Loading…
The 1988 season’s official transaction log: 680 trades, signings and releases involving major-league clubs, listed newest first.
| Date | Type | Player | From | To | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Orlando Mercado | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Dec 26, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Davis | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Dec 24, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Flanagan | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Free agent signing |
| Dec 23, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Darrell Evans | — | Atlanta Braves | Free agent signing |
| Dec 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave Johnson | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Dec 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dickie Noles | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Dec 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jose Segura | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Buddy Bell | Houston Astros | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Bob Brenly | San Francisco Giants | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | John Christensen | Minnesota Twins | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Frank DiPino | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bob Forsch | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Ken Griffey | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Danny Heep | Los Angeles Dodgers | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rick Honeycutt | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Bob Horner | St. Louis Cardinals | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ray Krawczyk | — | Milwaukee Brewers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Tom Lawless | St. Louis Cardinals | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Steve Ontiveros | Oakland Athletics | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Rod Scurry | Seattle Mariners | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Alex Trevino | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Manny Trillo | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ed Vande Berg | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Released | Frank Williams | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Dec 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Joel Youngblood | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Dec 20, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Gantner | — | Milwaukee Brewers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 20, 1988 | Released | Jon Perlman | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Dec 20, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jamie Quirk | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Dec 20, 1988 | Released | Reggie Williams | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Dec 19, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tim Laudner | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Dec 19, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Smithson | — | Boston Red Sox | Free agent signing |
| Dec 19, 1988 | Trade | Scott Anderson | Texas Rangers | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Dec 19, 1988 | Trade | Mike Berger | Montreal Expos | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Dec 18, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Wayne Tolleson | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Dec 16, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Clancy | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Dec 16, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Griffin | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Dec 16, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Craig Reynolds | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Dec 16, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bob Tewksbury | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Dec 16, 1988 | Trade | Steve Lake | St. Louis Cardinals | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Dec 16, 1988 | Trade | Curt Ford | St. Louis Cardinals | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Dec 16, 1988 | Trade | Milt Thompson | Philadelphia Phillies | St. Louis Cardinals | Trade |
| Dec 15, 1988 | Released | Glenn Hoffman | Boston Red Sox | — | Release |
| Dec 15, 1988 | Signed | Mark Hutton | — | New York Yankees | Amateur free agent signing |
| Dec 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dick Scott | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Dec 14, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Domingo Ramos | — | Chicago Cubs | Free agent signing |
| Dec 14, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Craig Smajstrla | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Dec 13, 1988 | Trade | Dan Walters | Houston Astros | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Dec 13, 1988 | Trade | Ed Vosberg | San Diego Padres | Houston Astros | Trade |
| Dec 13, 1988 | Trade | Todd Benzinger | Boston Red Sox | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Dec 13, 1988 | Trade | Jeff Sellers | Boston Red Sox | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Dec 13, 1988 | Trade | Nick Esasky | Cincinnati Reds | Boston Red Sox | Trade |
| Dec 13, 1988 | Trade | Rob Murphy | Cincinnati Reds | Boston Red Sox | Trade |
| Dec 12, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Randy Bush | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Dec 12, 1988 | Released | Mike Diaz | Chicago White Sox | — | Release |
| Dec 11, 1988 | Signed | Jose Martinez | — | New York Mets | Amateur free agent signing |
| Dec 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Willie Randolph | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Weaver | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Andy Hawkins | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bruce Hurst | — | San Diego Padres | Free agent signing |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | John Dopson | Montreal Expos | Boston Red Sox | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Luis Rivera | Montreal Expos | Boston Red Sox | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Spike Owen | Boston Red Sox | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Dan Gakeler | Boston Red Sox | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Ken Howell | Baltimore Orioles | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Gordon Dillard | Baltimore Orioles | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Phil Bradley | Philadelphia Phillies | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Mike Aldrete | San Francisco Giants | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Tracy Jones | Montreal Expos | San Francisco Giants | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Lloyd McClendon | Cincinnati Reds | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Dec 8, 1988 | Trade | Rolando Roomes | Chicago Cubs | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jay Baller | — | Montreal Expos | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave Bergman | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave Collins | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Greg Harris | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Odell Jones | — | Milwaukee Brewers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jeffrey Leonard | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tom Niedenfuer | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ted Power | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Nolan Ryan | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Scott Sanderson | — | Chicago Cubs | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Schmidt | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Lary Sorensen | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mario Soto | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Released | Kent Tekulve | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Doug Kline | Baltimore Orioles | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Todd McClure | Houston Astros | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Gus Polidor | California Angels | Milwaukee Brewers | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Bill Schroeder | Milwaukee Brewers | California Angels | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Wally Backman | New York Mets | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Mike Santiago | New York Mets | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Jeff Bumgarner | Minnesota Twins | New York Mets | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Steve Gasser | Minnesota Twins | New York Mets | Trade |
| Dec 7, 1988 | Trade | Toby Nivens | Minnesota Twins | New York Mets | Trade |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Buckner | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Dwyer | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Garry Templeton | — | San Diego Padres | Free agent signing |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Trade | Julio Franco | Cleveland Indians | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Trade | Pete O'Brien | Texas Rangers | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Trade | Oddibe McDowell | Texas Rangers | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Trade | Jerry Browne | Texas Rangers | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Trade | Floyd Youmans | Montreal Expos | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Trade | Jeff Parrett | Montreal Expos | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Dec 6, 1988 | Trade | Kevin Gross | Philadelphia Phillies | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Buddy Black | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Al Pedrique | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Released | Jeff Stone | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Mitch Williams | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Paul Kilgus | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Steve Wilson | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Curt Wilkerson | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Luis Benitez | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Pablo Delgado | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Rafael Palmeiro | Chicago Cubs | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Jamie Moyer | Chicago Cubs | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Drew Hall | Chicago Cubs | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Bob Brower | Texas Rangers | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Dec 5, 1988 | Trade | Bob Meacham | New York Yankees | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Released | Chuck Cary | Atlanta Braves | — | Release |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Released | Ed Olwine | Atlanta Braves | — | Release |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Larry See | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Trade | Juan Bell | Los Angeles Dodgers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Trade | Brian Holton | Los Angeles Dodgers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Trade | Ken Howell | Los Angeles Dodgers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Trade | Eddie Murray | Baltimore Orioles | Los Angeles Dodgers | Trade |
| Dec 4, 1988 | Trade | Mark Portugal | Minnesota Twins | Houston Astros | Trade |
| Dec 3, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave LaPoint | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Dec 3, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jesse Orosco | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Dec 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Luis Aguayo | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Dec 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rick Mahler | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Dec 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ron Oester | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Dec 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Randy O'Neal | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Dec 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave Henderson | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Nov 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Billy Beane | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Nov 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Randy Bockus | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Nov 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bob Boone | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Nov 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Scott Fletcher | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Nov 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Greg Olson | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Nov 28, 1988 | Released | Rod Allen | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Nov 28, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Moore | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Nov 28, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mickey Weston | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Nov 28, 1988 | Trade | Denny Gonzalez | Pittsburgh Pirates | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Nov 27, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bob Walk | — | Pittsburgh Pirates | Free agent signing |
| Nov 26, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Kiefer | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Nov 26, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ron Kittle | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Nov 23, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Manny Hernandez | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Nov 23, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Sax | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Nov 23, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jeff Schwarz | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Nov 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Pete Dalena | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Nov 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Butch Davis | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Nov 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tim Hulett | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Nov 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Brad Komminsk | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Nov 21, 1988 | Signed | Roberto Mejia | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Amateur free agent signing |
| Nov 21, 1988 | Released | Matt Young | Oakland Athletics | — | Release |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Stan Clarke | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dennis Lamp | — | Boston Red Sox | Free agent signing |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Released | Al Pedrique | Pittsburgh Pirates | — | Release |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Released | Jose Segura | Chicago White Sox | — | Release |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Trade | Wilfredo Tejada | Montreal Expos | San Francisco Giants | Trade |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Trade | Angel Escobar | San Francisco Giants | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Trade | Reggie Dobie | New York Mets | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Nov 20, 1988 | Trade | Chuck Carr | Seattle Mariners | New York Mets | Trade |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tom Herr | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Released | Dickie Noles | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Released | Jim Pankovits | Houston Astros | — | Release |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Joe Redfield | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Don Schulze | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Released | Craig Smajstrla | Houston Astros | — | Release |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Trade | Eric Schmidt | New York Yankees | California Angels | Trade |
| Nov 17, 1988 | Trade | Brian Dorsett | California Angels | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Nov 16, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Pat Keedy | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Nov 16, 1988 | Released | Ray Knight | Detroit Tigers | — | Release |
| Nov 16, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mark Wasinger | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Nov 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Luis DeLeon | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| Nov 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Gary Redus | — | Pittsburgh Pirates | Free agent signing |
| Nov 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Danny Sheaffer | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Nov 15, 1988 | Trade | Don Lovell | Cleveland Indians | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Nov 15, 1988 | Trade | John Githens | Cleveland Indians | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Nov 15, 1988 | Trade | Tom Magrann | Baltimore Orioles | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Nov 15, 1988 | Trade | Jerry Holtz | Baltimore Orioles | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Nov 14, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jeff Datz | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Nov 14, 1988 | Released | Wade Rowdon | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Nov 14, 1988 | Trade | Mike Smith | Montreal Expos | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Nov 13, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Marshall | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Nov 11, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mark Ryal | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Nov 11, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Kevin Ward | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Nov 10, 1988 | Released | Tommy John | New York Yankees | — | Release |
| Nov 10, 1988 | Released | Jerry Mumphrey | Chicago Cubs | — | Release |
| Nov 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Paul Wilmet | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Nov 9, 1988 | Trade | Randy Milligan | Pittsburgh Pirates | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Nov 9, 1988 | Trade | Pete Blohm | Baltimore Orioles | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Nov 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Bathe | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| Nov 8, 1988 | Released | Leon Durham | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Nov 8, 1988 | Released | Mike Laga | St. Louis Cardinals | — | Release |
| Nov 8, 1988 | Released | Kelly Paris | Chicago White Sox | — | Release |
| Nov 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rick Rodriguez | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Nov 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Alfredo Griffin | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Nov 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Alejandro Peña | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Nov 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Skeeter Barnes | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Nov 4, 1988 | Released | Larry Herndon | Detroit Tigers | — | Release |
| Nov 3, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ed Jurak | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| Nov 3, 1988 | Trade | Bert Blyleven | Minnesota Twins | California Angels | Trade |
| Nov 3, 1988 | Trade | Kevin Trudeau | Minnesota Twins | California Angels | Trade |
| Nov 3, 1988 | Trade | Mike Cook | California Angels | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Nov 3, 1988 | Trade | Rob Wassenaar | California Angels | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Nov 3, 1988 | Trade | Paul Sorrento | California Angels | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Oct 31, 1988 | Released | Doug Bair | Toronto Blue Jays | — | Release |
| Oct 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Billy Jo Robidoux | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Oct 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Fireovid | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Oct 28, 1988 | Released | Larry Parrish | Boston Red Sox | — | Release |
| Oct 28, 1988 | Released | Frank Wills | Toronto Blue Jays | — | Release |
| Oct 28, 1988 | Trade | Walt Terrell | Detroit Tigers | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Oct 28, 1988 | Trade | Chris Brown | San Diego Padres | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Oct 28, 1988 | Trade | Keith Moreland | San Diego Padres | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Oct 27, 1988 | Released | Bob McClure | New York Mets | — | Release |
| Oct 26, 1988 | Released | Steve Stanicek | Milwaukee Brewers | — | Release |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Unnamed | Philadelphia Phillies | Minnesota Twins | $ |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Tom Herr | Minnesota Twins | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Eric Bullock | Minnesota Twins | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Tom Nieto | Minnesota Twins | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Shane Rawley | Philadelphia Phillies | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Lance McCullers | San Diego Padres | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Jimmy Jones | San Diego Padres | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Stan Jefferson | San Diego Padres | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Jack Clark | New York Yankees | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Oct 24, 1988 | Trade | Pat Clements | New York Yankees | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Oct 20, 1988 | Trade | Carl Grovom | Houston Astros | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Oct 19, 1988 | Released | Jerry Hairston | Chicago White Sox | — | Release |
| Oct 13, 1988 | Released | Mark Clear | Milwaukee Brewers | — | Release |
| Oct 13, 1988 | Released | David Palmer | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Oct 13, 1988 | Released | Dave Rucker | Pittsburgh Pirates | — | Release |
| Oct 12, 1988 | Trade | Troy Evers | New York Yankees | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Oct 11, 1988 | Released | Guy Hoffman | Texas Rangers | — | Release |
| Oct 9, 1988 | Signed | Carlos Delgado | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Amateur free agent signing |
| Oct 7, 1988 | Released | Chris Bando | Detroit Tigers | — | Release |
| Oct 7, 1988 | Released | Dave Concepcion | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Oct 7, 1988 | Released | Bill Dawley | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Oct 7, 1988 | Released | Jackie Gutierrez | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Oct 6, 1988 | Released | Butch Wynegar | California Angels | — | Release |
| Oct 4, 1988 | Released | Lee Tunnell | St. Louis Cardinals | — | Release |
| Oct 3, 1988 | Released | Don Aase | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Oct 3, 1988 | Released | Steve Henderson | Houston Astros | — | Release |
| Oct 3, 1988 | Released | Doug Sisk | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Oct 3, 1988 | Trade | Lance Parrish | Philadelphia Phillies | California Angels | Trade |
| Oct 3, 1988 | Trade | David Holdridge | California Angels | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Oct 3, 1988 | Trade | Jim Neidlinger | Pittsburgh Pirates | Los Angeles Dodgers | Trade |
| Oct 3, 1988 | Trade | Bill Krueger | Los Angeles Dodgers | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Sep 29, 1988 | Released | Salome Barojas | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Sep 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mark Leiter | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Sep 29, 1988 | Trade | Kevin Coffman | Atlanta Braves | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Sep 29, 1988 | Trade | Kevin Blankenship | Atlanta Braves | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Sep 29, 1988 | Trade | Jody Davis | Chicago Cubs | Atlanta Braves | Trade |
| Sep 25, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Morris | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Sep 13, 1988 | Trade | Jack Daugherty | Montreal Expos | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Sep 9, 1988 | Trade | Cesar Mejia | Detroit Tigers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Sep 9, 1988 | Trade | Robinson Garces | Detroit Tigers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Sep 6, 1988 | Released | Chris Codiroli | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Sep 4, 1988 | Signed | Joe Millette | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Amateur free agent signing |
| Sep 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Chris Bando | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Sep 1, 1988 | Trade | Tommy Gregg | Pittsburgh Pirates | Atlanta Braves | Trade |
| Sep 1, 1988 | Trade | Travis Chambers | Philadelphia Phillies | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Sep 1, 1988 | Trade | Bob Sebra | Montreal Expos | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Sep 1, 1988 | Trade | Tom O'Malley | Texas Rangers | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jerry Hairston | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Doug Kline | Minnesota Twins | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Denny Walling | Houston Astros | St. Louis Cardinals | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Bob Forsch | St. Louis Cardinals | Houston Astros | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Chris Hoiles | Detroit Tigers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Fred Lynn | Baltimore Orioles | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Rey Palacios | Detroit Tigers | Kansas City Royals | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Mark Lee | Detroit Tigers | Kansas City Royals | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Ted Power | Kansas City Royals | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | John Trautwein | Montreal Expos | Boston Red Sox | Trade |
| Aug 31, 1988 | Trade | Victor Rosario | Boston Red Sox | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Aug 30, 1988 | Trade | Shawn Hillegas | Los Angeles Dodgers | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Aug 30, 1988 | Trade | Ricky Horton | Chicago White Sox | Los Angeles Dodgers | Trade |
| Aug 30, 1988 | Trade | Dale Mohorcic | Texas Rangers | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Aug 30, 1988 | Trade | Cecilio Guante | New York Yankees | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Aug 29, 1988 | Trade | Jim Dwyer | Baltimore Orioles | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Aug 28, 1988 | Signed | Shawn Hare | — | Detroit Tigers | Amateur free agent signing |
| Aug 28, 1988 | Released | Dave Hostetler | Pittsburgh Pirates | — | Release |
| Aug 28, 1988 | Trade | Unnamed | Atlanta Braves | Pittsburgh Pirates | $ |
| Aug 28, 1988 | Trade | Ken Oberkfell | Atlanta Braves | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Aug 26, 1988 | Released | Donnie Moore | California Angels | — | Release |
| Aug 24, 1988 | Trade | Alex Madrid | Milwaukee Brewers | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Aug 24, 1988 | Trade | Mike Young | Philadelphia Phillies | Milwaukee Brewers | Trade |
| Aug 22, 1988 | Signed | Hector Ramirez | — | New York Mets | Amateur free agent signing |
| Aug 21, 1988 | Released | Bill Laskey | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Aug 19, 1988 | Trade | Mike Diaz | Pittsburgh Pirates | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Aug 19, 1988 | Trade | Gary Redus | Chicago White Sox | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Aug 18, 1988 | Signed | Bob Wells | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Amateur free agent signing |
| Aug 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Domingo Ramos | — | California Angels | Free agent signing |
| Aug 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Harry Spilman | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Aug 16, 1988 | Trade | Alan Cockrell | San Francisco Giants | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Aug 16, 1988 | Trade | Karl Best | Minnesota Twins | San Francisco Giants | Trade |
| Aug 16, 1988 | Trade | Kevin Price | Baltimore Orioles | Milwaukee Brewers | Trade |
| Aug 16, 1988 | Trade | D.L. Smith | Baltimore Orioles | Milwaukee Brewers | Trade |
| Aug 16, 1988 | Trade | Tim Pyznarski | Milwaukee Brewers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Aug 16, 1988 | Trade | Pedro Guerrero | Los Angeles Dodgers | St. Louis Cardinals | Trade |
| Aug 16, 1988 | Trade | John Tudor | St. Louis Cardinals | Los Angeles Dodgers | Trade |
| Aug 14, 1988 | Released | Chris Bando | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Aug 14, 1988 | Released | Tim Stoddard | New York Yankees | — | Release |
| Aug 13, 1988 | Trade | Dave LaPoint | Chicago White Sox | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Aug 13, 1988 | Trade | Barry Jones | Pittsburgh Pirates | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Aug 11, 1988 | Released | Harry Spilman | San Francisco Giants | — | Release |
| Aug 10, 1988 | Released | Don Sutton | Los Angeles Dodgers | — | Release |
| Aug 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Scherrer | — | Chicago Cubs | Free agent signing |
| Aug 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Eddie Milner | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Aug 5, 1988 | Released | Domingo Ramos | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Aug 4, 1988 | Trade | Tom McCarthy | New York Mets | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Aug 4, 1988 | Trade | Steve Springer | New York Mets | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Aug 4, 1988 | Trade | Vince Harris | Chicago White Sox | New York Mets | Trade |
| Aug 4, 1988 | Trade | Mike Maksudian | Chicago White Sox | New York Mets | Trade |
| Aug 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ken Griffey | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Aug 1, 1988 | Released | Bill Scherrer | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Jul 31, 1988 | Released | Eddie Milner | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Jul 29, 1988 | Trade | Brady Anderson | Boston Red Sox | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Jul 29, 1988 | Trade | Curt Schilling | Boston Red Sox | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Jul 29, 1988 | Trade | Mike Boddicker | Baltimore Orioles | Boston Red Sox | Trade |
| Jul 28, 1988 | Released | Ken Griffey | Atlanta Braves | — | Release |
| Jul 28, 1988 | Trade | Bryan Oelkers | Montreal Expos | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Jul 28, 1988 | Trade | Paul Noce | Chicago Cubs | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Jul 27, 1988 | Signed | Ivan Rodriguez | — | Texas Rangers | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jul 26, 1988 | Released | Gary Roenicke | Atlanta Braves | — | Release |
| Jul 23, 1988 | Trade | Mark Bailey | Houston Astros | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Jul 23, 1988 | Trade | Casey Candaele | Montreal Expos | Houston Astros | Trade |
| Jul 22, 1988 | Released | Jose Cruz | New York Yankees | — | Release |
| Jul 22, 1988 | Trade | Darnell Coles | Pittsburgh Pirates | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Jul 22, 1988 | Trade | Glenn Wilson | Seattle Mariners | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Jul 21, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Sundberg | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Jul 21, 1988 | Trade | Jay Buhner | New York Yankees | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Jul 21, 1988 | Trade | Rick Balabon | New York Yankees | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Jul 21, 1988 | Trade | Ken Phelps | Seattle Mariners | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Jul 20, 1988 | Signed | Mike Misuraca | — | Minnesota Twins | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jul 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mark Wasinger | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Jul 16, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Larry Parrish | — | Boston Red Sox | Free agent signing |
| Jul 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jackie Gutierrez | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Jul 15, 1988 | Released | Jim Sundberg | Chicago Cubs | — | Release |
| Jul 15, 1988 | Released | Mark Wasinger | San Francisco Giants | — | Release |
| Jul 15, 1988 | Trade | Luis Aguayo | Philadelphia Phillies | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Jul 15, 1988 | Trade | Amalio Carreno | New York Yankees | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Jul 14, 1988 | Released | Dave Engle | Montreal Expos | — | Release |
| Jul 14, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dan Quisenberry | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Jul 14, 1988 | Trade | Dave Martinez | Chicago Cubs | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Jul 14, 1988 | Trade | Mitch Webster | Montreal Expos | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Jul 13, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bob McClure | — | New York Mets | Free agent signing |
| Jul 13, 1988 | Trade | Jeff Reed | Montreal Expos | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Jul 13, 1988 | Trade | Herm Winningham | Montreal Expos | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Jul 13, 1988 | Trade | Randy St. Claire | Montreal Expos | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Jul 13, 1988 | Trade | Tracy Jones | Cincinnati Reds | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Jul 13, 1988 | Trade | Pat Pacillo | Cincinnati Reds | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Jul 11, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Max Venable | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Jul 11, 1988 | Trade | Gene Walter | New York Mets | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Jul 11, 1988 | Trade | Ed Nunez | Seattle Mariners | New York Mets | Trade |
| Jul 9, 1988 | Released | Larry Parrish | Texas Rangers | — | Release |
| Jul 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Butcher | — | California Angels | Free agent signing |
| Jul 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Lary Sorensen | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| Jul 4, 1988 | Released | Gene Garber | Kansas City Royals | — | Release |
| Jul 4, 1988 | Released | Dan Quisenberry | Kansas City Royals | — | Release |
| Jul 3, 1988 | Released | Mike Butcher | Kansas City Royals | — | Release |
| Jul 2, 1988 | Released | Bob McClure | Montreal Expos | — | Release |
| Jul 1, 1988 | Signed | Will Pennyfeather | — | Pittsburgh Pirates | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jul 1988 | Released | Damaso Garcia | Los Angeles Dodgers | — | Release |
| Jun 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Damaso Garcia | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Jun 27, 1988 | Signed | Bobby Ayala | — | Cincinnati Reds | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 27, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dan Schatzeder | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Jun 27, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mario Soto | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Jun 25, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Scherrer | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Jun 25, 1988 | Trade | Russ Kibler | Oakland Athletics | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Jun 24, 1988 | Signed | Steve Reed | — | San Francisco Giants | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 23, 1988 | Trade | Donell Nixon | Seattle Mariners | San Francisco Giants | Trade |
| Jun 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ivan de Jesus | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Jun 22, 1988 | Released | Dan Schatzeder | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Jun 22, 1988 | Trade | Tommy Kurczewski | Cleveland Indians | Atlanta Braves | Trade |
| Jun 20, 1988 | Signed | Scott Bullett | — | Pittsburgh Pirates | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 20, 1988 | Released | Mario Soto | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Jun 19, 1988 | Trade | Buddy Bell | Cincinnati Reds | Houston Astros | Trade |
| Jun 18, 1988 | Signed | Pedro Martinez | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jose Tolentino | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Jun 16, 1988 | Released | Bill Almon | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Jun 15, 1988 | Trade | Edgar Caceres | Montreal Expos | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Jun 14, 1988 | Trade | Frank Bellino | Baltimore Orioles | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Jun 13, 1988 | Released | Mark Leiter | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Jun 13, 1988 | Released | Jose Tolentino | Texas Rangers | — | Release |
| Jun 10, 1988 | Signed | Mike Anderson | — | Cincinnati Reds | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Morrison | — | Atlanta Braves | Free agent signing |
| Jun 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Kemp | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Jun 8, 1988 | Released | Jim Tatum | San Diego Padres | — | Release |
| Jun 8, 1988 | Trade | Dennis Rasmussen | Cincinnati Reds | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Jun 8, 1988 | Trade | Candy Sierra | San Diego Padres | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Jun 8, 1988 | Trade | Ernie Riles | Milwaukee Brewers | San Francisco Giants | Trade |
| Jun 8, 1988 | Trade | Jeffrey Leonard | San Francisco Giants | Milwaukee Brewers | Trade |
| Jun 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Thad Bosley | — | California Angels | Free agent signing |
| Jun 7, 1988 | Trade | Brian Dorsett | Cleveland Indians | California Angels | Trade |
| Jun 6, 1988 | Signed | Raul Mondesi | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 6, 1988 | Released | Jim Morrison | Detroit Tigers | — | Release |
| Jun 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dwayne Murphy | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Jun 4, 1988 | Signed | Pedro Borbon | — | Chicago White Sox | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 3, 1988 | Trade | Buddy Black | Kansas City Royals | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Jun 3, 1988 | Trade | Pat Tabler | Cleveland Indians | Kansas City Royals | Trade |
| Jun 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Houston Jimenez | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Jun 2, 1988 | Signed | Pablo Martinez | — | San Diego Padres | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jun 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Balboni | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| May 31, 1988 | Released | Juan Beniquez | Toronto Blue Jays | — | Release |
| May 28, 1988 | Signed as free agent | John Christensen | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| May 27, 1988 | Released | Steve Balboni | Kansas City Royals | — | Release |
| May 27, 1988 | Released | Thad Bosley | Kansas City Royals | — | Release |
| May 25, 1988 | Released | Steve Kemp | Texas Rangers | — | Release |
| May 24, 1988 | Signed | Wil Cordero | — | Montreal Expos | Amateur free agent signing |
| May 24, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Brad Havens | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| May 23, 1988 | Released | John Christensen | Seattle Mariners | — | Release |
| May 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bryan Clark | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| May 20, 1988 | Signed | Melvin Nieves | — | Atlanta Braves | Amateur free agent signing |
| May 19, 1988 | Trade | Unnamed | Cincinnati Reds | Chicago Cubs | $ |
| May 19, 1988 | Trade | Pat Perry | Cincinnati Reds | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| May 19, 1988 | Trade | Leon Durham | Chicago Cubs | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| May 17, 1988 | Released | Damaso Garcia | Atlanta Braves | — | Release |
| May 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tito Landrum | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| May 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jerry Royster | — | Atlanta Braves | Free agent signing |
| May 14, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Skeeter Barnes | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| May 13, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Buckner | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| May 13, 1988 | Released | Brad Havens | Los Angeles Dodgers | — | Release |
| May 13, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rich Monteleone | — | California Angels | Free agent signing |
| May 12, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Crawford | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| May 11, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ron Davis | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| May 11, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dan Firova | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| May 10, 1988 | Released | Chris Chambliss | New York Yankees | — | Release |
| May 10, 1988 | Released | Tito Landrum | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| May 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bryan Oelkers | — | Montreal Expos | Free agent signing |
| May 9, 1988 | Released | Bill Buckner | California Angels | — | Release |
| May 9, 1988 | Released | Rich Monteleone | Seattle Mariners | — | Release |
| May 7, 1988 | Released | Skeeter Barnes | Pittsburgh Pirates | — | Release |
| May 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Chris Chambliss | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| May 5, 1988 | Released | Lary Sorensen | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| May 4, 1988 | Released | Joe Niekro | Minnesota Twins | — | Release |
| May 3, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Butch Davis | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| May 2, 1988 | Signed | Juan Castillo | — | New York Mets | Amateur free agent signing |
| May 2, 1988 | Released | Scott McGregor | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| May 2, 1988 | Released | Bill Scherrer | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| May 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ray Chadwick | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Apr 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mark Ryal | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Apr 28, 1988 | Released | Steve Carlton | Minnesota Twins | — | Release |
| Apr 28, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Larry Carter | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| Apr 22, 1988 | Trade | Tom Herr | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Apr 22, 1988 | Trade | Tom Brunansky | Minnesota Twins | St. Louis Cardinals | Trade |
| Apr 21, 1988 | Released | Tippy Martinez | Minnesota Twins | — | Release |
| Apr 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Lary Sorensen | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Apr 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rick Cerone | — | Boston Red Sox | Free agent signing |
| Apr 14, 1988 | Signed | Pedro Castellano | — | Chicago Cubs | Amateur free agent signing |
| Apr 13, 1988 | Trade | Tim Hulett | Chicago White Sox | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Apr 12, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tito Landrum | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Apr 12, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Alex Trevino | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Apr 10, 1988 | Signed | Ramon Caraballo | — | Atlanta Braves | Amateur free agent signing |
| Apr 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Mason | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Apr 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ed Vande Berg | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Apr 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Doug Bair | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Free agent signing |
| Apr 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jon Perlman | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Apr 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Frank Wills | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Free agent signing |
| Apr 6, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tom Gilles | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Apr 6, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Garland Kiser | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Apr 6, 1988 | Trade | Dave Sax | Texas Rangers | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Apr 6, 1988 | Trade | Bill Merrifield | Pittsburgh Pirates | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Apr 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | John Moses | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Apr 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ray Searage | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Apr 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mickey Tettleton | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Apr 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Winn | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Apr 5, 1988 | Trade | Greg LaFever | Cleveland Indians | Los Angeles Dodgers | Trade |
| Apr 5, 1988 | Trade | Reggie Williams | Los Angeles Dodgers | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Apr 4, 1988 | Released | Rick Cerone | New York Yankees | — | Release |
| Apr 4, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Pete Filson | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Apr 4, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Guy Hoffman | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Apr 4, 1988 | Released | Tito Landrum | Los Angeles Dodgers | — | Release |
| Apr 4, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tippy Martinez | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Apr 4, 1988 | Released | Jerry Royster | New York Yankees | — | Release |
| Apr 4, 1988 | Released | Alex Trevino | Los Angeles Dodgers | — | Release |
| Apr 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dickie Noles | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Apr 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Greg Harris | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Apr 1, 1988 | Trade | Bill Landrum | Cincinnati Reds | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Apr 1, 1988 | Trade | Luis Quinones | Chicago Cubs | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Apr 1, 1988 | Trade | John Gibbons | New York Mets | Los Angeles Dodgers | Trade |
| Apr 1, 1988 | Trade | Craig Shipley | Los Angeles Dodgers | New York Mets | Trade |
| Mar 31, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bernardo Brito | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Mar 31, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Angel Salazar | — | Chicago Cubs | Free agent signing |
| Mar 31, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Trujillo | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Mar 31, 1988 | Trade | Mike Curtis | Chicago Cubs | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Mar 31, 1988 | Trade | Mike Bielecki | Pittsburgh Pirates | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Mar 31, 1988 | Trade | Joe Klink | Minnesota Twins | Oakland Athletics | Trade |
| Mar 30, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rick Dempsey | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Mar 30, 1988 | Trade | Orestes Destrade | New York Yankees | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Mar 30, 1988 | Trade | Hipolito Peña | Pittsburgh Pirates | New York Yankees | Trade |
| Mar 30, 1988 | Trade | Ted Milner | California Angels | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Mar 30, 1988 | Trade | Junior Noboa | Cleveland Indians | California Angels | Trade |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | Pete Filson | New York Yankees | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | Guy Hoffman | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | Garland Kiser | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | John Moses | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | Jon Perlman | San Francisco Giants | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jerry Reuss | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | Mark Ryal | California Angels | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | Ed Vande Berg | Texas Rangers | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Released | Frank Wills | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Trade | Wade Rowdon | Chicago Cubs | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Trade | Nick Ramirez | Baltimore Orioles | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Mar 29, 1988 | Trade | Tom Michno | Baltimore Orioles | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Released | Chris Bushing | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Released | Angel Salazar | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Released | Lary Sorensen | Cincinnati Reds | — | Release |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Released | Mickey Tettleton | Oakland Athletics | — | Release |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Released | Mike Trujillo | Seattle Mariners | — | Release |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Trade | Jeff Dedmon | Atlanta Braves | Cleveland Indians | Trade |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Trade | Karl Best | Detroit Tigers | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Mar 28, 1988 | Trade | Don Schulze | Minnesota Twins | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Mar 26, 1988 | Released | Doug Bair | Philadelphia Phillies | — | Release |
| Mar 26, 1988 | Trade | Mackey Sasser | Pittsburgh Pirates | New York Mets | Trade |
| Mar 26, 1988 | Trade | Tim Drummond | Pittsburgh Pirates | New York Mets | Trade |
| Mar 26, 1988 | Trade | Randy Milligan | New York Mets | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Mar 26, 1988 | Trade | Scott Henion | New York Mets | Pittsburgh Pirates | Trade |
| Mar 25, 1988 | Released | Bernardo Brito | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Mar 25, 1988 | Released | Jerry Hairston | Chicago White Sox | — | Release |
| Mar 25, 1988 | Released | Ray Searage | Chicago White Sox | — | Release |
| Mar 25, 1988 | Released | Jim Winn | Chicago White Sox | — | Release |
| Mar 25, 1988 | Trade | Mike Loynd | Texas Rangers | Houston Astros | Trade |
| Mar 25, 1988 | Trade | Robbie Wine | Houston Astros | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Mar 24, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Sal Butera | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Free agent signing |
| Mar 24, 1988 | Released | Greg Harris | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Mar 24, 1988 | Trade | Billy Beane | Minnesota Twins | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Mar 24, 1988 | Trade | Balvino Galvez | Detroit Tigers | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Mar 23, 1988 | Released | Chris Beasley | Seattle Mariners | — | Release |
| Mar 23, 1988 | Released | Jackie Gutierrez | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Mar 23, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mark Huismann | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Mar 23, 1988 | Trade | Charlie Corbell | San Francisco Giants | Oakland Athletics | Trade |
| Mar 23, 1988 | Trade | Rod Beck | Oakland Athletics | San Francisco Giants | Trade |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Released | Mike Mason | Chicago Cubs | — | Release |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Trade | Mike Young | Baltimore Orioles | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Trade | Rick Schu | Philadelphia Phillies | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Trade | Jeff Stone | Philadelphia Phillies | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Trade | Keith Hughes | Philadelphia Phillies | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Trade | Bill Almon | New York Mets | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Trade | Shawn Barton | Philadelphia Phillies | New York Mets | Trade |
| Mar 21, 1988 | Trade | Vladimir Perez | Philadelphia Phillies | New York Mets | Trade |
| Mar 20, 1988 | Signed | Hector Carrasco | — | New York Mets | Amateur free agent signing |
| Mar 20, 1988 | Released | Tom Gilles | Kansas City Royals | — | Release |
| Mar 19, 1988 | Released | Ron Davis | Los Angeles Dodgers | — | Release |
| Mar 19, 1988 | Trade | Rod Scurry | San Francisco Giants | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Mar 18, 1988 | Released | Sal Butera | Minnesota Twins | — | Release |
| Mar 17, 1988 | Released | Mark Huismann | Cleveland Indians | — | Release |
| Mar 17, 1988 | Trade | Dave Meier | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Mar 17, 1988 | Trade | Greg Tabor | Texas Rangers | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Mar 17, 1988 | Trade | Ray Hayward | Chicago Cubs | Texas Rangers | Trade |
| Mar 12, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Lonnie Smith | — | Atlanta Braves | Free agent signing |
| Mar 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ernie Camacho | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Mar 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Henderson | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Mar 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Glenn Hoffman | — | Boston Red Sox | Free agent signing |
| Mar 10, 1988 | Signed | Manny Martinez | — | Oakland Athletics | Amateur free agent signing |
| Mar 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tony Phillips | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Mar 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Otis Nixon | — | Montreal Expos | Free agent signing |
| Mar 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Wilson | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| Mar 1988 | Released | Jay Baller | Chicago Cubs | — | Release |
| Mar 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jay Baller | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| Mar 1988 | Released | Bryan Clark | Minnesota Twins | — | Release |
| Mar 1988 | Released | Max Venable | Baltimore Orioles | — | Release |
| Feb 29, 1988 | Signed | Miguel Batista | — | Montreal Expos | Amateur free agent signing |
| Feb 28, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Terry Francona | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Feb 27, 1988 | Trade | Ray Knight | Baltimore Orioles | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Feb 27, 1988 | Trade | Mark Thurmond | Detroit Tigers | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Feb 25, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jose Cruz | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Feb 24, 1988 | Trade | Doug Baker | Detroit Tigers | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Feb 24, 1988 | Trade | Julius McDougal | Minnesota Twins | Detroit Tigers | Trade |
| Feb 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Chris Codiroli | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Feb 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mark Ross | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Free agent signing |
| Feb 20, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Luis Salazar | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Feb 18, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Balboni | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Feb 18, 1988 | Signed | Johnny Guzman | — | Oakland Athletics | Amateur free agent signing |
| Feb 18, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dickie Thon | — | San Diego Padres | Free agent signing |
| Feb 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jay Baller | — | Chicago Cubs | Free agent signing |
| Feb 17, 1988 | Signed | Alberto Reyes | — | Montreal Expos | Amateur free agent signing |
| Feb 17, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Frank Tanana | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Feb 16, 1988 | Trade | Jay Tibbs | Montreal Expos | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Feb 16, 1988 | Trade | Al Cardwood | Montreal Expos | Baltimore Orioles | Trade |
| Feb 16, 1988 | Trade | John Hoover | Baltimore Orioles | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Feb 16, 1988 | Trade | Doug Cinnella | Baltimore Orioles | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Feb 16, 1988 | Trade | Rick Carriger | Baltimore Orioles | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Feb 15, 1988 | Trade | Van Snider | Kansas City Royals | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Feb 15, 1988 | Trade | Jeff Montgomery | Cincinnati Reds | Kansas City Royals | Trade |
| Feb 12, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Larry McWilliams | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Feb 12, 1988 | Trade | Rich Gossage | San Diego Padres | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Feb 12, 1988 | Trade | Ray Hayward | San Diego Padres | Chicago Cubs | Trade |
| Feb 12, 1988 | Trade | Keith Moreland | Chicago Cubs | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Feb 12, 1988 | Trade | Mike Brumley | Chicago Cubs | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Feb 11, 1988 | Trade | Joel McKeon | Chicago White Sox | San Diego Padres | Trade |
| Feb 11, 1988 | Trade | Marty Pevey | St. Louis Cardinals | Montreal Expos | Trade |
| Feb 11, 1988 | Trade | Bob Sudo | Montreal Expos | St. Louis Cardinals | Trade |
| Feb 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Dawley | — | Philadelphia Phillies | Free agent signing |
| Feb 10, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Eddie Milner | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Don Baylor | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tom Brookens | — | Detroit Tigers | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Carlton Fisk | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ron Kittle | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave LaPoint | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Donnie Moore | — | California Angels | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Joe Niekro | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave Rucker | — | Pittsburgh Pirates | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dan Schatzeder | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Butch Wynegar | — | California Angels | Free agent signing |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Trade | Unnamed | St. Louis Cardinals | Chicago White Sox | $ |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Trade | Ricky Horton | St. Louis Cardinals | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Trade | Lance Johnson | St. Louis Cardinals | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Feb 9, 1988 | Trade | Jose DeLeon | Chicago White Sox | St. Louis Cardinals | Trade |
| Feb 6, 1988 | Signed | Cesar Devarez | — | Baltimore Orioles | Amateur free agent signing |
| Feb 5, 1988 | Trade | Freddie Toliver | Philadelphia Phillies | Minnesota Twins | Trade |
| Feb 5, 1988 | Trade | Chris Calvert | Minnesota Twins | Philadelphia Phillies | Trade |
| Feb 4, 1988 | Signed | Manny Alexander | — | Baltimore Orioles | Amateur free agent signing |
| Feb 4, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Charlie Lea | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Feb 3, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Tim Laudner | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Feb 3, 1988 | Signed | Doug Piatt | — | Cleveland Indians | Amateur free agent signing |
| Feb 3, 1988 | Trade | Dave Cochrane | Kansas City Royals | Seattle Mariners | Trade |
| Feb 3, 1988 | Trade | Ken Spratke | Seattle Mariners | Kansas City Royals | Trade |
| Feb 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ravelo Manzanillo | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Feb 2, 1988 | Released | Larry McWilliams | Texas Rangers | — | Release |
| Feb 2, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ed Vande Berg | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Feb 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Domingo Ramos | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Feb 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Duane Walker | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Feb 1988 | Signed as free agent | Max Venable | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Jan 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rich Bordi | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Jan 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Carlton | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Jan 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Kirk Gibson | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Jan 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ron Oester | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Jan 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jose Segura | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Jan 29, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Weaver | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Jan 28, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Phil Garner | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| Jan 27, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Juan Eichelberger | — | Atlanta Braves | Free agent signing |
| Jan 27, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bob Forsch | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Jan 27, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Scherrer | — | Baltimore Orioles | Free agent signing |
| Jan 26, 1988 | Signed | Graeme Lloyd | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jan 25, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Juan Beniquez | — | Toronto Blue Jays | Free agent signing |
| Jan 25, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jamie Quirk | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Jan 24, 1988 | Signed | Roberto Rivera | — | Cleveland Indians | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jan 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jeff Bittiger | — | Chicago White Sox | Free agent signing |
| Jan 22, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Stew Cliburn | — | California Angels | Free agent signing |
| Jan 20, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave Hostetler | — | Pittsburgh Pirates | Free agent signing |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Greg Harris | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Released | Steve Howe | Texas Rangers | — | Release |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Steve Kemp | — | Texas Rangers | Free agent signing |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Signed as free agent | John Moses | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Signed as free agent | John Rabb | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ronn Reynolds | — | Milwaukee Brewers | Free agent signing |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Trade | Darrell Pruitt | Chicago White Sox | Cincinnati Reds | Trade |
| Jan 19, 1988 | Trade | Carl Willis | Cincinnati Reds | Chicago White Sox | Trade |
| Jan 18, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jim Adduci | — | Milwaukee Brewers | Free agent signing |
| Jan 18, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Mike Smithson | — | Boston Red Sox | Free agent signing |
| Jan 18, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Lary Sorensen | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Jan 18, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Kelvin Torve | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Jan 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | John Candelaria | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Jan 15, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Rick Rodriguez | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Jan 14, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Orlando Mercado | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Jan 11, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Brian Giles | — | Seattle Mariners | Free agent signing |
| Jan 11, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Glenn Hubbard | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Jan 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Almon | — | New York Mets | Free agent signing |
| Jan 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Larry Andersen | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Jan 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Joaquin Andujar | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Jan 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Danny Darwin | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Jan 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Atlee Hammaker | — | San Francisco Giants | Free agent signing |
| Jan 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dave Smith | — | Houston Astros | Free agent signing |
| Jan 8, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Paul Zuvella | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Jan 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Gary Gaetti | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Jan 7, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Charlie Leibrandt | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Jan 7, 1988 | Signed | Carlos Perez | — | Montreal Expos | Amateur free agent signing |
| Jan 6, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Jack Clark | — | New York Yankees | Free agent signing |
| Jan 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Thad Bosley | — | Kansas City Royals | Free agent signing |
| Jan 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Sal Butera | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Jan 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Dennis Lamp | — | Boston Red Sox | Free agent signing |
| Jan 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Paul Molitor | — | Milwaukee Brewers | Free agent signing |
| Jan 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Ron Roenicke | — | Cincinnati Reds | Free agent signing |
| Jan 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Matt Sinatro | — | Oakland Athletics | Free agent signing |
| Jan 5, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Don Sutton | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Jan 4, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Brian Harper | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| Jan 4, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bob Horner | — | St. Louis Cardinals | Free agent signing |
| Jan 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Krueger | — | Los Angeles Dodgers | Free agent signing |
| Jan 1, 1988 | Signed as free agent | Bill Laskey | — | Cleveland Indians | Free agent signing |
| Jan 1988 | Signed as free agent | Vic Rodriguez | — | Minnesota Twins | Free agent signing |
| before the 1988 season | Released | Ray Chadwick | California Angels | — | Release |
Every row is mapped onto the same trade / signing / release vocabulary the modern feed uses, with the era’s own type description kept on each row. Club names are the names of the day (the Boston Braves years, the Brooklyn Dodgers years), and each links to the franchise it is today. Some dates are only partially known or flagged approximate by the source; they are shown exactly as published, never completed to a fake precise day.