2000 – The Braves sign 1B Rico Brogna to a contract, the Padres sign IF Alex Arias for the next two years, and, outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract.

ByTom

2000 – The Braves sign 1B Rico Brogna to a contract, the Padres sign IF Alex Arias for the next two years, and, outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract.

|

2000 – Disappointments Mitch Meluskey, Roger Cedeno and Chris Holt are sent to the Detroit Tigers for catcher Brad Ausmus and pitchers Doug Brocail and Nelson Cruz. It’s the second trip to Houston for both Ausmus and Brocail. Meluskey leaves with a .291 career average and 15 homers but questions arose about his abilities behind the plate. Holt leaves with a 21-42 record. 

ByTom

2000 – Disappointments Mitch Meluskey, Roger Cedeno and Chris Holt are sent to the Detroit Tigers for catcher Brad Ausmus and pitchers Doug Brocail and Nelson Cruz. It’s the second trip to Houston for both Ausmus and Brocail. Meluskey leaves with a .291 career average and 15 homers but questions arose about his abilities behind the plate. Holt leaves with a 21-42 record. 

Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million. The quarter billion dollars doubles the previous high of $126 million paid by the NBA’s Timberwolves to Kevin Garnett in a six-year agreement signed in October, 1997.

Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million. The quarter billion dollars doubles the previous high of $126 million paid by the NBA’s Timberwolves to Kevin Garnett in a six-year agreement signed in October, 1997.

ByTom

Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million. The quarter billion dollars doubles the previous high of $126 million paid by the NBA’s Timberwolves to Kevin Garnett in a six-year agreement signed in October, 1997.

The Tigers obtain P Chris Holt, OF Roger Cedeno, and C Mitch Meluskey from the Astros for C Brad Ausmus and pitchers Doug Brocail and Nelson Cruz. Houston catchers threw out 22% of base stealers in 2000, while Ausmus gunned down 42%.

ByTom

The Tigers obtain P Chris Holt, OF Roger Cedeno, and C Mitch Meluskey from the Astros for C Brad Ausmus and pitchers Doug Brocail and Nelson Cruz. Houston catchers threw out 22% of base stealers in 2000, while Ausmus gunned down 42%.

Rockies announce the signing of free agent starting pitcher Mike Hampton to an eight-year, $123.8 million contract

Rockies announce the signing of free agent starting pitcher Mike Hampton to an eight-year, $123.8 million contract

ByTom

2000 – At a Coors Field press conference, the Rockies announce the signing of free agent starting pitcher Mike Hampton to an eight-year, $123.8 million contract. The southpaw will compile a 21-28 record during his two-year tenure with Colorado before being unloaded on the Braves before the 2003 season.

The Diamondbacks sign free agent 1B Mark Grace to a two-year contract. Grace was with the Cubs for 13 years and had more hits in the 1990s than any other player.

ByTom

The Diamondbacks sign free agent 1B Mark Grace to a two-year contract. Grace was with the Cubs for 13 years and had more hits in the 1990s than any other player.

In other free agent signings today, the Giants sign veteran IF Shawon Dunston, the Pirates sign P Terry Mulholland, the Rangers sign 1B Andres Galarraga to a contract and the Cubs sign P Jeff Fassero to a two-year contract.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In other free agent signings today, the Giants sign veteran IF Shawon Dunston, the Pirates sign P Terry Mulholland, the Rangers sign 1B Andres Galarraga to a contract and the Cubs sign P Jeff Fassero to a two-year contract.