1999

Red Sox P Tom Gordon has ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow, and will miss the 2000 season. According to the Red Sox, there is only a 15% to 20% chance that he will ever pitch again, but he will beat those odds and pitch until 2009, when he is done at age 41.

In what is believed to be baseball’s first 4-team swap since 1985, the Rockies obtain 3B Jeff Cirillo, P Rolando Arrojo and Scott Karl, and IF Aaron Ledesma, the Devil Rays obtain 3B Vinny Castilla, the Brewers obtain P Jamey Wright and Jimmy Haynes and C Henry Blanco, and the Athletics obtain P Justin Miller.

The Rangers obtain OF Chad Curtis from the Yankees in exchange for minor league pitchers Sam Marsonek and Brandon Knight.

The Marlins obtain OF Brant Brown from the Pirates in exchange for OF Bruce Aven.

The Cubs obtain P Ismael Valdes (9-14) and 2B Eric Young from the Dodgers for pitchers Terry Adams and Chad Ricketts, and a player to be named. Despite missing 40 games, Young swiped 51 bases in 1999.

The Royals obtain IF Jeff Reboulet from the Orioles for a player to be named.

The Phillies obtain P Chris Brock from the Giants in exchange for C Bobby Estalella.

1999 – The Cubs obtain OF Damon Buford from the Red Sox in exchange for IF Manny Alexander.

The Cubs sign free agent C Joe Girardi, late of the Yankees, to a three-year contract.

Babe Ruth is voted Player of the Century by an Associated Press panel. Willie Mays comes in second.