Pitcher Tomo (Tomokazu) Ohka was obtained by the Boston Red Sox from Japan’s Yokohama Bay Stars. His right’s were ‘purchased’ by the Sox, but there was no purchase at all. People in the Bay Star’s front office had positive dealings with the Sox in the past & Ohka was given to them as a gift.
Turns out it wasn’t the best gift the Sox ever got. He was shipped out to the Expos (I think he’s on the Nats now) and remains a mediocre pitcher at best.