The Mets complete a $37 million, three-year contract with free-agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez. The former Angels’ closer, who fills a big void in the New York bullpen due to Billy Wagner’s injury, set a major league record last season, recording 62 saves.

The Mets complete a $37 million, three-year contract with free-agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez. The former Angels’ closer, who fills a big void in the New York bullpen due to Billy Wagner’s injury, set a major league record last season, recording 62 saves.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies exchange catchers. Ronny Paulino, on the outs with manager John Russell, goes to Philadelphia in exchange for AAA backstop Jason Jaramillo.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies exchange catchers. Ronny Paulino, on the outs with manager John Russell, goes to Philadelphia in exchange for AAA backstop Jason Jaramillo.

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The New York Yankees reach an agreement with free agent hurler CC Sabathia for a seven-year, $161 million deal, a new record for a pitcher. Sabathia had gone 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA for the Brewers after starting the season with Cleveland where he won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award.

The New York Yankees reach an agreement with free agent hurler CC Sabathia for a seven-year, $161 million deal, a new record for a pitcher. Sabathia had gone 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA for the Brewers after starting the season with Cleveland where he won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award.

The New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians conduct a twelve-player deal at the winter meetings. New York gets J.J. Putz, Jeremy Reed and Sean Green from Seattle, the Mariners pick up Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp, Ezequiel Carrera and Maikel Cleto from New York and Franklin Gutierrez from Cleveland, and the Indians add Luis Valbuena from Seattle and Joe Smith from New York.

The New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians conduct a twelve-player deal at the winter meetings. New York gets J.J. Putz, Jeremy Reed and Sean Green from Seattle, the Mariners pick up Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp, Ezequiel Carrera and Maikel Cleto from New York and Franklin Gutierrez from Cleveland, and the Indians add Luis Valbuena from Seattle and Joe Smith from New York.

2008 – The Baltimore Orioles free up a spot for top prospect Matt Wieters by trading Ramon Hernandez to the Cincinnati Reds. Baltimore acquires Ryan Freel, Justin Turner and Brandon Waring in the deal.

2008 – The Baltimore Orioles free up a spot for top prospect Matt Wieters by trading Ramon Hernandez to the Cincinnati Reds. Baltimore acquires Ryan Freel, Justin Turner and Brandon Waring in the deal.

The Detroit Tigers try to shore up a gap at catcher by acquiring Gerald Laird from the Texas Rangers. They give up two pitching prospects, Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo.

The Detroit Tigers try to shore up a gap at catcher by acquiring Gerald Laird from the Texas Rangers. They give up two pitching prospects, Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo.

Joe Gordon becomes the first player elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee since it was reconstituted.
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Joe Gordon becomes the first player elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee since it was reconstituted.

Joe Gordon becomes the first player elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee since it was reconstituted. It had been 7 years since Bill Mazeroski had been the most recent pick by the Committee. The new Committee had been criticized for not enshrining anyone in their first elections.

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Greg Maddux announces his retirement. The four-time Cy Young Award winner set all-time records for putouts by a pitcher (546), double plays (98) and seasons with 15+ wins (18). He finishes with a record of 355-227 with a 3.16 ERA (132 ERA+) and ranks in the top 10 all time in wins (8th) and starts (740, 4th). Maddux, like 354-game winner Roger Clemens, began his career while sportswriters were bemoaning the fact that no one would ever reach 300 wins again.

Greg Maddux announces his retirement. The four-time Cy Young Award winner set all-time records for putouts by a pitcher (546), double plays (98) and seasons with 15+ wins (18). He finishes with a record of 355-227 with a 3.16 ERA (132 ERA+) and ranks in the top 10 all time in wins (8th) and starts (740, 4th). Maddux, like 354-game winner Roger Clemens, began his career while sportswriters were bemoaning the fact that no one would ever reach 300 wins again.

The San Francisco Giants sign free agent Edgar Renteria to replace Omar Vizquel at shortstop. The deal is for $18.5 million over two years.

The San Francisco Giants sign free agent Edgar Renteria to replace Omar Vizquel at shortstop. The deal is for $18.5 million over two years.

The Atlanta Braves acquire pitchers Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan from the Chicago White Sox in a deal for Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, Brent Lillibridge and Santos Rodriguez.

The Atlanta Braves acquire pitchers Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan from the Chicago White Sox in a deal for Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, Brent Lillibridge and Santos Rodriguez.