Montreal reliever Mel Rojas signs with the Cubs for a three-year $13.75 million contract. With Ugueth Urbina waiting in the wings, the Expos found the expensive Rojas expendable.

Montreal reliever Mel Rojas signs with the Cubs for a three-year $13.75 million contract. With Ugueth Urbina waiting in the wings, the Expos found the expensive Rojas expendable.

1996 – The Rockies sign free agent C Kirt Manwaring to a two-year contract, the Blue Jays sign C Benito Santiago to a two-year contract and the Marlins sign P Alex Fernandez to a five-year deal.

1996 – The Rockies sign free agent C Kirt Manwaring to a two-year contract, the Blue Jays sign C Benito Santiago to a two-year contract and the Marlins sign P Alex Fernandez to a five-year deal.

1996 – The Orioles sign free agent P Jimmy Key to a two-year contract and the Dodgers sign 3B Todd Zeile to a three-year contract.

1996 – The Orioles sign free agent P Jimmy Key to a two-year contract and the Dodgers sign 3B Todd Zeile to a three-year contract.

The Seattle Mariners acquire righty Scott Sanders from the Padres for lefty Sterling Hitchcock.

1996 – The Seattle Mariners acquire righty Scott Sanders‚ (9-5‚ 3.38 ERA) from the Padres for lefty Sterling Hitchcock. Hitchcock was the ace of the Mariner staff after Randy Johnson went down with back surgery. He finished with a 13-9 record‚ but had a 5.35 ERA.

Two days after signing C Joe Girardi, the Yankees send back-up catcher Jim Leyritz to the Angels in exchange for minor leaguers Ryan Kane and Jeremy Blevins. Leyritz, the Yankee with the longest tenure – 5 years, 126 days – was vulnerable because of his $1.75 million yearly contract.

Two days after signing C Joe Girardi, the Yankees send back-up catcher Jim Leyritz to the Angels in exchange for minor leaguers Ryan Kane and Jeremy Blevins. Leyritz, the Yankee with the longest tenure – 5 years, 126 days – was vulnerable because of his $1.75 million yearly contract.

The new collective bargaining agreement is unanimously approved by the Players’ association executive committee, clearing the path for interleague play and guaranteeing no work stoppages until 2001.

The new collective bargaining agreement is unanimously approved by the Players’ association executive committee, clearing the path for interleague play and guaranteeing no work stoppages until 2001.

Following his most productive season with the Oakland A’s, Terry Steinbach elects to take less money and return home. Like Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor and Jack Morris before him, the Minnesota veteran signs with Twins.

Following his most productive season with the Oakland A’s, Terry Steinbach elects to take less money and return home. Like Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor and Jack Morris before him, the Minnesota veteran signs with Twins.

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1996 – John Bateman dies in Sand Spring, TX at age 56. The native Texan would enjoy a ten-year big-league career with a .230 batting average and 81 home runs. 

1996 – John Bateman dies in Sand Spring, TX at age 56. The native Texan would enjoy a ten-year big-league career with a .230 batting average and 81 home runs.