Kansas City trades ace pitcher Zack Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner, and SS Yuniesky Betancourt to the Milwaukee Brewers in return for a package of young players, headed by SS Alcides Escobar. P Jake Odorizzi, OF Lorenzo Cain and P Jeremy Jeffress complete the Royals’ haul, as Milwaukee outbids the Yankees and the Rangers to obtain Greinke.

ByTom

Kansas City trades ace pitcher Zack Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner, and SS Yuniesky Betancourt to the Milwaukee Brewers in return for a package of young players, headed by SS Alcides Escobar. P Jake Odorizzi, OF Lorenzo Cain and P Jeremy Jeffress complete the Royals’ haul, as Milwaukee outbids the Yankees and the Rangers to obtain Greinke.

45-year-old Carlos Yánes beats the Pinar del Río Tobacco Growers for his 234th win in Cuba, tying Jorge Luis Valdés for second all-time behind only Pedro Luis Lazo.

ByTom

45-year-old Carlos Yánes beats the Pinar del Río Tobacco Growers for his 234th win in Cuba, tying Jorge Luis Valdés for second all-time behind only Pedro Luis Lazo.

2009 – 3B Scott Rolen re-signs with the Cincinnati Reds for two years. He had been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trading deadline last season.

ByTom

2009 – 3B Scott Rolen re-signs with the Cincinnati Reds for two years. He had been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trading deadline last season.

Agreeing to stay in Anaheim, Juan Rivera (.246, 12, 45) agrees to a $12.7 million, three-year deal to roam the outfield for the Angels. The 30 year-old Venezuelan, who was the team’s best pinch hitter, going 5-for-14, including two game-winning hits, could also be used as the club’s designated hitter.

ByTom

Agreeing to stay in Anaheim, Juan Rivera (.246, 12, 45) agrees to a $12.7 million, three-year deal to roam the outfield for the Angels. The 30 year-old Venezuelan, who was the team’s best pinch hitter, going 5-for-14, including two game-winning hits, could also be used as the club’s designated hitter.

The Yankees purchase left-handed pitcher Kei Igawa from the Hanshin Tigers for a posting fee of $26 million, and will sign the Eiji Sawamura Award winner to a five-year deal worth another $20 million. The deal, prompted by Boston’s signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka, will prove to be disastrous for the Bronx Bombers when the 27 year-old southpaw compiles a 2-4 record in 14 starts along with an ERA of 6.66 over two seasons.

ByTom

The Yankees purchase left-handed pitcher Kei Igawa from the Hanshin Tigers for a posting fee of $26 million, and will sign the Eiji Sawamura Award winner to a five-year deal worth another $20 million. The deal, prompted by Boston’s signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka, will prove to be disastrous for the Bronx Bombers when the 27 year-old southpaw compiles a 2-4 record in 14 starts along with an ERA of 6.66 over two seasons.

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Owner Drayton McLane presents to star pitcher Roy Oswalt a $200,000 Caterpillar bulldozer to fulfill a promise he made before Game 6 of the N.L.C.S. Oswalt’s strong performance catapulted the Astros into their first World Series as he pitched two of the four victories over St. Louis. 

ByTom

2005 – Owner Drayton McLane presents to star pitcher Roy Oswalt a $200,000 Caterpillar bulldozer to fulfill a promise he made before Game 6 of the N.L.C.S. Oswalt’s strong performance catapulted the Astros into their first World Series as he pitched two of the four victories over St. Louis. 

Kevin Millwood agrees to the Phillies’ surprise offer of salary arbitration. As the ace of the staff, the All-Star hurler will anchor an outstanding rotation which includes Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla, Eric Milton and Brett Myers.

ByTom

Kevin Millwood agrees to the Phillies’ surprise offer of salary arbitration. As the ace of the staff, the All-Star hurler will anchor an outstanding rotation which includes Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla, Eric Milton and Brett Myers.

Gary Deporter, the managing partner of the late broadcaster Harry Caray’s area restaurants, submits the winning bid of $106,600 to obtain the foul ball that Steve Bartman deflected, costing the Cubs a costly out during Game 6 of the NLCS. The plan is to have the ball destroyed as an act of exorcism during a worldwide toast to Harry on his birthday, February 26th.

ByTom

Gary Deporter, the managing partner of the late broadcaster Harry Caray’s area restaurants, submits the winning bid of $106,600 to obtain the foul ball that Steve Bartman deflected, costing the Cubs a costly out during Game 6 of the NLCS. The plan is to have the ball destroyed as an act of exorcism during a worldwide toast to Harry on his birthday, February 26th.

Agreeing to a $6 million, two-year contract with the Angels, Jose Guillen (.311, 31, 86) will become the team’s right fielder next season. The deal will give Tim Salmon the opportunity to become Anaheim’s designated hitter full-time.

ByTom

Agreeing to a $6 million, two-year contract with the Angels, Jose Guillen (.311, 31, 86) will become the team’s right fielder next season. The deal will give Tim Salmon the opportunity to become Anaheim’s designated hitter full-time.

2002 – One of Japan’s most heralded players, 28-year-old outfield slugger Hideki Matsui (.334, 50, 107), reaches a preliminary agreement with the Yankees on a $21 million, three-year contract. “Godzilla”, the three-time Most Valuable Player of Japan’s Central League, rejected the Yomiuri Giants’ $33 million, four-year offer opting to play for the Bronx Bombers.

ByTom

2002 – One of Japan’s most heralded players, 28-year-old outfield slugger Hideki Matsui (.334, 50, 107), reaches a preliminary agreement with the Yankees on a $21 million, three-year contract. “Godzilla”, the three-time Most Valuable Player of Japan’s Central League, rejected the Yomiuri Giants’ $33 million, four-year offer opting to play for the Bronx Bombers.