On February 12, 1981, Arbitrator Raymond Goetz officially declares Carlton Fisk a free agent, citing the Boston Red Sox had violated the CBA by not mailing the catcher’s contract by the December 20th deadline as specified in the agreement. Next month, the 33 year-old future Hall of Fame backstop will sign a $3.5 million deal…
Joe Morgan signs a free agent contract with the San Francisco Giants
On January 23, 1981, the Boston Red Sox trade one-time American League MVP Fred Lynn and pitcher Steve Renko to the California Angels for outfielder Joe Rudi and pitchers Frank Tanana and Jim Dorsey. Lynn will struggle in his first year with the Angels, batting only .219 in 76 games. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@
1981 – Four-time Gold Glove Award winner Cesar Gerónimo is traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Kansas City Royals for a minor league prospect, German Barranca.
On January 12, 1981, the Atlanta Braves sign future Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry to a free agent contract. The 42-year-old Perry will be joining his sixth major league team, after splitting the 1980 season between the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Other Resources & Links
On January 8, 1981, outfielder/first baseman Larry Biittner becomes the first free agent ever signed by the Cincinnati Reds. Since free agency had been instituted in 1976, the often-conservative Reds were the only team to refuse to enter the market. It does not go well when the 35 year-old first baseman/outfielder bats only .213…
December 12, 1980 – The Mariners trade Larry Cox, Rick Honeycutt, Willie Horton, Mario Mendoza and Leon Roberts to the Texas Rangers for Steve Finch, Brian Allard, Rick Auerbach, Ken Clay, Jerry Don Gleaton and Richie Zisk. Honeycutt will lead the league in era in 1983 for the Rangers. Zisk will have 2 productive years…
St. Louis Cardinals send pitchers Rollie Fingers and Pete Vuckovich, and catcher Ted Simmons to the Milwaukee Brewers
1980 – The Red Sox trade SS Rick Burleson and 3B Butch Hobson to the Angels for 3B Carney Lansford, CF Rick Miller, and P Mark Clear.
1980 – The Cubs trade reliever Bruce Sutter, the 1979 National League Cy Young Award winner, to the Cardinals for 3B Ken Reitz, OF-1B Leon Durham, and a player to be named.