IN THE NEWS: Major league baseball and ESPN agreed to settle their lawsuit by signing a new 6-year, $800 million deal. The suit involved ESPN's decision to give NFL football games priority over late-season Sunday night baseball games on its main channel.
IN THE NEWS: The Cubs obtain P Ismael Valdes (9–14) and 2B Eric Young from the Dodgers for pitchers Terry Adams and Chad Ricketts, and a player to be named. Despite missing 40 games, Young swiped 51 bases in 1999.
The Royals obtain IF Jeff Reboulet from the Orioles for a player to be named. Tomorrow they trade a player to be named later to the Giants for P Jerry Spradlin.
Red Sox P Tom Gordon has ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow, and will miss the 2000 season. According to the Red Sox, there is only a 15% to 20% chance that he will ever pitch again.
IN THE NEWS: The Mariners sign free agent P Arthur Rhodes to a 4-year contract.
The Dodgers are fined $50,000 and banned from scouting any Dominican Republic players for one year as a penalty for having signed 3B Adrian Beltre as a 15-year-old. Beltre is not given his free agency, according to Commissioner Bud Selig, because he participated in the scheme, and because the claim for free agency was made too late. The players' association is expected to file a grievance in the matter.
Kip Wells, drafted in the first round by the Chicago White Sox, finally signs for 1.495 million plus an invite to the White Sox spring camp.
The Expos obtain inconsistent P Hideki Irabu from the Yankees in exchange for P Jake Westbrook and two players to be named. P Christian Parker will be one of those named.
The Red Sox sign free agent P Jeff Fassero to a contract.
The Orioles sign free agent P Buddy Groom to a 2-year contract.
In an interview in Sports Illustrated magazine, Atlanta Braves P John Rocker offends virtually every race and ethnic group in a hateful outburst. Community leaders, media, management, coaches and teammates alike call for action to be taken against the lefty who had 38 saves for Atlanta this past season.
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