In yet another unwise trade of prospects for aging veterans, the Yankees deal pitchers Brian Fisher, Doug Drabek and Logan Easley to the Pirates for pitchers Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements. Drabek will win the National League Cy Young Award in 1990.

St. Louis Cardinals reliever Todd Worrell, who led the National League with 36 saves, is named Rookie of the Year. Worrell had helped St. Louis to the 1985 World Series as a late-season call-up but was still a rookie this season as defined by the BBWAA.

A groundbreaking ceremony is held to build what will eventually be known as Tropicana Field, a venue for hosting baseball fans from Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, before securing a major league franchise. The Florida Suncoast Dome, the ballpark’s original name, will be completed in 1990, but will not field a MLB team until eight years later when the expansion Devil Rays play their first game, although, at various times during the interim, it’s rumored the White Sox, Mariners, and Giants are making plans to be tenants in the Pinellas County facility.

1986 – The Doubleday Publishing Company agrees to sell the World Champion New York Mets to Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon for $80.75 million. The company had purchased the Mets for a then-record $21.1 million in 1980.

Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon buy the World Champion Mets from the Doubleday Publishing Company for $80.75 million. In 1980, the book company had bought the franchise for a then-record $21.1 million.

45-year-old player-manager Pete Rose is dropped from the Reds’ 40-man major league roster to make room for pitcher Pat Pacillo. Rose will continue to manage the club.