Umpire Doug Harvey, a veteran of 13 seasons in the National League and over 4,600 major league games, dies at age 87. Considered by many as the best umpire ever and nicknamed “God” for his infallibility, he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Umpire Doug Harvey, a veteran of 13 seasons in the National League and over 4,600 major league games, dies at age 87. Considered by many as the best umpire ever and nicknamed “God” for his infallibility, he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2010.

| |

Astros trade Joe Musgrove, Colin Moran, Michael Feliz and a minor leaguer to Pittsburgh for pitcher Gerrit Cole. He is billed as the “third ace” to team with Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel in hopes of defending their Worlds Championship. 

Astros trade Joe Musgrove, Colin Moran, Michael Feliz and a minor leaguer to Pittsburgh for pitcher Gerrit Cole. He is billed as the “third ace” to team with Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel in hopes of defending their Worlds Championship. 

The Astros complete a deal with the Pirates that had been rumored to be in the works for weeks, acquiring ace P Gerrit Cole in return for four players: Michael Feliz, Jason Martin, Colin Moran and Joe Musgrove. The Yankees were also rumored to be in the hunt for Cole, but it’s the defending World Series champions who land the prize catch.

The Astros complete a deal with the Pirates that had been rumored to be in the works for weeks, acquiring ace P Gerrit Cole in return for four players: Michael Feliz, Jason Martin, Colin Moran and Joe Musgrove. The Yankees were also rumored to be in the hunt for Cole, but it’s the defending World Series champions who land the prize catch.

Alex Rodriguez files a lawsuit in federal court against Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association seeking to overturn the 162-game suspension handed two days earlier by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. He will drop the suit shortly and accept to serve his suspension.

Alex Rodriguez files a lawsuit in federal court against Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association seeking to overturn the 162-game suspension handed two days earlier by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. He will drop the suit shortly and accept to serve his suspension.

The Yankees trade two of their top young players, C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi, to Seattle in return for Ps Michael Pineda and Vicente Campos, although the trade will only be finalized on January 23rd, after all four players pass physical exams. They also sign free agent P Hiroki Kuroda for one year for $10 million.

The Yankees trade two of their top young players, C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi, to Seattle in return for Ps Michael Pineda and Vicente Campos, although the trade will only be finalized on January 23rd, after all four players pass physical exams. They also sign free agent P Hiroki Kuroda for one year for $10 million.

2011 – The Yankees ink their first free agent of the off-season, signing reliever Rafael Soriano to a three-year contract worth $35 million. While Soriano will be the set-up man for Mariano Rivera this year, he excelled as the Rays’ closer last season, and is expected to be in line to take over for the great Rivera when he eventually retires.

2011 – The Yankees ink their first free agent of the off-season, signing reliever Rafael Soriano to a three-year contract worth $35 million. While Soriano will be the set-up man for Mariano Rivera this year, he excelled as the Rays’ closer last season, and is expected to be in line to take over for the great Rivera when he eventually retires.

2010 – Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, making him uncertain for Opening Day. He had been operated to remove bone chips from his right shoulder earlier this off-season.

2010 – Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, making him uncertain for Opening Day. He had been operated to remove bone chips from his right shoulder earlier this off-season.

Trevor Hoffman, the all-time major league leader in games pitched for one team (the San Diego Padres) and the all-time save leader, finalizes a $6 million, one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He replaces Salomon Torres, who retired, as the team’s closer.

Trevor Hoffman, the all-time major league leader in games pitched for one team (the San Diego Padres) and the all-time save leader, finalizes a $6 million, one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He replaces Salomon Torres, who retired, as the team’s closer.

Derek Lowe, 54-48 in 4 seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers, gets a four-year, $60 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta makes another big signing of a free agent pitcher, inking Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year deal. Kawakami was the Sawamura Award winner and Central League MVP in 2004 and pitched for Japan in the 2008 Olympics, losing the Bronze Medal game to Team USA.

Derek Lowe, 54-48 in 4 seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers, gets a four-year, $60 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta makes another big signing of a free agent pitcher, inking Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year deal. Kawakami was the Sawamura Award winner and Central League MVP in 2004 and pitched for Japan in the 2008 Olympics, losing the Bronze Medal game to Team USA.