The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

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The Mets, in need of a center fielder until Carlos Beltran returns to the lineup in early May, deal 30 year-old right-handed reliever Brian Stokes (2-4, 3.97) to the Angels in exchange for the highly-paid, but under-achieving Gary Matthews Jr. (.250, 4, 50). Los Angeles agrees to pay a significant portion of the slumping outfielder’s $50 million five-year contract that ‘Little Sarge’ signed three seasons ago with the Halos.

The Marlins deal Dan Uggla to the Braves for infielder Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn

The Marlins deal Dan Uggla to the Braves for infielder Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Marlins deal Dan Uggla to the Braves for infielder Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn. Atlanta’s acquisition of the two-time All-Star second baseman, who hit .287 with 33 homers and 105 RBIs last season, could be a signal the team is uncertain about Chipper Jones’ status for next year after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee.

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Brett Myers, a former first-round pick of the Phillies, signs a one-year deal with an option for 2011. The 29-year-old righthander spent time as ace and closer with the Phils but is coming off hip surgery. He winds up leading the Astros with 14 wins and is rewarded with an extension through 2013. 

ByTom

Brett Myers, a former first-round pick of the Phillies, signs a one-year deal with an option for 2011. The 29-year-old righthander spent time as ace and closer with the Phils but is coming off hip surgery. He winds up leading the Astros with 14 wins and is rewarded with an extension through 2013. 

OF Matt Holliday signs a seven-year deal worth $120 million to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals

OF Matt Holliday signs a seven-year deal worth $120 million to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals

ByThis Day in Baseball

OF Matt Holliday signs a seven-year deal worth $120 million to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals. The contract is the largest awarded this offseason and the biggest in team history, surpassing that of superstar Albert Pujols.

Matt Holliday collects four hits, drives in a run, and steals a base in his debut with St. Louis on the same day as the trade

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On the day he is traded by the A’s to the Cardinals for prospects Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen, and Shane Peterson, Matt Holliday collects four hits, drives in a run, and steals a base in his debut with St. Louis. Having hurried from New York, where his former team was continuing a series with the Yankees, the outfielder had to borrow a glove and shoes from his new teammates before the Redbirds’ 8-1 victory at Citizens Bank Park.

2009 – The Detroit Tigers surprisingly cut slugger Gary Sheffield, who is one home run shy of 500 for his career. Sheffield, a 9-time All-Star, is 25th on the all-time home run list and 27th in RBI (1,633). He only hit .178 in spring training, but went deep in 5 of 45 at-bats. He says he is not shocked, but is surprised. Marcus Thames will replace Sheffield as Detroit’s starting DH.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2009 – The Detroit Tigers surprisingly cut slugger Gary Sheffield, who is one home run shy of 500 for his career. Sheffield, a 9-time All-Star, is 25th on the all-time home run list and 27th in RBI (1,633). He only hit .178 in spring training, but went deep in 5 of 45 at-bats. He says he is not shocked, but is surprised. Marcus Thames will replace Sheffield as Detroit’s starting DH.

The Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal

The Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal

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2009 – After winning their first spring game of the year, the Astros fail to win their next 19 Grapefruit League contests until beating the Reds, 4-2, behind six shutout innings from Russ Ortiz. It comes the same day that the Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal. The 37-year-old Rodriguez is a 14-time All-Star with 13 Gold Gloves and fills a need as none of the other catchers in camp were hitting above .200 in spring action. 

The Blue Jays release former superstar Frank Thomas

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2008 – The Blue Jays release former superstar Frank Thomas, who has 516 major league home runs and a 979 career OPS to his name. A five-time All-Star and two-time MVP, Thomas has gotten into conflict with manager John Gibbons, who benched him. After a clubhouse meeting, Toronto G.M. J.P. Ricciardi and the designated hitter reach a “mutual agreement,” that gives the disgruntled player an opportunity to continue to be a full-time player on another team. Thomas is 12th all-time in major league history in OPS, 9th in walks and 18th in home runs. It is the third major player-manager conflict for Gibbons in his time with Toronto; he will be fired and replaced by Cito Gaston in a few weeks.

The Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers pull off a blockbuster deal for 3B Miguel Cabrera 

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2007 – The Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers pull off a blockbuster deal. Florida sends 3B Miguel Cabrera (an All-Star in four of his five seasons) and two-time All-Star P Dontrelle Willis for prospects Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller and Dallas Trahern. The Marlins also get Mike Rabelo, Eulogio De La Cruz and Burke Badenhop in the deal. Maybin and Miller had been Detroit’s first-round picks in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

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in 5 player deal Brad Lidge is dealt to the Phillies

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2007 – Ed Wade strikes a deal with Philadelphia, his former employer. Houston deals closer Brad Lidge and utilityman Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies for outfielder Michael Bourn, reliever Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo. Bourn spent three years at the University of Houston before signing with the Phils. Costanzo is dealt to Baltimore later that winter.