Trade to Angels sparks late-career surge for Winfield

But as a 10-and-5 player (with at least 10 years in the big leagues, including the last five with the same team), Winfield was able to veto any trade. He exercised his rights, holding up the trade until May 16 when he agreed to a new contract with the Angels. The record-setting 10-year, $23 million contract Winfield signed with the Yankees following the 1980 season was set to expire after the 1990 campaign.

During the delay, the Yankees claimed that the Angels were one of seven teams to which Winfield had approved a trade. But Winfield’s position was that agreeing to a trade destination did not abrogate his 10-and-5 rights, a position the Major League Baseball Players Association supported.

“Dave’s position is correct,” Winfield’s agent Jeff Klein told the Associated Press. “He is a 10-and-5 player and has rights under that.”

Winfield left the Yankees during the dispute, which ended when he signed a contract extension that guaranteed him $3.3 million in 1991.

“I feel better since I left (New York),” Winfield told the Los Angeles Times. “I don’t have a gray hair anymore.”

Winfield returned to form with the Angels that summer, batting .275 with 19 homers and 72 RBI in 112 games. In 1991, Winfield played in 150 games – including 115 in the outfield, where he led American League right fielders with a .990 fielding percentage – hitting .262 with 28 home runs and 86 RBI.

But California decided not to pick up the two option years remaining on his contract, and Winfield became a free agent.

“I always push myself,” Winfield told the Los Angeles Times immediately after the trade was finalized.

“No contract or owner pushes harder than I push me.

“I plan to play five more years. I’ll be around for quite a while.”

Winfield signed with the Blue Jays following the 1991 season and assumed a new role as a designated hitter. He hit .290 with 26 homers and 106 RBI in 1992, powering Toronto to the World Series title with his 11th-inning two-run double in Game 6 that gave the Blue Jays the lead in what would be the deciding game of the series against the Braves.

Winfield would play three more seasons, two with the Twins and his final campaign with Cleveland in 1995.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum