Alex Rodriguez signs the biggest deal in sports history

Alex Rodriguez signs the biggest deal in sports history

ByThis Day in Baseball

On December 12, 2000 Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million. The quarter billion dollars doubles the previous high of $126 million paid by the NBA’s Timberwolves to Kevin Garnett in a six-year agreement signed in October, 1997. He will nearly get traded to…

Outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign free-agent Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract

Outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign free-agent Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract

ByTom

Outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign free-agent Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract. The very lucrative deal pales in comparison to Alex Rodriguez’s $252 million ten-year agreement with the Rangers, which is also announced today.

2000 – The Braves sign 1B Rico Brogna to a contract, the Padres sign IF Alex Arias for the next two years, and, outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract.

ByTom

2000 – The Braves sign 1B Rico Brogna to a contract, the Padres sign IF Alex Arias for the next two years, and, outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract.

Red Sox P Tom Gordon has ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow, and will miss the 2000 season. According to the Red Sox, there is only a 15% to 20% chance that he will ever pitch again, but he will beat those odds and pitch until 2009, when he is done at age 41.

ByTom

Red Sox P Tom Gordon has ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow, and will miss the 2000 season. According to the Red Sox, there is only a 15% to 20% chance that he will ever pitch again, but he will beat those odds and pitch until 2009, when he is done at age 41.

In what is believed to be baseball’s first 4-team swap since 1985, the Rockies obtain 3B Jeff Cirillo, P Rolando Arrojo and Scott Karl, and IF Aaron Ledesma, the Devil Rays obtain 3B Vinny Castilla, the Brewers obtain P Jamey Wright and Jimmy Haynes and C Henry Blanco, and the Athletics obtain P Justin Miller.

ByTom

In what is believed to be baseball’s first 4-team swap since 1985, the Rockies obtain 3B Jeff Cirillo, P Rolando Arrojo and Scott Karl, and IF Aaron Ledesma, the Devil Rays obtain 3B Vinny Castilla, the Brewers obtain P Jamey Wright and Jimmy Haynes and C Henry Blanco, and the Athletics obtain P Justin Miller.

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1998 – Efforts to bring Texas legend Roger Clemens to the Astros collapse in spectacular fashion when General Manager Gerry Hunsicker blasts additional contract demands made by Clemens’ Houston-based agents during a press conference at the winter meetings. It was a rare stipulation in Clemens’ contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that allowed him to demand a trade. The Astros are willing to part with outfielder Derek Bell and pitcher Scott Elarton among others to acquire Clemens until they are informed the pitcher is also demanding a $43 million dollar contract extension rather than the $16 million dollars left on his two-year deal. Talks quickly reduce to name-calling. Owner Drayton McLane says he still hopes to make a deal but decides to stand with his negotiators. Ten days later, Clemens withdraws the trade demand but later invokes it when a deal is arranged with the New York Yankees. 

ByTom

1998 – Efforts to bring Texas legend Roger Clemens to the Astros collapse in spectacular fashion when General Manager Gerry Hunsicker blasts additional contract demands made by Clemens’ Houston-based agents during a press conference at the winter meetings. It was a rare stipulation in Clemens’ contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that allowed him to demand a trade. The Astros are willing to part with outfielder Derek Bell and pitcher Scott Elarton among others to acquire Clemens until they are informed the pitcher is also demanding a $43 million dollar contract extension rather than the $16 million dollars left on his two-year deal. Talks quickly reduce to name-calling. Owner Drayton McLane says he still hopes to make a deal but decides to stand with his negotiators. Ten days later, Clemens withdraws the trade demand but later invokes it when a deal is arranged with the New York Yankees.