MLB Player News

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.

Montero's contract was purchased by the Cardinals on Wednesday.

The move protects Montero from the Rule 5 draft. He doesn't appear to be close anywhere close to big-league ready, as he struggled to a .188/.235/.317 line in 59 games for Double-A Springfield last 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.

Alonso won the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year award Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alonso broke the rookie home run record during an outstanding 2019 campaign, clubbing 53 home runs while driving in 120 runs over 161 games. He also put together a .260/.358/.583 slash line. Alonso's performance was good enough to earn 29 out of 30 first-place votes.

Naylor hasn't played in the Dominican winter league in over a week due to a right calf and shin strain, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Naylor's leg got caught under him on a fielding play in late October. He hasn't been shut down and hopes to return to action at some point this winter, so it sounds as if the issue isn't currently expected to carry over into spring training.

Abreu was given a qualifying offer by the White Sox on Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Abreu's decision on whether or not to accept the one-year, $17.8 million deal will be tougher than most players who were given the offer Monday, given that the market for a long-term deal for a first baseman heading into his age-33 season may not be too lucrative. The White Sox are now due to receive draft-pick compensation should Abreu sign elsewhere.

Calhoun will become a free agent after the Angels declined his option Monday.

Calhoun bounced back from a poor 2018 campaign to hit .232/.325/.467 with a career-high 33 homers, though that evidently wasn't enough for the Angels to keep him around for $14 million. He'll receive a $1 million buyout as he looks for a new home heading into his age-32 season.

The Cubs exercised Rizzo's (ankle) $16.5 million club option for 2020 on Sunday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The move comes as no surprise with Rizzo finishing 2019 with a .293/.405/.520 slash line, 27 home runs and 94 RBI in 146 games. The 30-year-old suffered an ankle sprain in mid-September and was shut down once Chicago was eliminated from the playoffs, but he initially played through the injury and it shouldn't impact his status for 2020. Rizzo is primed for another season starting at first base in the Windy City.