IN THE NEWS: The Rangers engineer a series of deals with the Braves, Mets, and Pirates, unloading a total of six players and getting three in return. Among those involved are 1B Willie Montanez (to New York), Bert Blyleven (Pittsburgh), and Al Oliver (Texas).
The A's and Reds announce a deal that will send P Vida Blue to Cincinnati for OF Dave Revering and $1.75 million cash. Commissioner Kuhn will invalidate the deal on January 30, contending that too much money is involved and there would be a competitive imbalance created. He later sets a limit of $400,000 as the maximum that can be exchanged between teams.
IN THE NEWS: The Red Sox trade P Fergie Jenkins to the Rangers for P John Poloni and cash. Jenkins, who supposedly had to be awakened in the bullpen on September 17 and never pitched after that, will partially regain his form in Texas, averaging 15 wins a year for the next three seasons.