MLB Player News

Manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that O'Hearn will be under consideration for the Royals' everyday job at first base this spring, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Along with O'Hearn, the Royals are also expected to give Ryan McBroom the chance to battle for the job, while Hunter Dozier and Salvador Perez (elbow) could also see work at the position when they aren't playing third base or catcher, respectively. After a hot start to his big-league career upon being promoted from Triple-A Omaha in the second half of 2018, O'Hearn struggled mightily last season, slashing just .195/.281/.369 with 14 home runs in 370 plate appearances. O'Hearn will at least have the platoon advantage working in his favor in the competition, as McBroom, Dozier and Perez all hit from the right side of the plate.

Abreu and the White Sox agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract Friday.

The veteran first baseman had previously accepted the team's one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer, but the two sides agreed to tear that deal up and find a number that worked for both sides over a longer period. Abreu will make only slightly less than his original deal on an annual basis (though $4 million of the contract is deferred) but will remain in Chicago through the 2022 campaign. The White Sox will get a decent yearly value for a team leader who hit .284 with 33 homers last season, though some regression should be expected over the course of the contract, which covers Abreu's age-33 through age-35 seasons.

White will sign a long-term major-league deal with the Mariners on Monday, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

White will become the latest in a small run of players to receive a major-league contract before making their major-league debut. Typically, such a move is made so that the player can be on the Opening Day roster without service-time considerations taking precedence over on-field performance. White spent the entirety of the 2019 season with Double-A Arkansas but could conceivably have been ready to debut, as he hit .293/.350/.488 with 18 homers in 92 games. Whether he cracks the 25-man roster right away or not, the Mariners are risking very little, as they are reportedly guaranteeing the first baseman just $24 million over six years while securing three additional club options.

Padlo was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Wednesday.

Not only did the Rays protect Padlo from the Rule 5 draft, but they designated Matt Duffy for assignment, largely because Padlo looks like the better option at third base. He hit .290/.400/.595 with nine home runs in 40 games at Triple-A. Padlo strikes out a lot (29.7 K%), but he can handle the hot corner and he has legitimate power and on-base skills. He probably won't break camp on the 25-man roster, but should be heard from at some point in 2020.

Cronenworth was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Wednesday.

This protects him from the Rule 5 draft. A legitimate two-way player, Cronenworth may function as an infielder and relief pitcher for the Rays. He can play all over the infield but is a shortstop by trade. On the mound he throws right-handed. Cronenworth hit .334/.429/.520 with 10 home runs and 12 steals in 88 games at Triple-A and should compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Dalbec's contract was purchased by the Red Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Dalbec was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He'll have a good shot to debut this season but seems to need a little more work at the Triple-A level, as he posted a mediocre .257/.301/.478 slash line (91 wRC+) in 30 games for Pawtucket last season.

Raley was added to the Twins' 40-man roster Wednesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Raley enjoyed his best minor-league season since rookie ball in 2019 with a .302/.362/.516 slash line, so the Twins opted to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The 25-year-old played in only 33 games for Triple-A Rochester after suffering a dislocated tendon in his left ankle in May, but he returned for the final stretch of the MiLB season.

Mountcastle was added to the Orioles' 40-man roster Wednesday.

Mountcastle's .312/.344/.527 with 25 home runs for Triple-A Norfolk in 2019 prompted some speculation that he could make his major-league debut, but he never reached Baltimore's roster. While his addition to the 40-man roster is mainly to shield him from the Rule 5 draft, it wouldn't be entirely surprising if the 22-year-old reached the majors at some point next season.

Gurriel signed a one-year, $8.3 million contract with the Astros on Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Gurriel's previous contract ran through 2021, but he will now avoid arbitration and be eligible to enter free agency at the end of 2020. The 35-year-old had a career-high .884 OPS with 31 home runs and 104 RBI last season.

Abreu accepted a qualifying offer from the White Sox on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 32-year-old will sign a one-year, $17.8 million contract with the White Sox. He'll avoid free agency, where he likely would have faced an uncertain market since he is entering his age-33 season. Abreu hit .284/.330/.503 with 33 home runs and 123 RBI last season.