The White Sox sign free agent OF-1B Adam Dunn from Washington to a four-year deal.

The Mariners trade IF Jose Lopez to the Rockies for minor league P Chaz Roe.

The Braves and left-hander Billy Wagner come to terms on a $7 million, one-year deal for the southpaw to become the club’s closer, replacing Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. The six-time All-Star, who missed most of last season due to elbow surgery, was traded by the Mets to the Red Sox in late August after the reliever showed he still has a live fastball in his initial appearance off the disabled list in New York.

Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon says the new ballpark’s name will remain Citi Field regardless of the suggestion of two New York City council members who think the name should be Citi/Taxpayer Field due to the government’s bailout of the struggling financial institution. Citigroup is paying the franchise $400 million over 20 years for naming rights to the stadium.

The Atlanta Braves agree to terms with third baseman Chipper Jones on a three-year contract.

The Los Angeles Angels sign reliever Hector Carrasco to a two-year contract and veteran outfielder Tim Salmon to a minor league contract. Salmon missed all of last season with an injury, but will come back to play 76 games before retiring at the end of the year.

In the biggest free agent signing this year, the Philadelphia Phillies sign Cleveland Indians first baseman Jim Thome to a six-year contract.

In support of a national strike, the Venezuelan professional league suspends its games. Many of the eight teams in the league belong to news media owners opposed to President Hugo Chavez. When the strike continues, the league will cancel its season on January 13, 2003.

1998 – Free agents pitcher Scott Sanders and third baseman Robin Ventura are signed. The Cubs agree to terms with Sanders and Ventura signs with the Mets to a four-year contract.