2001 – Hideki Matsui signs a one-year, $4.7 million contract to play for the Yomiuri Giants, becoming the highest-paid player in Nippon Pro Baseball history. The outfielder’s salary surpasses the $4 million mark the Orix Blue Wave gave Ichiro Suzuki for the 2000 season.
2001 – The Texas Rangers sign highly-sought free agent pitcher Chan Ho Park to a five-year, $65 million contract. The Korean right-hander led the Dodgers last year in wins (15), starts (35), innings pitched (234.0), strikeouts (218) and opponents’ batting average (.187).
2001 – The Boston Red Sox sign free agent CF Johnny Damon to a four-year contract.
Last season’s American League strikeout leader with 220, free agent Hideo Nomo (13-10, 4.50), inks a $13.75 million, two-year deal with the Dodgers. The former Red Sox right-hander was the National League Rookie of the Year when he broke into the majors with Los Angeles in 1995.
The Jean Yawkey Trust announces all the partners have unanimously voted to sell 100 percent of the Red Sox, a family-owned business since 1933, to a group of investors led by Florida Marlins owner John Henry who also has a one percent share of the Yankees and is the managing partner-in-waiting of the Sox. The price tag, rumored to be $600+ million, doubles the largest amount ever spent to buy a team.
The Braves sign free agent P Albie Lopez to a one-year contract.
2001 – Free agent Moises Alou (.331, 27, 108) signs a $27 million, three-year deal with the Cubs. The former Astro All-Star’s presence in the Chicago line-up, along with Fred McGriff and Sammy Sosa, will give the team a fearsome 3-4-5 threesome. The Cubs sign also trade OF Michael Tucker to the Royals in exchange for a player to be named.
Several hours before a midnight deadline, Barry Bonds accepts the Giants’ offer of salary arbitration. San Francisco’s decision to go to arbitration avoids a bidding war for their franchise player, and this season’s National League MVP will be likely worth at least $20 million for one year of service.
Colorado sends Pokey Reese, acquired from the Reds yesterday, to the Red Sox for C Scott Hatteberg. The Sox will make Pokey a free agent by not tendering him a contract and he’ll sign in January with Pittsburgh. Hatteberg will go the same route and sign with the A’s.
Filling the void created by Mark McGwire’s unexpected retirement, the Cardinals sign first baseman Tino Martinez to a $21 million, three-year contract. After he was replaced in the Yankees lineup by Jason Giambi, the former Bronx Bomber said the Cardinals were his first choice as a free agent.
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