Major League Baseball Trades And Free Agent Signings
Major League Baseball (MLB) is an American professional baseball organization and the oldest of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. The MLB season runs from late March to early October, with teams playing 162 games each. During the off-season, teams have the opportunity to make changes to their roster via trades and free agent signings. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most significant trades and free agent signings that have taken place in recent years.
Trades
A trade in baseball is when one team gives up one or more players to another team in exchange for other players, draft picks, or cash. Trades can be made for a variety of reasons, such as to strengthen a team's roster, shed salary, or acquire prospects for the future. Here are some of the most notable trades in recent MLB history:
Los Angeles Dodgers Acquire Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox (February 2020)
In February 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo, infielder Jeter Downs, and catcher Connor Wong. The move was seen as a major win for the Dodgers, who were already considered one of the best teams in baseball. Betts, a former American League Most Valuable Player, went on to have a standout season for the Dodgers, helping lead the team to the World Series.
Houston Astros Acquire Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers (August 2017)
In August 2017, the Houston Astros made a bold move, acquiring ace pitcher Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for three prospects. Verlander, a former Cy Young Award winner, was seen as a missing piece for the Astros, who were looking to make a playoff push. The move paid off, as Verlander went on to win the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award and helped lead the Astros to their first ever World Series championship later that season.
Free Agent Signings
A free agent signing in baseball is when a player who is not under contract with any team signs with a new team. Players become free agents after a certain number of years of service in the league, or if they are released by their previous team. Free agent signings can be expensive, as teams often compete with each other to sign the best players available. Here are some of the most significant free agent signings in recent MLB history:
Bryce Harper Signs with the Philadelphia Phillies (February 2019)
In February 2019, outfielder Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the largest contract in MLB history at the time. Harper, a former National League Most Valuable Player, had spent his entire career up to that point with the Washington Nationals. The signing was seen as a major coup for the Phillies, who were looking to build a contender.
Gerrit Cole Signs with the New York Yankees (December 2019)
In December 2019, pitcher Gerrit Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees, setting a new record for the highest average annual value for a pitcher. Cole, a former first-round draft pick, had spent the previous two seasons with the Houston Astros, where he had established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball. The signing was seen as a major addition to the Yankees' already-strong starting rotation.
Conclusion
Trades and free agent signings are an important part of building a successful baseball team. While not every move pays off, the ones that do can help a team win championships and build a lasting legacy. As we look forward to the upcoming MLB season, it will be interesting to see which teams make the biggest moves and how those moves play out on the field.