Filling the void created by Mark McGwire’s unexpected retirement, the Cardinals sign first baseman Tino Martinez to a $21 million, three-year contract. After he was replaced in the Yankees lineup by Jason Giambi, the former Bronx Bomber said the Cardinals were his first choice as a free agent.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Filling the void created by Mark McGwire’s unexpected retirement, the Cardinals sign first baseman Tino Martinez to a $21 million, three-year contract. After he was replaced in the Yankees lineup by Jason Giambi, the former Bronx Bomber said the Cardinals were his first choice as a free agent.

The Indians send troubled P John Rocker to the Rangers in exchange for minor league P Dave Elder. The reliever, not known for his clubhouse diplomacy, will join recently-acquired Carl Everett, who also has had difficulties with management and teammates.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Indians send troubled P John Rocker to the Rangers in exchange for minor league P Dave Elder. The reliever, not known for his clubhouse diplomacy, will join recently-acquired Carl Everett, who also has had difficulties with management and teammates.

Giant southpaw Shawn Estes (9-8, 4.02) is traded to the Mets for outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo (.267, 10, 56) and utility man Desi Relaford (.302, 8, 36). The Mets also sign free agent P Pedro Astacio, suffering from a torn labrum, to a one-year contract worth $5 million.

ByTom

Giant southpaw Shawn Estes (9-8, 4.02) is traded to the Mets for outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo (.267, 10, 56) and utility man Desi Relaford (.302, 8, 36). The Mets also sign free agent P Pedro Astacio, suffering from a torn labrum, to a one-year contract worth $5 million.

The Giants obtain their first Japanese player since 1964 when Masanori Murakami became the first ballplayer from Japan to appear in a major league game. San Francisco trades starting pitcher Shawn Estes (9-8, 4.02) to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo (.267, 10, 56) and infielder Desi Relaford (.302, 8, 36), who will be traded the Mariners for David Bell.

ByTom

The Giants obtain their first Japanese player since 1964 when Masanori Murakami became the first ballplayer from Japan to appear in a major league game. San Francisco trades starting pitcher Shawn Estes (9-8, 4.02) to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo (.267, 10, 56) and infielder Desi Relaford (.302, 8, 36), who will be traded the Mariners for David Bell.

The Red Sox acquire P Dustin Hermanson from the Cardinals in exchange for three minor leaguers – OF Rick Asadoorian, and 1B Luis Alfonso Garcia and Dustin Brisson.

ByTom

The Red Sox acquire P Dustin Hermanson from the Cardinals in exchange for three minor leaguers – OF Rick Asadoorian, and 1B Luis Alfonso Garcia and Dustin Brisson.

2001 – The Mariners acquire 32-year-old two-time All-Star third baseman Jeff Cirillo (.312, 17, 83) from the Rockies in exchange for reliever Jose Paniagua and minor leaguers Dennis Stark and Brian Fuentes.

ByTom

2001 – The Mariners acquire 32-year-old two-time All-Star third baseman Jeff Cirillo (.312, 17, 83) from the Rockies in exchange for reliever Jose Paniagua and minor leaguers Dennis Stark and Brian Fuentes.

The San Francisco Giants sign free agent pitcher Jason Schmidt to a $31-million four-year deal. After being traded by Pittsburgh, Schmidt was 7-1 for San Francisco last season.

ByTom

The San Francisco Giants sign free agent pitcher Jason Schmidt to a $31-million four-year deal. After being traded by Pittsburgh, Schmidt was 7-1 for San Francisco last season.