IN THE NEWS: Bill Veeck and assistant Roland Hemonds set up shop in the hotel lobby at the winter meetings with a sign saying "open for business" and start dealing, making seven trades in two days. First to go is pitcher Jim Kaat and SS Mike Buskey to the Phillies. The Sox receive pitchers Dick Ruthven and Roy Thomas along with OF/INF Alan Bannister.
IN THE NEWS: In two separate deals, the Yankees acquire pitchers Dock Ellis and Ken Brett, and 2B Willie Randolph from the Pirates for P Doc Medich; OF Mickey Rivers and P Ed Figueroa from the Angels for OF Bobby Bonds. Randolph will hold down 2B for a decade while Rivers will provide fine CF. Medich will go 8–11 before being traded.
IN THE NEWS: The Mets trade OF Rusty Staub and P Bill Laxton to the Tigers for P Mickey Lolich and OF Billy Baldwin. Lolich leaves Detroit after 13 years and 207 wins and remains the Tiger career leader in games started, strikeouts, and shutouts.
IN THE NEWS: Bill Veeck fires Chuck Tanner and hires old friend Paul Richards, 67, to manage the White Sox. Tanner then accepts a 3-year contract to manage Oakland.
IN THE NEWS: Arbitrator Peter Seitz announces a landmark decision in favor of the Players' Association, making pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally free agents. Seitz is immediately fired by John Gaherin, chairman of the owners' Player Relations Committee. McNally, who retired June 8th, will not return to the ML, finishing with a 184-119 career record.
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