On May 7, 2016 In the New York Mets’ 6-3 victory over the San Diego Padres, 42 year old Pitcher Bartolo Colon of the Mets, already known for his wildly entertaining at-bats, becomes the oldest player to hit his first career home run when he deposits a ball into the left-field stands at Petco Park against James Shields of the Padres. Hall of Famer Randy…
Major League Season Recap 2016 World Series – Chicago Cubs NL over Cleveland Indians AL 4 games to 3 World Series MVP – Ben Zobrist Babe Ruth Award – Jon Lester Championship Series ALCS Cleveland Indians over Toronto Blue Jays 4 games to 1 ALCS MVP – Andrew Miller NLCS Chicago Cubs over Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 2…
2016 – The Dodgers re-sign 3B Justin Turner for four years and $64 million. The late-bloomer was the team’s best offensive player in 2016 with 27 homers and 90 RBIs.
2016 – The Indians sign free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year deal worth $60 million, while the Pirates re-sign SP Ivan Nova also for three years but for $26 million.
2016 – The Phillies acquire veteran SP Clay Buchholz from the Red Sox in return for 2B prospect Josh Tobias.
The Marlins sign two relievers who pitched for the Red Sox this year, Junichi Tazawa, who gets a two-year deal for $12 million, and Brad Ziegler, who will receive $16 million over two years.
A record number of six teams are assessed luxury tax payments for the coming season. Not surprisingly, the Dodgers ($31.8 million) and Yankees ($27.4 million) lead the pack of profligate spenders by a long shot. They are joined by Boston, Detroit, San Francisco and the Cubs, who are all assessed penalties under $5 million. The Yankees have been assessed a penalty in each of the 14 years the system has been in existence.
2016 – Astros sign 40-year-old outfielder Carlos Beltran to a one-year deal for $16 million. Beltran becomes the Designated Hitter, batting .231 with 14 homers, and providing veteran leadership to the team’s many Latin players. His reward is to close out his career with the Worlds Championship he had previously lacked.
The Giants make the final payment on AT&T Park, 17 years after playing their first game in the new ballpark located in the China Basin. The team’s home, originally known as Pacific Bell Park when the gates opened in 2000, was built by HOK Sport at the cost of $357 million.
2016 – The Dodgers re-sign closer Kenley Jansen for five years and $80 million, while the Rays finalize their deal with C Wilson Ramos, drawn away from the Nationals by a two-year deal worth $12.5 million.