5 Bombshell MLB Deals That Went Down During Thanksgiving Weekend

While most of the world is off eating turkey and baking pies, MLB executives are generally on the phone 'round the clock, trying to alter their teams' fates. No days off. As Thanksgiving rolls by and teams scramble in the market, searching for wins to add, these still remain the five biggest deals ever to go down during the holiday weekend.

5. Red Sox Re-Sign Mike Lowell

The Red Sox clearly like to act fast, as the recent World Series champions decided to re-sign their World Series MVP in 2007 shortly after his heroics. Lowell signed a three-year, $37.5 million deal that gave Boston two more solid years, before a backslide in 2010 led to the third baseman's retirement. Though he never quite got back to 2007 near-MVP status again, he had such a strong impact on the World Series run that he is remembered very fondly in Boston.

4. Curt Schilling Traded to Red Sox

Another piece of the Red Sox championship picture, Schilling was an absolute steal for the Red Sox in the 2003 offseason. He was an instant factor, winning 21 games his first season, and capturing the iconic Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees. Notably, he was pitching on an severely injured ankle. He would contribute greatly to Red Sox titles in 2004 and 2007.

3. Victor Martinez Signs With the Tigers

Martinez spent a few months with the Red Sox, then returned to the AL Central to play with the Detroit Tigers after the 2010 season. The move resulted in importing a cornerstone of the Tigers' organization in the decade to come, where Martinez amassed 115 home runs and 540 RBIs, as well as an MVP runner-up finish and Silver Slugger nod in 2014.

2. Marlins and Red Sox Exchange Josh Beckett for Hanley Ramirez

Seeing two players of such caliber changing sides is quite rare in the world of Major League Baseball, and it is easy to say that the Red Sox won this one, as Beckett posted a 3.27 ERA to go with 20 wins, and he was sensational in the postseason, posting a 1.20 ERA over 30 innings. However, Hanley Ramirez gave the Marlins significant return, posting six straight stellar seasons at shortstop, including an NL Rookie of the Year award, for a non-contender. Also part of this deal? Anibal Sanchez heading to Miami, and Mike Lowell going to Boston.

1. Josh Donaldson Gets Traded to Blue Jays

In order to avoid the massive contract the MVP-caliber third baseman would eventually pursue, the A's flipped him ahead of schedule for a package that included Brett Lawrie. However, Donaldson proved to be worth his weight in gold, winning an MVP trophy in 2015, and back-to-back Silver Slugger awards in 2015 and 2016.