Due the acquisition of All-Star catcher Mike Piazza, the Mets deal fan favorite Todd Hundley along with minor league pitcher Arnold Gooch to the Dodgers for outfielder Roger Cedeño and catcher Charles Johnson. The Mets then send Johnson to Baltimore to obtain closer Armando Benitez.

ByTom

Due the acquisition of All-Star catcher Mike Piazza, the Mets deal fan favorite Todd Hundley along with minor league pitcher Arnold Gooch to the Dodgers for outfielder Roger Cedeño and catcher Charles Johnson. The Mets then send Johnson to Baltimore to obtain closer Armando Benitez.

Bypassing his agent and making the deal himself, Rafael Palmeiro turns down a bigger offer from Baltimore and signs a five-year $45 million contract to stay with the Rangers.

ByTom

Bypassing his agent and making the deal himself, Rafael Palmeiro turns down a bigger offer from Baltimore and signs a five-year $45 million contract to stay with the Rangers.

1997 – The Arizona Diamondbacks obtain 3B Matt Williams from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for 3B Travis Fryman, P Tom Martin, and $3 million.

ByTom

1997 – The Arizona Diamondbacks obtain 3B Matt Williams from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for 3B Travis Fryman, P Tom Martin, and $3 million.

The Chicago Cubs sign free agent pitcher Juan Guzman to a four-year contract. Guzman is coming off his best major league season, winning 16 games for the Texas Rangers.

ByTom

The Chicago Cubs sign free agent pitcher Juan Guzman to a four-year contract. Guzman is coming off his best major league season, winning 16 games for the Texas Rangers.

Mark Langston reaches an agreement with the Angels on a five-year contract worth $16 million

Mark Langston reaches an agreement with the Angels on a five-year contract worth $16 million

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mark Langston reaches an agreement with the Angels on a five-year contract worth $16 million, making the left-handed pitcher the latest highest-paid player in baseball history. The 29 year-old free agent, who had a combined 16-14 record with the Mariners and Expos last season, rejected Montreal’s three-year, $9 million offer last summer that would have made him the first major leaguer to have averaged $3 million a season.

Former Indian outfielder Brett Butler signs a two-year, $1.8 million free-agent deal with the Giants. The 31 year-old leadoff hitter, who will play a vital role when San Francisco captures the NL pennant in 1989, replaces Chili Davis, who signed with the Angels, as the team’s center fielder.

ByTom

Former Indian outfielder Brett Butler signs a two-year, $1.8 million free-agent deal with the Giants. The 31 year-old leadoff hitter, who will play a vital role when San Francisco captures the NL pennant in 1989, replaces Chili Davis, who signed with the Angels, as the team’s center fielder.

1980 – Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Steve Howe wins the 1980 National League Rookie of the Year Award, edging Montreal Expos starter Bill Gullickson and outfielder Lonnie Smith of the Philadelphia Phillies. Howe posted a 7-9 record with a 2.65 ERA and 17 saves.

ByTom

1980 – Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Steve Howe wins the 1980 National League Rookie of the Year Award, edging Montreal Expos starter Bill Gullickson and outfielder Lonnie Smith of the Philadelphia Phillies. Howe posted a 7-9 record with a 2.65 ERA and 17 saves.