2014 – The Red Sox sign 3B Pablo Sandoval, a three-time World Champion with the San Francisco Giants, to a five-year free agent contract. They also confirm the signing of another free agent, SS Hanley Ramirez, pending a physical exam.
The Athletics acquire P Fernando Abad from Washington in return for minor league OF John Wooten, while the Pirates send OF Alex Dickerson to San Diego and receive OF Jaff Decker and P Miles Mikolas in a trade of prospects,
Chase Utley is expected to need four to six months to recover from arthroscopic hip surgery performed today at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery. Despite battling the injury for much of the year, the All-Star Phillies second baseman, played a pivotal role in the team’s World Championship this season.
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox complete their deal that sends slugger Jim Thome and cash to Chicago for center fielder Aaron Rowand. Philadelphia also gets two minor leaguers.
The cost-cutting Florida Marlins finalize their big trade with the New York Mets, sending slugger Carlos Delgado to New York for first baseman Mike Jacobs and prospects pitcher Yusmeiro Petit and infielder Grant Psomas. The Mets will also receive $7 million from the Marlins to help cover the $48 million Delgado is owed over the next three seasons.
After spending $67 million to acquire its former president’s shares of the Mariners, the Nintendo’s U.S. subsidiary now owns more than 50 percent of the Northwest franchise. Due to the presence of Japanese superstar Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle is one of the favorite U.S. major league teams in the Land of the Rising Sun.
2004 – After spending $67 million to acquire its former president’s shares of the Seattle Mariners, Nintendo’s U.S. subsidiary now owns more than 50 percent of the franchise. Due to the presence of superstar Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle is one of the favorite major league teams in Japan.
2003 – The Chicago Cubs trade first baseman Hee Seop Choi (who hit .210 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI) and Mike Nannini to the World Champion Florida Marlins in exchange for Gold Glove first baseman Derrek Lee (.271, 31, 92).
Detroit sends 1B Randall Simon to Pittsburgh in exchange for Adrian Burnside and a player to be named later.
The Boston Red Sox hire 28-year-old Theo Epstein as their new general manager. Epstein, a life-time Red Sox fan who grew up about a mile away from Fenway Park, becomes the youngest GM in major league history.