back for another season

On May 31, 2006, Roger Clemens agrees to terms on a one-year deal with the Houston Astros to come back for a 23rd season, or at least the remaining four months of the current season. After winning the NL Cy Young Award in his first season with Houston in 2004, and leading the team to their first World Series…