MLB Player News

Cooper agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Marlins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Cooper played a career-high 119 games last season and had a .261/.337/.415 slash line with nine home runs and 50 RBI. The 32-year-old should be Miami's Opening Day starter at first base and is entering his final year before free agency.

Rivas signed a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training with the Padres on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rivas was released by the Cubs on Jan. 6 after being designated for assignment and subsequently clearing waivers. He has a .247/.331/.322 line across 336 career plate appearances, all of which have come in Chicago. While first base is a potential weakness in the Padres' lineup, Rivas' potential fit is unclear as both Jake Cronenworth and Matt Carpenter -- two favorites to start at first base -- are also left-handed hitters.

Higgins signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Higgins was designated for assignment by the Cubs in late December and elected free agency Monday after clearing waivers. He was quickly able to find a new team and will serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training in 2023. The 29-year-old appeared in 74 games for the Cubs last year and slashed .229/.310/.383 with six home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs.

Clemens and Gregory Soto were traded from Detroit to Philadelphia on Saturday in exchange for Nick Maton, Matt Vierling and Donny Sands, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Clemens debuted as a 26-year-old last season but struggled significantly in 57 games, hitting just .145/.197/.308. A .148 BABIP undoubtedly accounts for some of his struggles, but his .193 xBA suggests his quality of contact was very poor. It's tough to see him earning significant at-bats on a contender like the Phillies, and he'll need a big step forward to deserve even a bench role.

HIggins cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Higgins had been designated for assignment last week in order to clear a spot on the roster for fellow catcher Tucker Barnhart. He'll remain in the organization.

Smith agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Smith was presumably looking for a landing spot with few obstacles in his path to playing time as he looks to rebuild his career after a pair of down seasons, and he's seemingly found one in Washington. After hitting .299/.366/.571 in 2019 and 2020, he hit just .233/.298/.345 across the past two years. Even a modest bounce-back should be enough to secure him a spot as the Nationals' primary first baseman, but it's far from guaranteed that one is on the cards.

Higgins was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Chicago announced the signing of veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart on Thursday, and Higgins was DFA'd to make room on the roster. Higgins appeared in 74 games during 2022 and had a .229/.310/.383 slash line with six home runs and 30 RBI.

Rivas was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.

Rivas slashed .235/.322/.307 with 25 RBI over 287 plate appearances last season while playing first base in the majority of Chicago's games. As someone who doesn't hit the ball that hard and tends to strike out quite a bit, he may not be suited for a contributing role in the majors, though he has found success in Triple-A. The move comes as a result of the Cubs claiming Anthony Kay off waivers from the Blue Jays.

The Reds will give Steer an extended look at third base to begin the 2023 season, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Steer spent most of his 2022 season, both in the minors and majors, at third base, though he also saw significant time at second base and shortstop during his time in the minors. The Reds seem more committed to Steer, whom they got in the Tyler Mahle trade last season, than they do with Mike Moustakas.

Santana has agreed to a one-year, $6.7 million deal with the Pirates, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Santana played for both the Mariners and Royals during the 2022 season, finishing the year with a .202/.316/.276 slash line. The 31-year-old will be a prime candidate to play DH for Pittsburgh due to his plate discipline and power.