Transactions in 1981 Previous Year / Next Year
Note about 1876 and 1887 stats
1981 AL
| NL
League Yearly Summary -
Expanded Standings: AL
| NL
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Expanded Leaderboards: AL
| ML
| NL
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Players: Batting -
Pitching -
Fielding -
Other: New Debuts -
Final Year -
Born this year -
Died this year -
Transactions -
Amateur Draft -
League Splits - Bat: ML-NL-AL -
Pitch: ML-NL-AL
November 3, 1980
John D'Acquisto of the Montreal Expos granted free agency.
The New York Yankees traded Fred Stanley to the Oakland Athletics for Mike Morgan.
November 4, 1980
The Detroit Tigers signed Dave Gumpert as an amateur free agent.
Del Unser of the Philadelphia Phillies granted free agency.
Dave Roberts of the Seattle Mariners granted free agency.
Dave Roberts of the Texas Rangers granted free agency.
The New York Yankees released Marshall Brant.
November 5, 1980
Tug McGraw of the Philadelphia Phillies granted free agency.
Steve Braun of the Toronto Blue Jays granted free agency.
November 11, 1980
The Kansas City Royals signed Dave Chalk as a free agent.
November 13, 1980
Jose Cardenal of the Kansas City Royals granted free agency.
Johnny Oates of the New York Yankees granted free agency.
November 15, 1980
The Atlanta Braves signed Claudell Washington as a free agent.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Gibson Alba as a free agent.
November 16, 1980
The New York Mets signed Kevin Mitchell as an amateur free agent.
November 18, 1980
The New York Yankees traded Brad Gulden and $150,000 to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later and Larry Milbourne. The Seattle Mariners sent Brad Gulden (May 18, 1981) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
November 19, 1980
The Philadelphia Phillies traded a player to be named later to the Texas Rangers for Sparky Lyle. The Philadelphia Phillies sent Kevin Saucier (November 19, 1980) to the Texas Rangers to complete the trade.
November 20, 1980
The Chicago White Sox signed Jim Essian as a free agent.
November 22, 1980
Bill Travers of the Milwaukee Brewers granted free agency.
November 23, 1980
Dave Rader of the Boston Red Sox granted free agency.
November 24, 1980
Darrell Porter of the Kansas City Royals granted free agency.
November 25, 1980
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Rick Schu as an amateur free agent.
November 26, 1980
The Chicago White Sox signed Ron LeFlore as a free agent.
November 28, 1980
Marc Hill of the Seattle Mariners granted free agency.
December 2, 1980
The California Angels signed Geoff Zahn as a free agent.
The Chicago White Sox released Kevin Bell.
December 4, 1980
The Houston Astros signed Don Sutton as a free agent.
December 6, 1980
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Tug McGraw as a free agent.
The Seattle Mariners purchased Mario Guerrero from the Oakland Athletics.
December 7, 1980
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Darrell Porter as a free agent.
December 8, 1980
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Dan Whitmer from the California Angels in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Larry Rothschild from the Cincinnati Reds in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Gary Gray from the Cleveland Indians in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Tom Candiotti from the Kansas City Royals in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The San Diego Padres drafted Alan Wiggins from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Minnesota Twins drafted Jack O'Connor from the Montreal Expos in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The San Diego Padres drafted Mario Ramirez from the New York Mets in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Dave Wehrmeister from the New York Yankees in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Minnesota Twins drafted Don Cooper from the New York Yankees in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Brian Doyle from the New York Yankees in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Tom Filer from the New York Yankees in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Jim Wright from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Orlando Sanchez from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted George Bell from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Minnesota Twins drafted John Hobbs from the Seattle Mariners in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Chicago Cubs drafted Jody Davis from the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Roy Thomas from the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The San Francisco Giants drafted George Bjorkman from the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
The Cleveland Indians signed Dan Spillner as a free agent.
The Houston Astros released Joe Morgan.
The San Diego Padres released Paul Dade.
The Houston Astros traded Enos Cabell to the San Francisco Giants for Bob Knepper and Chris Bourjos.
The Minnesota Twins traded Dave Edwards to the San Diego Padres for Chuck Baker.
The San Diego Padres traded a player to be named later, Rollie Fingers, Bob Shirley, and Gene Tenace to the St. Louis Cardinals for Terry Kennedy, Steve Swisher, Mike Phillips, John Littlefield, John Urrea, Kim Seaman, and Al Olmsted. The San Diego Padres sent Bob Geren (December 10, 1980) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.
December 9, 1980
The New York Mets drafted Billy Smith from the Houston Astros in the 1980 minor league draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted De Wayne Buice from the San Francisco Giants in the 1980 minor league draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Bob Kearney from the San Francisco Giants in the 1980 minor league draft.
The Kansas City Royals signed Lee May as a free agent.
The Chicago Cubs traded Bruce Sutter to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later, Leon Durham, and Ken Reitz. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Ty Waller (December 22, 1980) to the Chicago Cubs to complete the trade.
The Cleveland Indians traded Gary Alexander, Victor Cruz, Rafael Vasquez, and Bob Owchinko to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bert Blyleven and Manny Sanguillen.
December 10, 1980
The Houston Astros signed Dave Roberts as a free agent.
The Boston Red Sox traded Rick Burleson and Butch Hobson to the California Angels for Carney Lansford, Rick Miller, and Mark Clear.
The Detroit Tigers traded Mark Wagner to the Texas Rangers for Kevin Saucier.
December 11, 1980
The California Angels signed John D'Acquisto as a free agent.
The Chicago Cubs traded Cliff Johnson and Keith Drumright to the Oakland Athletics for Michael King (minors).
December 12, 1980
The Montreal Expos signed Willie Montanez as a free agent.
Mike Edwards of the Oakland Athletics granted free agency.
The Oakland Athletics released Dave Hamilton.
The Atlanta Braves traded Doyle Alexander to the San Francisco Giants for John Montefusco and Craig Landis (minors).
The Chicago Cubs traded Mike Vail to the Cincinnati Reds for Hector Cruz.
The Chicago Cubs traded a player to be named later, Jerry Martin, and Jesus Figueroa to the San Francisco Giants for Joe Strain and Philip Nastu. The Chicago Cubs sent Mike Turgeon (minors) (August 11, 1981) to the San Francisco Giants to complete the trade.
The Chicago White Sox traded Rich Wortham to the Montreal Expos for Tony Bernazard.
The Detroit Tigers traded Dave Stegman to the San Diego Padres for Dennis Kinney.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded Sixto Lezcano, David Green, Lary Sorensen, and Dave LaPoint to the St. Louis Cardinals for Pete Vuckovich, Rollie Fingers, and Ted Simmons.
The Minnesota Twins traded Willie Norwood to the Seattle Mariners for Byron McLaughlin.
The New York Mets traded Roy Lee Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays for Bob Bailor.
The Seattle Mariners traded Rick Honeycutt, Mario Mendoza, Larry Cox, Leon Roberts, and Willie Horton to the Texas Rangers for Richie Zisk, Rick Auerbach, Ken Clay, Jerry Don Gleaton, Brian Allard, and Steve Finch (minors).
December 13, 1980
Charlie Spikes of the Atlanta Braves granted free agency.
December 15, 1980
The New York Yankees signed Dave Winfield as a free agent.
The New York Mets purchased Rick Sweet from the San Diego Padres.
The Baltimore Orioles released Paul Hartzell.
The Texas Rangers released Jay Pettibone.
The Cincinnati Reds traded Don Werner and Greg Hughes (minors) to the Texas Rangers for Greg Mahlberg and Danny Walton.
The New York Mets traded John Pacella and Jose Moreno to the San Diego Padres for Randy Jones.
December 16, 1980
The New York Mets signed Rusty Staub as a free agent.
December 17, 1980
The Baltimore Orioles signed Jose Morales as a free agent.
The San Diego Padres signed Ozzie Guillen as an amateur free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays released Bob Davis.
December 18, 1980
The Texas Rangers signed Bob Jones as a free agent.
The Texas Rangers signed Bill Stein as a free agent.
December 19, 1980
The Montreal Expos signed Stan Bahnsen as a free agent.
The New York Mets signed Mike Cubbage as a free agent.
Fred Holdsworth of the Milwaukee Brewers granted free agency.
The Chicago White Sox released Junior Moore.
The New York Mets released Bill Almon.
The Minnesota Twins traded Mike Bacsik to the Seattle Mariners for Steve Stroughter.
December 20, 1980
The Milwaukee Brewers signed Roy Howell as a free agent.
December 22, 1980
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Del Unser as a free agent.
The Yomiura Giants (Japan Central) purchased Gary Thomasson from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The St. Louis Cardinals released Bobby Bonds.
December 23, 1980
The Baltimore Orioles signed Jim Dwyer as a free agent.
December 24, 1980
The San Francisco Giants signed Mike Sadek as a free agent.
December 29, 1980
The California Angels signed Juan Beniquez as a free agent.
The Cleveland Indians signed Pat Kelly as a free agent.
1981
The Texas Rangers released Jim Umbarger.
Luis Rosado sent from the New York Mets to the Poza Rica (Mexican) in an unknown transaction.
January 5, 1981
The New York Mets signed Dave Roberts as a free agent.
The California Angels signed Gus Polidor as an amateur free agent.
The New York Yankees released Jim Nettles.
January 6, 1981
The Kansas City Royals signed Derek Botelho as a free agent.
January 7, 1981
The Chicago Cubs signed Rawly Eastwick as a free agent.
January 8, 1981
The Cleveland Indians released Dave Hudgens.
January 10, 1981
The Oakland Athletics signed Dave Hamilton as a free agent.
January 12, 1981
The Atlanta Braves signed Gaylord Perry as a free agent.
The Cincinnati Reds signed Larry Biittner as a free agent.
January 13, 1981
The Boston Red Sox drafted Danny Sheaffer in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed January 14, 1981.
The California Angels drafted Ron Romanick in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Chicago Cubs drafted Billy Hatcher in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed May 22, 1981.
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Rob Murphy in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Detroit Tigers drafted Bob Melvin in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Houston Astros drafted Glenn Davis in the 1st round (5th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Kansas City Royals drafted Bill Pecota in the 10th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Tim Crews in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Mike Felder in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed January 15, 1981.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Ernest Riles in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The New York Mets drafted Randy Milligan in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Mets drafted Herm Winningham in the 1st round (9th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Oakland Athletics drafted Steve Kiefer in the 1st round (16th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Kevin Gross in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Texas Rangers drafted Greg Tabor in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Mike Sharperson in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Dave Johnson in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Russ Morman in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Benny Distefano in the 16th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Minnesota Twins drafted Ralph Bryant in the 13th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Montreal Expos drafted Jeff Treadway in the 18th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Doug Baker in the 9th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted John Kruk in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The San Diego Padres drafted Eric Bullock in the 1st round (5th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but was not signed.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Oddibe McDowell in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Texas Rangers drafted Dave Leiper in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
January 15, 1981
The San Diego Padres signed Kevin Bell as a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays purchased Ken Macha from the Montreal Expos.
The Philadelphia Phillies released Cliff Speck.
January 17, 1981
The Oakland Athletics signed Jim Nettles as a free agent.
January 19, 1981
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Larvell Blanks as a free agent.
January 20, 1981
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Rusty Torres as a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Dale Murray as a free agent.
January 21, 1981
The Cincinnati Reds traded Cesar Geronimo to the Kansas City Royals for German Barranca.
January 22, 1981
The Baltimore Orioles traded Joe Kerrigan and John Buffamoyer (minors) to the Cincinnati Reds for Mike Grace and John Hale.
January 23, 1981
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed John Milner as a free agent.
The Boston Red Sox traded Fred Lynn and Steve Renko to the California Angels for Frank Tanana, Jim Dorsey, and Joe Rudi.
January 26, 1981
The California Angels signed Jesse Jefferson as a free agent.
The California Angels signed Bill Travers as a free agent.
January 27, 1981
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Steve Busby as a free agent.
February 2, 1981
The California Angels signed Dave Rader as a free agent.
The California Angels released Dave Skaggs.
February 3, 1981
The New York Yankees signed Marshall Brant as a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Bruce Boisclair as a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Leroy Stanton as a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Oswaldo Peraza as an amateur free agent.
The Atlanta Braves released Bo McLaughlin.
February 4, 1981
The Chicago White Sox signed Bill Almon as a free agent.
February 5, 1981
The New York Mets released Elliott Maddox.
February 6, 1981
The California Angels traded Gil Kubski to the Toronto Blue Jays for Don Pisker (minors).
February 7, 1981
The Cincinnati Reds signed Bill Landrum as a free agent.
February 9, 1981
The San Francisco Giants signed Joe Morgan as a free agent.
February 10, 1981
The Baltimore Orioles signed Jim Umbarger as a free agent.
The Texas Rangers signed Jose Guzman as an amateur free agent.
The California Angels purchased Luis Sanchez from the Veracruz (Mexican).
The California Angels released John Montague.
The Houston Astros traded Jimmy Sexton to the Oakland Athletics for a player to be named later. The Oakland Athletics sent Rick Lysander (October 20, 1981) to the Houston Astros to complete the trade.
February 11, 1981
The Houston Astros traded Bruce Bochy to the New York Mets for players to be named later. The New York Mets sent Stan Hough (minors) (April 3, 1981) and Randy Rogers (minors) (April 3, 1981) to the Houston Astros to complete the trade.
February 12, 1981
The Chicago White Sox signed Marc Hill as a free agent.
Carlton Fisk of the Boston Red Sox granted free agency.
The Los Angeles Dodgers released Doug Rau.
February 16, 1981
The Chicago Cubs traded Greg Keatley to the Kansas City Royals for Dennis Webb (minors).
The New York Yankees traded Rafael Santana to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later. The St. Louis Cardinals sent George Frazier (June 7, 1981) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
February 17, 1981
The Chicago Cubs signed Jerry Morales as a free agent.
The New York Yankees signed Bill Castro as a free agent.
The Seattle Mariners signed Dave Skaggs as a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Dave Tomlin as a free agent.
February 18, 1981
The Montreal Expos signed Ray Burris as a free agent.
The Oakland Athletics signed Dave Hudgens as a free agent.
The Cleveland Indians released Manny Sanguillen.
February 21, 1981
The Milwaukee Brewers signed Paul Hartzell as a free agent.
February 23, 1981
The Minnesota Twins signed Jay Pettibone as a free agent.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Luis Tiant as a free agent.
February 26, 1981
The Chicago Cubs released George Riley.
February 27, 1981
The Montreal Expos released Dan Briggs.
February 28, 1981
The Kansas City Royals signed Don Hood as a free agent.
The Chicago Cubs traded Dave Kingman to the New York Mets for Steve Henderson and cash.
March 1, 1981
The Texas Rangers signed Ed Figueroa as a free agent.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded Dick Davis to the Philadelphia Phillies for Randy Lerch.
March 2, 1981
The Toronto Blue Jays signed John Montague as a free agent.
The Oakland Athletics released Orlando Gonzalez.
March 3, 1981
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Steve Braun as a free agent.
March 4, 1981
The Seibu Lions (Japan Pacific) purchased Terry Whitfield from the San Francisco Giants.
March 7, 1981
The Atlanta Braves traded Jeff Burroughs to the Seattle Mariners for Carlos Diaz.
March 8, 1981
The Chicago Cubs signed Mick Kelleher as a free agent.
March 13, 1981
The Baltimore Orioles signed Cliff Speck as a free agent.
March 15, 1981
Jack Brohamer of the Cleveland Indians granted free agency.
March 18, 1981
The Chicago White Sox signed Carlton Fisk as a free agent.
March 20, 1981
The Milwaukee Brewers released Bob Galasso.
March 21, 1981
The Montreal Expos signed Dan Briggs as a free agent.
March 22, 1981
The Cincinnati Reds signed Tony Walker as an amateur free agent.
March 23, 1981
The San Francisco Giants purchased Billy Smith from the Philadelphia Phillies.
March 24, 1981
The Cleveland Indians signed Glenn Borgmann as a free agent.
The Detroit Tigers purchased Bill Fahey from the San Diego Padres.
March 25, 1981
The Atlanta Braves traded Gary Matthews to the Philadelphia Phillies for Bob Walk.
March 26, 1981
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Stan Javier as an amateur free agent.
The Seattle Mariners released Ted Cox.
The Seattle Mariners released Rob Dressler.
The Seattle Mariners released Dave Heaverlo.
The Seattle Mariners released Willie Norwood.
The Cleveland Indians traded Wayne Cage to the Seattle Mariners for Rod Craig.
March 27, 1981
The Houston Astros released Julio Gonzalez.
The Minnesota Twins released Bombo Rivera.
The San Diego Padres released Eric Rasmussen.
The San Francisco Giants released Nate Snell.
The Oakland Athletics traded Bob Lacey and Roy Moretti (minors) to the San Diego Padres for Kevin Bell, Tony Phillips, and Eric Mustad (minors).
March 28, 1981
The Seattle Mariners released Mike Bacsik.
The Chicago Cubs traded Dennis Lamp to the Chicago White Sox for Ken Kravec.
March 29, 1981
The Detroit Tigers released Jim Lentine.
March 30, 1981
The Chicago White Sox purchased Greg Luzinski from the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Oakland Athletics released Alan Wirth.
The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Mickey Hatcher, Kelly Snider (minors), and Matt Reeves (minors) to the Minnesota Twins for Ken Landreaux.
March 31, 1981
The Minnesota Twins released Byron McLaughlin.
The Seattle Mariners released Dave Skaggs.
The San Francisco Giants released Gorman Heimueller.
The Kansas City Royals traded Marvell Wynne and John Skinner (minors) to the New York Mets for Juan Berenguer.
The New York Yankees traded Ruppert Jones, Joe Lefebvre, Tim Lollar, and Chris Welsh to the San Diego Padres for Jerry Mumphrey and John Pacella.
April 1, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Mets returned Billy Smith (earlier draft pick) to the Houston Astros.
The Atlanta Braves signed Tom Waddell as an amateur free agent.
The Detroit Tigers purchased Mick Kelleher from the Chicago Cubs.
The Reynosa (Mexican) purchased Houston Jimenez from the Minnesota Twins.
The California Angels released Jim Barr.
The California Angels released Dave LaRoche.
The Milwaukee Brewers released Paul Mitchell.
The Montreal Expos released John Tamargo.
The Seattle Mariners released Mario Guerrero.
The Texas Rangers released Willie Horton.
The Baltimore Orioles traded Kiko Garcia to the Houston Astros for Chris Bourjos and cash.
The California Angels traded Dickie Thon to the Houston Astros for Ken Forsch.
The California Angels traded Jason Thompson to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ed Ott and Mickey Mahler.
The Chicago White Sox traded Thad Bosley to the Milwaukee Brewers for John Poff.
The Chicago White Sox traded Mike Proly to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jay Loviglio.
The Cleveland Indians traded Juan Bonilla to the San Diego Padres for Bob Lacey.
April 2, 1981 (Standings)
The Hankyu Braves (Japan Pacific) purchased Wayne Cage from the Seattle Mariners.
The Detroit Tigers released Mike Warren.
The Kansas City Royals released Tom Romano.
The Kansas City Royals released Jerry Terrell.
The Montreal Expos released Fred Norman.
April 3, 1981 (Standings)
The Kansas City Royals returned Dave Wehrmeister (earlier draft pick) to the New York Yankees.
The Kansas City Royals signed Bombo Rivera as a free agent.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Julio Gonzalez as a free agent.
The Detroit Tigers released Chris Codiroli.
The Detroit Tigers released Chuck Hensley.
The New York Mets released Jamie Nelson.
The Cleveland Indians traded a player to be named later and cash to the Houston Astros for Mike Fischlin. The Cleveland Indians sent Jim Lentine (September 28, 1981) to the Houston Astros to complete the trade.
The Houston Astros traded Gary Rajsich to the New York Mets for John Csefalvay (minors).
April 4, 1981 (Standings)
The Milwaukee Brewers released Bill Lyons.
The San Diego Padres released Dave Cash.
April 5, 1981 (Standings)
The Pittsburgh Pirates purchased Jim Smith from the Baltimore Orioles.
The New York Mets purchased Dan Boitano from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Dave Dravecky to the San Diego Padres for Bobby D. Mitchell (minors).
April 6, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Mets sent Butch Benton to the Chicago Cubs as part of a conditional deal.
The New York Yankees signed Johnny Oates as a free agent.
The Seattle Mariners signed Len Randle as a free agent.
Ubaldo Heredia of the Los Angeles Dodgers granted free agency.
The Boston Red Sox released Skip Lockwood.
The New York Mets traded Ed Glynn to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later. The Cleveland Indians sent Dominick Bullinger (minors) (December 14, 1981) to the New York Mets to complete the trade.
The New York Mets traded Mark Bomback to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later and cash. The Toronto Blue Jays sent Charlie Puleo (April 14, 1981) to the New York Mets to complete the trade.
The New York Yankees traded Byron Ballard (minors) to the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later. The San Diego Padres sent Dave Stegman (April 30, 1981) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
The Oakland Athletics traded a player to be named later and cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bob Owchinko. The Oakland Athletics sent Ernie Camacho (April 10, 1981) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade.
April 7, 1981 (Standings)
The San Francisco Giants returned George Bjorkman (earlier draft pick) to the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Kansas City Royals signed Jerry Grote as a free agent.
The Seattle Mariners signed Ted Cox as a free agent.
The Chicago White Sox released Ron Pruitt.
April 8, 1981 (Standings)
The Seattle Mariners signed Bob Galasso as a free agent.
The Seattle Mariners signed Jamie Nelson as a free agent.
The Cincinnati Reds released Paul Gibson.
The Boston Red Sox traded Dick Drago to the Seattle Mariners for Manny Sarmiento.
April 9, 1981 (Standings)
The Oakland Athletics returned Tom Filer (earlier draft pick) to the New York Yankees.
The Cleveland Indians signed Jim Lentine as a free agent.
The Oakland Athletics signed Dave Heaverlo as a free agent.
The Oakland Athletics signed Bo McLaughlin as a free agent.
The Cleveland Indians released Dell Alston.
April 10, 1981 (Standings)
The Oakland Athletics signed Gorman Heimueller as a free agent.
April 14, 1981 (Standings)
The Oakland Athletics signed Chris Codiroli as a free agent.
April 17, 1981 (Standings)
The Houston Astros signed David Clyde as a free agent.
The New York Yankees signed Dave LaRoche as a free agent.
The Texas Rangers signed Bobby Bonds as a free agent.
The Los Angeles Dodgers released Don Stanhouse.
April 19, 1981 (Standings)
The Cleveland Indians signed Ron Pruitt as a free agent.
April 20, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels released Dave Rader.
The Houston Astros traded Dave Bergman and Jeffrey Leonard to the San Francisco Giants for Mike Ivie.
April 22, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels signed Doug Rau as a free agent.
The Oakland Athletics signed Chuck Hensley as a free agent.
April 25, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Mets signed Jose Bautista as an amateur free agent.
April 27, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Yankees signed Bill Lindsey as an amateur free agent.
The Chicago Cubs traded Barry Foote to the New York Yankees for Tom Filer and cash.
April 28, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels signed Bob Davis as a free agent.
April 29, 1981 (Standings)
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Bill Lyons as a free agent.
April 30, 1981 (Standings)
The Oakland Athletics signed Mike Warren as a free agent.
May 1, 1981 (Standings)
The Atlanta Braves released Mike Lum.
May 4, 1981 (Standings)
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Willie Horton as a free agent.
May 10, 1981 (Standings)
The Montreal Expos purchased Mike Phillips from the San Diego Padres.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded Buck Martinez to the Toronto Blue Jays for Gil Kubski.
May 11, 1981 (Standings)
The Cincinnati Reds signed Mike Smith as an amateur free agent.
May 17, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago Cubs signed Mike Lum as a free agent.
The New York Yankees signed Orestes Destrade as an amateur free agent.
The San Francisco Giants signed Phil Ouellette as an amateur free agent.
May 18, 1981 (Standings)
The Detroit Tigers released Duffy Dyer.
May 20, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Yankees traded Jim Spencer and Tom Underwood to the Oakland Athletics for Dave Revering, Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty (minors).
May 23, 1981 (Standings)
The Detroit Tigers signed Paul Gibson as a free agent.
The Cleveland Indians signed Jose Roman as an amateur free agent.
May 25, 1981 (Standings)
The Texas Rangers released Ed Figueroa.
May 26, 1981 (Standings)
The Baltimore Orioles signed Nate Snell as a free agent.
The Cleveland Indians signed Junior Noboa as an amateur free agent.
May 27, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Mets released Dave Roberts.
May 28, 1981 (Standings)
The Seattle Mariners purchased Steve Stroughter from the Minnesota Twins.
The Seattle Mariners released Ted Cox.
May 29, 1981 (Standings)
The Montreal Expos traded Ellis Valentine to the New York Mets for Jeff Reardon and Dan Norman.
May 30, 1981 (Standings)
The Milwaukee Brewers signed Hipolito Pena as an amateur free agent.
June 2, 1981 (Standings)
The Oakland Athletics signed Ed Figueroa as a free agent.
June 4, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago Cubs purchased Bobby Bonds from the Texas Rangers.
June 7, 1981 (Standings)
The Houston Astros traded Joaquin Andujar to the St. Louis Cardinals for Tony Scott.
June 8, 1981 (Standings)
The Baltimore Orioles drafted Tony Arnold in the 10th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Baltimore Orioles drafted Jeff Schaefer in the 12th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Boston Red Sox drafted Steve Ellsworth in the 1st round (9th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Boston Red Sox drafted Steve Lyons in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Boston Red Sox drafted Rob Woodward in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 14, 1981.
The Boston Red Sox drafted Todd Benzinger in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The California Angels drafted Dick Schofield in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The California Angels drafted Devon White in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 13, 1981.
The California Angels drafted Sap Randall in the 10th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The California Angels drafted Craig Gerber in the 20th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Chicago Cubs drafted Joe Carter in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 12, 1981.
The Chicago Cubs drafted Vance Lovelace in the 1st round (16th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Chicago Cubs drafted Darrin Jackson in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 11, 1981.
The Chicago White Sox drafted Daryl Boston in the 1st round (7th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Chicago White Sox drafted Craig Smajstrla in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Chicago White Sox drafted Wade Rowdon in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Chicago White Sox drafted Al Jones in the 13th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Chicago White Sox drafted Jack Hardy in the 21st round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Paul O'Neill in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 11, 1981.
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Terry McGriff in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 12, 1981.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Neal Heaton in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Dwight Taylor in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Randy O'Neal in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Detroit Tigers drafted Nelson Simmons in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Bryan Kelly in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Chuck Cary in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Scott Earl in the 14th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Houston Astros drafted Eric Bullock in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Kansas City Royals drafted Dave Leeper in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Tony Ferreira in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Mark Gubicza in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 15, 1981.
The Kansas City Royals drafted David Cone in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1981.
The Kansas City Royals drafted John Davis in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Dave Anderson in the 1st round (22nd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Ralph Bryant in the 1st round (22nd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Sid Bream in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Lemmie Miller in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Sid Fernandez in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 21, 1981.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted John Franco in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 9, 1981.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Stu Pederson in the 9th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Bill Wegman in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Bryan Clutterbuck in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Minnesota Twins drafted Frank Viola in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Minnesota Twins drafted Curt Wardle in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Minnesota Twins drafted Dave Meier in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Minnesota Twins drafted Steve Lombardozzi in the 9th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Montreal Expos drafted Al Newman in the 1st round (12th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Montreal Expos drafted Mike Fuentes in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Mets drafted Terry Blocker in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Mets drafted John Christensen in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Mets drafted Dave Cochrane in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Mets drafted Mark Carreon in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 15, 1981.
The New York Mets drafted Lenny Dykstra in the 13th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed July 3, 1981.
The New York Mets drafted Lou Thornton in the 19th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Yankees drafted Scott Bradley in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Yankees drafted Phil Lombardi in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Yankees drafted Eric Plunk in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 15, 1981.
The New York Yankees drafted Mike Pagliarulo in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Yankees drafted Fred McGriff in the 9th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 11, 1981.
The New York Yankees drafted Dick Scott in the 17th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Yankees drafted Bob Tewksbury in the 19th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The New York Yankees drafted Logan Easley in the 20th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Donnie Hill in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Oakland Athletics drafted Tim Pyznarski in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Mike Gallego in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 12, 1981.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Rick Rodriguez in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Curt Young in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Mickey Tettleton in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Bill Bathe in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Johnny Abrego in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 11, 1981.
The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Jim Olander in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1981.
The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Charles Hudson in the 12th round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 9, 1981.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Ray Krawczyk in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Jim Winn in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Lee Tunnell in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The San Diego Padres drafted Kevin McReynolds in the 1st round (6th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The San Diego Padres drafted Bill Long in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The San Diego Padres drafted Tony Gwynn in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 16, 1981.
The San Diego Padres drafted John Kruk in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The San Diego Padres drafted Greg Booker in the 10th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The San Diego Padres drafted Paul Noce in the 14th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Mike Moore in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Mark Langston in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft. Player signed June 17, 1981.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Phil Bradley in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Lee Guetterman in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Ricky Nelson in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Brick Smith in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The San Francisco Giants drafted Mark Grant in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The San Francisco Giants drafted Kelvin Torve in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The San Francisco Giants drafted Matt Nokes in the 20th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Randy Hunt in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Bob Meacham in the 1st round (8th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Tom Nieto in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Curt Ford in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Jeff Keener in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Danny Cox in the 13th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Texas Rangers drafted Ron Darling in the 1st round (9th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Texas Rangers drafted Al Lachowicz in the 1st round (24th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Texas Rangers drafted Kevin Buckley in the 17th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Texas Rangers drafted Glen Cook in the 24th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Matt Williams in the 1st round (5th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Mike Sharperson in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase).
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted John Cerutti in the 1st round (21st pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Stan Clarke in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
The Baltimore Orioles drafted Cecil Fielder in the 31st round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The California Angels drafted Joey Meyer in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Chicago White Sox drafted La Vel Freeman in the 30th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Scott Ruskin in the 14th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Dana Williams in the 34th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Matt Kinzer in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Tommy Gregg in the 9th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Terry Wells in the 11th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Jim Paciorek in the 14th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Brad Arnsberg in the 19th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Chuck Jackson in the 21st round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cleveland Indians drafted Keith Miller in the 24th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Detroit Tigers drafted Barry Lyons in the 25th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Shane Mack in the 4th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Mark Williamson in the 12th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Rich Rodriguez in the 17th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Jeff Ballard in the 16th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Minnesota Twins drafted John Marzano in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Montreal Expos drafted Nelson Santovenia in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Montreal Expos drafted Phil Stephenson in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Montreal Expos drafted Mark McGwire in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Montreal Expos drafted Marvin Freeman in the 9th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Montreal Expos drafted Gene Walter in the 25th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The New York Mets drafted Roger Clemens in the 12th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The New York Mets drafted Luis Medina in the 33rd round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The New York Yankees drafted John Fishel in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The New York Yankees drafted Les Lancaster in the 24th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Oakland Athletics drafted Alvin Davis in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Vince Coleman in the 20th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Charlie Kerfeld in the 24th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Bip Roberts in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Scott Bankhead in the 17th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Chris Bosio in the 29th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Lance Johnson in the 30th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Charlie O'Brien in the 21st round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The San Francisco Giants drafted Dave Leiper in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but was not signed.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Reggie Williams in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Bruce Walton in the 10th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Texas Rangers drafted Oddibe McDowell in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but was not signed.
The Texas Rangers drafted Barry Jones in the 6th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Benny Distefano in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but was not signed.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Jeff Kaiser in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Alan Cockrell in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but was not signed.
The Cincinnati Reds traded Harry Spilman to the Houston Astros for Rafael Landestoy.
June 10, 1981 (Standings)
The Oakland Athletics purchased Rick Bosetti from the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Texas Rangers released Adrian Devine.
June 12, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago Cubs traded Rick Reuschel to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later, Doug Bird, and $400,000. The New York Yankees sent Mike Griffin (August 5, 1981) to the Chicago Cubs to complete the trade.
June 14, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Mets signed Paul Wilmet as an amateur free agent.
June 15, 1981 (Standings)
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Elliott Maddox as a free agent.
The San Francisco Giants signed Dave Roberts as a free agent.
The New York Mets signed Bill Latham as an amateur free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Luis Aquino as an amateur free agent.
June 18, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels signed T.R. Bryden as an amateur free agent.
June 20, 1981 (Standings)
The Detroit Tigers signed Bernie Carbo as a free agent.
June 22, 1981 (Standings)
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Jose Segura as an amateur free agent.
June 25, 1981 (Standings)
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Denny Gonzalez as an amateur free agent.
July 6, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago White Sox signed Jim Barr as a free agent.
July 8, 1981 (Standings)
The Milwaukee Brewers released Paul Hartzell.
July 11, 1981 (Standings)
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Bobby Bonilla as an amateur free agent.
July 12, 1981 (Standings)
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Mike LaValliere as an amateur free agent.
July 16, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels purchased Angel Moreno from the Aguascalientes (Mexican).
July 18, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago White Sox signed George Riley as a free agent.
The New York Mets signed De Wayne Vaughn as an amateur free agent.
August 3, 1981 (Standings)
The San Francisco Giants released Mike Sadek.
August 4, 1981 (Standings)
The San Francisco Giants released Randy Moffitt.
The San Francisco Giants released Billy North.
August 8, 1981 (Standings)
The Toronto Blue Jays purchased Juan Berenguer from the Kansas City Royals.
The Atlanta Braves released Bill Nahorodny.
August 11, 1981 (Standings)
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Greg Jelks as an amateur free agent.
August 12, 1981 (Standings)
The Texas Rangers selected Tom Poquette off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
August 13, 1981 (Standings)
The Cleveland Indians released Ross Grimsley.
The Los Angeles Dodgers released Joe Ferguson.
August 15, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago Cubs traded Lynn McGlothen to the Chicago White Sox for a player to be named later. The Chicago White Sox sent Bob Molinaro (March 29, 1982) to the Chicago Cubs to complete the trade.
August 18, 1981 (Standings)
The Texas Rangers released Larry Cox.
August 19, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Mets signed Mike Marshall as a free agent.
The New York Yankees traded Pat Tabler to the Chicago Cubs for players to be named later. The Chicago Cubs sent Bill Caudill (April 1, 1982) and Jay Howell (August 2, 1982) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
August 20, 1981 (Standings)
The Montreal Expos traded Willie Montanez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for John Milner.
August 23, 1981 (Standings)
The Minnesota Twins traded Ron Jackson to the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named later. The Detroit Tigers sent Tim Corcoran (September 4, 1981) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
August 24, 1981 (Standings)
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Keith Hughes as an amateur free agent.
The Philadelphia Phillies released John Vukovich.
August 25, 1981 (Standings)
The Cleveland Indians purchased Dennis Lewallyn from the Texas Rangers.
August 27, 1981 (Standings)
The Cincinnati Reds released Bill Bonham.
The Oakland Athletics released Tim Hosley.
August 30, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago White Sox traded a player to be named later, Ivan Mesa (minors), Ronnie Perry (minors), and cash to the Minnesota Twins for Jerry Koosman. The Chicago White Sox sent Randy Johnson (September 2, 1981) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
August 31, 1981 (Standings)
The Los Angeles Dodgers released Pepe Frias.
The Philadelphia Phillies released Nino Espinosa.
The Houston Astros traded players to be named later and Johnny Ray to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Phil Garner. The Houston Astros sent Randy Niemann (September 9, 1981) and Kevin Houston (minors) (September 9, 1981) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade.
September 1, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels signed Joe Ferguson as a free agent.
The Montreal Expos purchased Grant Jackson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for $50,000.
The Chicago White Sox released Francisco Barrios.
The Kansas City Royals released Jerry Grote.
September 3, 1981 (Standings)
The Milwaukee Brewers purchased Donnie Moore from the St. Louis Cardinals.
September 4, 1981 (Standings)
The Chicago White Sox released Jim Barr.
September 8, 1981 (Standings)
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Jerry Grote as a free agent.
The Texas Rangers purchased Bob Lacey from the Cleveland Indians.
The Montreal Expos released Tom Hutton.
September 9, 1981 (Standings)
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Ted Cox as a free agent.
The Chicago White Sox purchased Jerry Turner from the San Diego Padres.
September 10, 1981 (Standings)
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Nino Espinosa as a free agent.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Balvino Galvez as an amateur free agent.
The Chicago White Sox purchased Jerry Hairston from the Durango (Mexican).
The Cincinnati Reds traded Doug Bair to the St. Louis Cardinals for Neil Fiala and Joe Edelen.
September 22, 1981 (Standings)
The Montreal Expos signed Luis Rivera as an amateur free agent.
September 25, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels released Doug Rau.
October 5, 1981 (Standings)
The Atlanta Braves released Gaylord Perry.
The Detroit Tigers released Mark Fidrych.
The Pittsburgh Pirates released Luis Tiant.
October 12, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Mets released Mike Marshall.
October 13, 1981 (Standings)
The New York Yankees released Eric Soderholm.
October 14, 1981 (Standings)
The Los Angeles Dodgers released Jerry Grote.
The St. Louis Cardinals released Jim Otten.
October 15, 1981 (Standings)
The California Angels released Bob Davis.
October 20, 1981
The Philadelphia Phillies traded Ramon Aviles to the Texas Rangers for Dave Rajsich.
October 21, 1981
The New York Yankees traded Willie McGee to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bob Sykes.
October 23, 1981
The Pittsburgh Pirates purchased Manny Sarmiento from the Boston Red Sox.
The Chicago Cubs purchased Junior Kennedy from the Cincinnati Reds for $50,000.
The Chicago Cubs released Bobby Bonds.
The Seattle Mariners released Rick Auerbach.
The Houston Astros traded Pete Ladd to the Milwaukee Brewers for Rickey Keeton.
The Kansas City Royals traded Manny Castillo to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later. The Seattle Mariners sent Bud Black (March 2, 1982) to the Kansas City Royals to complete the trade.
The Minnesota Twins traded Mike Kinnunen to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jeff Little.
October 26, 1981
The Pittsburgh Pirates released Kurt Bevacqua.
October 27, 1981
The New York Mets released Dyar Miller.
October 30, 1981
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Chris James as an amateur free agent.
The Chicago White Sox traded Dewey Robinson and Gary Holle to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jose Castro (minors).
October 31, 1981
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Jose Mesa as an amateur free agent.
November 2, 1981
The Kansas City Royals signed Van Snider as an amateur free agent.
November 4, 1981
The Cincinnati Reds traded Ken Griffey to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later and Brian Ryder (minors). The New York Yankees sent Freddie Toliver (December 9, 1981) to the Cincinnati Reds to complete the trade.
November 5, 1981
The Milwaukee Brewers returned Donnie Moore to the St. Louis Cardinals following previous purchase.
November 6, 1981
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Ruben Rodriguez as an amateur free agent.
November 13, 1981
John Montefusco of the Atlanta Braves granted free agency.
Mark Belanger of the Baltimore Orioles granted free agency.
Bill Campbell of the Boston Red Sox granted free agency.
Jerry Remy of the Boston Red Sox granted free agency.
Joe Rudi of the Boston Red Sox granted free agency.
Frank Tanana of the Boston Red Sox granted free agency.
Bert Campaneris of the California Angels granted free agency.
Jesse Jefferson of the California Angels granted free agency.
Ed Ott of the California Angels granted free agency.
Tim Blackwell of the Chicago Cubs granted free agency.
Hector Cruz of the Chicago Cubs granted free agency.
Dick Tidrow of the Chicago Cubs granted free agency.
Ed Farmer of the Chicago White Sox granted free agency.
Lamar Johnson of the Chicago White Sox granted free agency.
Jerry Turner of the Chicago White Sox granted free agency.
Dave Collins of the Cincinnati Reds granted free agency.
Mike Vail of the Cincinnati Reds granted free agency.
John Denny of the Cleveland Indians granted free agency.
Sid Monge of the Cleveland Indians granted free agency.
Rick Waits of the Cleveland Indians granted free agency.
Ron Jackson of the Detroit Tigers granted free agency.
Tony Scott of the Houston Astros granted free agency.
Dave Chalk of the Kansas City Royals granted free agency.
Cesar Geronimo of the Kansas City Royals granted free agency.
Rick Monday of the Los Angeles Dodgers granted free agency.
Reggie Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers granted free agency.
Glenn Adams of the Minnesota Twins granted free agency.
Pete Mackanin of the Minnesota Twins granted free agency.
Chris Speier of the Montreal Expos granted free agency.
Ron Guidry of the New York Yankees granted free agency.
Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees granted free agency.
Dave LaRoche of the New York Yankees granted free agency.
Bobby Murcer of the New York Yankees granted free agency.
Larry Christenson of the Philadelphia Phillies granted free agency.
Ron Reed of the Philadelphia Phillies granted free agency.
Glenn Abbott of the Seattle Mariners granted free agency.
Jeff Burroughs of the Seattle Mariners granted free agency.
Joaquin Andujar of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.
Fergie Jenkins of the Texas Rangers granted free agency.
Tom Poquette of the Texas Rangers granted free agency.
Buck Martinez of the Toronto Blue Jays granted free agency.
November 14, 1981
The Cleveland Indians traded Duane Kuiper to the San Francisco Giants for Ed Whitson.
November 17, 1981
The New York Yankees traded Aurelio Rodriguez to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later. The Toronto Blue Jays sent Mike Lebo (minors) (December 9, 1981) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
November 20, 1981
As part of a 3-team trade: The Cleveland Indians sent Bo Diaz to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Philadelphia Phillies sent a player to be named later to the Cleveland Indians. The Philadelphia Phillies sent Lonnie Smith to the St. Louis Cardinals. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Lary Sorensen and Silvio Martinez to the Cleveland Indians. The Philadelphia Phillies sent Scott Munninghoff (December 9, 1981) to the Cleveland Indians to complete the trade.
November 25, 1981
The Kansas City Royals released Ken Brett.
November 27, 1981
The Cincinnati Reds signed Mike Vail as a free agent.
The