MLB Player News

Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $7.9 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Guerrero will earn a strong figure in his first year of arbitration eligibility after making about $605,000 during 2021. He'll remain at first base for Toronto this season after breaking out with a 1.002 OPS, 48 homers and 111 RBI last year.

Cooper signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Cooper hit a strong .284/.380/.465 last season in 250 plate appearances but again faces questions about his playing time after the Marlins brought in Jorge Soler as their primary designated hitter.

Diaz and the Rays avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.8 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Diaz gets a nice raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. While the 30-year-old still hasn't developed much power, hitting a modest 13 homers last season, his control of the zone helped him to a 111 wRC+, the product of a .256/.354/.387 slash line.

Naylor (lower leg) and the Guardians agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.2 million contract to avoid arbitration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Naylor is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from July 3 surgery to address fractures and ligament damage in his right leg, but he's not expected to be cleared for Opening Day. Once he completes his rehab program and is able to play a few games in the minor leagues, Naylor should eventually settle into a strong-side platoon role for the Guardians at either corner-outfield spot, first base or designated hitter. Before sustaining the season-ending leg injury, Naylor supplied a .700 OPS in 249 plate appearances for Cleveland in 2021.

Voit and the Padres avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.45 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

The 31-year-old will remain under team control through the end of the 2024 season, as he didn't debut until his age-26 season and didn't become a full-time player until two years later. He should fill a major role at the heart of the Padres' lineup this season for as long as he can remain healthy, primarily serving as the designated hitter while potentially taking over for Eric Hosmer at first base against lefties.

Hoskins and the Phillies agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $7.7 million contract to avoid arbitration, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins will receive just shy of a $3 million salary increase coming off a 2021 season in which he slashed .247/.334/.530 with 27 home runs, 71 RBI, 64 runs and three stolen bases over 443 plate appearances. His season ended in late August after he required core-muscle surgery, but Hoskins appears to be back to full strength at spring training.

O'Hearn signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

O'Hearn is expected to serve in a utility role with time at first base, right field and designated hitter in 2022. The 28-year-old posted a mediocre .225/.268/.369 slash line with nine home runs, 29 RBI and 23 runs scored in 84 games last season.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he's been impressed with Torkelson's defense at first base, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears that Torkelson won't be playing third base anymore and will focus entirely on first. So far, the results have been promising. "First base defense has always been overlooked until you see a good one, and then you see how that can impact an entire infield," Hinch said. While fantasy managers may prefer that Torkelson pick up additional eligibility, they won't complain if his strong play at first helps him make his MLB debut sooner rather than later. The 22-year-old has a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster, but even if he doesn't, he should still see plenty of action in the majors this season.

Wade went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Rockies.

Wade became a key part of the Giants' offense last season with 18 home runs, 56 RBI and 52 runs scored in 109 games. He also slashed .253/.326/.482 across 381 plate appearances. Manager Gabe Kapler often deploys platoons around the diamond, and Wade is likely to see the strong side of one in right field this season. He's also able to play in the other two outfield positions and at first base, but he probably won't be an everyday option since he hit just .135 in 37 at-bats versus lefties last year.

Guerrero went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 23-year-old slugger pulverized an Aaron Nola offering to left-center field in the first inning. Guerrero tied for the major-league lead in homers last season with 48 and finished tied for sixth with 111 RBI to go along with his stellar .311/.401/.601 slash line, and he appears on track to be ready to keep raking Opening Day in the heart of Toronto's potent lineup.