The San Diego Padres obtain OF Al Martin from the Pirates for OF John Vander Wal, and pitchers Jim Sak and Geraldo Padua. San Diego also signs pitcher Matt Clement to a four-year agreement.
2000 – A Florida Department of Corrections report says New York Yankees OF Darryl Strawberry tested positive for cocaine on January 19th.
2000 – The Cincinnati Reds announce the team has dropped its ban on earrings but denies that the acquisition of Ken Griffey, Jr. is the reason. Players have worn them in the clubhouse, but weren’t allowed on the field with them.
The Boston Red Sox sign outfielder Carl Everett to a three-year contract.
The Oakland Athletics obtain OF Jeremy Giambi from the Kansas City Royals for P Brett Laxton. Giambi joins his brother, Jason Giambi, in Oakland, becoming the sixth brother combo to play for the team. The move is widely hailed as a brilliant one by statistically-minded fans.
2000 – The Reds send four players – pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Mike Cameron and two minor leaguers to the Mariners and agree to a contract extension to obtain Seattle’s superstar Ken Griffey Jr. Junior’s nine-year $116.5 million contract is the richest package in history, but in the current market is considered quite a bargain.
“I would retire first. It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you’re [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing.” – JOHN ROCKER, commenting in a Sports Illustrated article on his feelings about playing for a New York team. Commissioner Bud Selig suspends John Rocker until May 1, a span of 73 days, due to the Braves closer’s racial and ethnic insensitive remarks reported in a Sports Illustrated article written by Jeff Pearlman. The 25 year-old reliever from Georgia, who is also fined $20,000 and ordered to attend sensitivity training, becomes the first player to be disciplined for comments made publicly.
2000 – The New York Mets announce that singer Garth Brooks will participate in spring training with the team. Brooks worked out last spring with the San Diego Padres going 1 for 22 for a .045 batting average.
2000 – The Baltimore Orioles sign free agent pitcher Pat Rapp to a contract.
2000 – The Cleveland Indians sign free agent pitcher Scott Sanders after his agent spurns a multi-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.
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