The Indians send C Einar Diaz and P Ryan Drese to the Rangers in exchange for P Aaron Myette and 1B Travis Hafner. Indians GM Mark Shapiro denies that the trade is “Jim Thome-motivated.” In his last four minor league seasons‚ Hafner has averaged .316‚ 23 homers‚ and 93 RBIs. He will put up similar numbers in his first few years with the Indians.

ByTom

The Indians send C Einar Diaz and P Ryan Drese to the Rangers in exchange for P Aaron Myette and 1B Travis Hafner. Indians GM Mark Shapiro denies that the trade is “Jim Thome-motivated.” In his last four minor league seasons‚ Hafner has averaged .316‚ 23 homers‚ and 93 RBIs. He will put up similar numbers in his first few years with the Indians.

In a cynical move‚ the Yankees offer the same two-year $4.6 million contract to three lefty relievers – Mike Stanton ‚ Mark Guthrie and Chris Hammond – and give each 15 minutes to decide. Hammond‚ 37‚ signs for $4.8 million over two years. Hammond‚ out of baseball for two years‚ had a remarkable season in 2002‚ posting a 0.95 ERA in 63 games and did not allow an earned run after June 28th. He is the third pitcher since 1900 to post a sub-one ERA while pitching 70+ innings. The veteran Stanton doesn’t bother to respond to the step-child treatment and‚ preferring to remain in the New York area‚ will sign a three-year contract with the Mets in a week.

ByTom

In a cynical move‚ the Yankees offer the same two-year $4.6 million contract to three lefty relievers – Mike Stanton ‚ Mark Guthrie and Chris Hammond – and give each 15 minutes to decide. Hammond‚ 37‚ signs for $4.8 million over two years. Hammond‚ out of baseball for two years‚ had a remarkable season in 2002‚ posting a 0.95 ERA in 63 games and did not allow an earned run after June 28th. He is the third pitcher since 1900 to post a sub-one ERA while pitching 70+ innings. The veteran Stanton doesn’t bother to respond to the step-child treatment and‚ preferring to remain in the New York area‚ will sign a three-year contract with the Mets in a week.

2001 – Major League Baseball reportedly gives John Henry permission to sell the Florida Marlins to Montreal Expos owner Jeffrey Loria. The Expos are expected to be either contracted or taken over by Major League Baseball‚ which would buy the team from Loria in case contraction is aborted‚ leaving him an opportunity to own the Marlins.

ByTom

2001 – Major League Baseball reportedly gives John Henry permission to sell the Florida Marlins to Montreal Expos owner Jeffrey Loria. The Expos are expected to be either contracted or taken over by Major League Baseball‚ which would buy the team from Loria in case contraction is aborted‚ leaving him an opportunity to own the Marlins.

The Devil Rays start selling individual tickets to the general public for the team’s inaugural season. The Opening Day game will sell out in 17 minutes.

ByTom

The Devil Rays start selling individual tickets to the general public for the team’s inaugural season. The Opening Day game will sell out in 17 minutes.

The Seattle Mariners acquire righty Scott Sanders from the Padres for lefty Sterling Hitchcock.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1996 – The Seattle Mariners acquire righty Scott Sanders‚ (9-5‚ 3.38 ERA) from the Padres for lefty Sterling Hitchcock. Hitchcock was the ace of the Mariner staff after Randy Johnson went down with back surgery. He finished with a 13-9 record‚ but had a 5.35 ERA.

At Leland’s auction house in New York City‚ Shoeless Joe Jackson’s signature is sold for $23‚100‚ the most money ever paid for a 19th or 20th century signature. Jackson‚ who could not read or write‚ copied the signature from one written out by his wife. The signature‚ which was resold within hours‚ was cut from an unknown document.

ByTom

At Leland’s auction house in New York City‚ Shoeless Joe Jackson’s signature is sold for $23‚100‚ the most money ever paid for a 19th or 20th century signature. Jackson‚ who could not read or write‚ copied the signature from one written out by his wife. The signature‚ which was resold within hours‚ was cut from an unknown document.