THIS DAY IN BEISBOL February 19: Manny Machado signs 10-year, $300M deal with Padres
After a season split between the Orioles and Dodgers, Manny Machado shattered the free agent market on this day in beísbol, February 19, 2019 by signing a $10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres. The Dominican native was only 26 years old but already a seven-year veteran when he joined San Diego, which gladly inked the third baseman to the largest contract in MLB history since Alex Rodriguez’s $275 million deal with the Yankees a decade earlier. Machado immediately became the best hitter in the lineup for a team that hadn’t been to the postseason in 12 years and had
HALL OF FAME: Vladimir Guerrero, 2018
VLADIMIR GUERRERO Outfielder Born: February 9, 1975 in Nizao, Dominican Republic Hall of Fame induction: 2018 Primary team: L.A./California Angels Hall of Fame plaque: “Dazzling five-tool talent from the Dominican Republic renowned for distinctive approach in batter’s box as well as aggressive style in the field and on the basepaths. Covered the plate with an attacking swing that produced a .318 career average and 449 home runs, reached 100-RBI mark 10 times and topped 30 homers eight times. Drove in 126 runs to earn 2004 A.L. most valuable player honors in first season with Angels after eight years as Expos
THIS DAY IN BEÍSBOL February 16: A-Rod traded to the Yankees
The New York Yankees added to their all-star, big-money lineup when they traded for all-world superstar Alex Rodriguez on this day in beísbol, February 16, 2004. “A-Rod” was already a controversial lightning rod as the player everyone loved to hate when the Bombers shipped a good young hitter, Alfonso Soriano, to the Texas Rangers in 2004 in exchange for Rodriguez, who was coming off his first MVP season in 2003. Only 28 but already a ten-year vet, Rodriguez — a two-time Gold Glover and five-time Silver Slugger at shortstop with the Seattle Mariners and the Rangers — shifted over to
THIS DAY IN BEÍSBOL February 14: Johan Santana signs largest Twins contract ever
The Minnesota Twins opened its vault for pitcher Johan Santana on this day in beísbol, February 14, 2005, as the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner received a sweet Valentine Day's gift: a four-year, $40 million deal. The contract was the largest in the history of the team and essentially bought out the rest of the 26-year-old southpaw’s arbitration-eligible years and first year of free agency. The move paid off immensely for the Twins as the Venezuela native went 50-26 with a 2.99 ERA over the next three seasons, including a second Cy Young in 2006 for his 19-6, 2.77
NEWS: Nick Castellanos released by Phillies
The Phillies have released veteran slugger Nick Castellanos, ending a turbulent stay in Philadelphia marked by both solid production and controversy. The decision follows reports of growing tension between Castellanos and manager Rob Thomson that boiled over during a June 2025 game in Miami. The outfielder confronted Thomson in the dugout over his managing style and was carrying a beer during the heated exchange — an incident that club officials viewed as crossing a line and underscored a deteriorating relationship between player and manager. Castellanos addressed the incident on social media after his release on February 12. "After being taken
NEWS: Pirates sign Marcell Ozuna to boost offense
The Pittsburgh Pirates made another major statement this off-season by signing veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna, adding one of baseball’s most consistent power bats to the heart of their lineup. The Dominican Republic native brings proven run production and postseason experience to a Pirates club looking to take a significant step forward in the National League. The 35-year-old Ozuna, who agreed to a one-year deal for $12 million, is coming off a down season for the 2025 Atlanta Braves in which he batted .232 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 145 games. As the everyday DH for the Braves
NEWS: Mexico’s Charros de Jalisco are Caribbean Series champs after wild walk-off win
The 2026 Caribbean Series ended in thrilling fashion on February 7 with a historic championship game won by one of the two Mexican teams in the field, as the Charros de Jalisco claimed the title in an unforgettable, 12-11 extra-innings battle against the Tomateros de Culiacán. The 68th edition of baseball’s premier winter-league club tournament was held at Estadio Panamericano de Béisbol in Zapopan, Mexico, after being relocated from Venezuela amid political tensions and diplomatic uncertainty in that country — a situation that ultimately led Venezuela’s winter league champion to withdraw entirely from the event. With Venezuela’s absence opening a
NEWS: Slugger Eugenio Suarez signs 1-year, $15M deal with Reds
Veteran slugger Eugenio Suarez has returned to the Cincinnati Reds, signing a one-year, $15 million contract with a $16 million mutual option for 2027. Suarez, 34, a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s lineup as a power-hitting third baseman during his first stint with the organization from 2015-21, is expected to be a DH and play some third and first. The deal is pending a physical. The Venezuela native tied his career high with 49 homers in 2025, when he began the year with Arizona before a trading deadline move to the Seattle Mariners. He launched 36 home runs in just 106 games
