MLB Player News

Singleton is out of minor-league options and could have the first chance on the big-league roster as a result, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Singleton had a standout game in which he hit two home runs and drove in five on Aug. 11, but his 105-plate appearance sample in the majors last year was otherwise unproductive. He maintained just a .165/.267/.264 line, though his 0.57 BB/K and .194 BABIP suggest he may have deserved better results. Singleton's most direct competition for a spot on the roster is likely to be the recently acquired Trey Cabbage.

Guerrero will make $19.9 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration case against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's the largest salary ever awarded by an arbitration panel, although the amount falls well short of the $31 million deal Juan Soto reached with the Yankees in January to avoid arbitration. Guerrero's numbers dropped in nearly every statistical category last season compared to the marks he set in 2022, but the slugging first baseman will receive a $5.4 million raise nonetheless. Guerrero remains a high-value fantasy asset, but his stellar 2021 campaign is beginning to look more like an anomaly than a season off which we should base expectations.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns indicated in an interview with Foul Territory on Wednesday that he does not expect to sign Alonso to a contract extension prior to the first baseman reaching free agency next offseason.

Stearns did say that he's hopeful the two sides will eventually be able to work something out, but it doesn't sound like either party anticipates that happening before the end of the season. Alonso, for what it's worth, hired Scott Boras as his agent earlier this offseason. The 29-year-old slugger will make $20.5 million in 2024 before hitting the open market next winter.

With January trade addition Michael Busch likely to play first base, per Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com, Mervis may have to settle for a bench role to begin the season.

Busch is not considered a great defender, but the team seems to want his slugging bat in the lineup, which could come at the expense of Mervis at first base. Mervis and Busch are young players with some upside, though both struggled during their respective MLB debuts last season, with strikeouts a key problem for each player. The situation at first appears to be fluid, but for now consider the outlook for Mervis to be somewhat dampened by the arrival of Busch.

Santana signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Twins on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Last season marked Santana's best year at the plate since 2019, as he slashed .240/.318/.429 with 23 homers and 86 RBI between the Pirates and Brewers. The 37-year-old gives the Twins an experienced option in the first base/DH mix alongside younger players Alex Kirilloff (shoulder), Trevor Larnach and Jose Miranda (shoulder).

Kirilloff (shoulder) is on track for live at-bats in February and hopes to be game-ready when the Twins' spring training schedule begins, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff underwent surgery in October to repair the labrum in his right shoulder, but the operation wound up being less invasive than initially expected. He began hitting in January and has been ramping things up of late. Kirilloff projects as the starting first baseman assuming he's ready to roll Opening Day, but nothing is assured given his history of health issues.

The Cardinals claimed Rivas off waivers from the Angels on Monday.

Even though spring training games are still about three weeks away, Rivas has already been well traveled this offseason. After being booted off the Pirates' 40-man roster shortly following the regular season, Rivas has been claimed and waived by both the Guardians and Angels before catching on with St. Louis on Monday. The Cardinals cleared room on the 40-man roster for Rivas by designating outfielder Moises Gomez for assignment, but the 27-year-old first baseman could be at risk of being cut once again if St. Louis needs to open up another roster spot at any point in the near future. Even though he was frequently shielded against left-handed pitching this past season, the lefty-hitting Rivas still finished with an unremarkable .229/.303/.422 slash line over 123 big-league plate appearances between the Padres and Pirates.

Hoskins (knee) said Monday that he expects to be full-go at the beginning of spring training, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hoskins missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his left ACL during spring training, but he was close to being cleared to return during the postseason for the Phillies and should head into his first camp with the Brewers with no lingering limitations. Slated to turn 31 in March, Hoskins is set to be Milwaukee's regular first baseman in 2024 but should also see ample time at designated hitter.

Padlo signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Padlo was in the Angels organization in 2023, going 1-for-8 at the plate during his brief time with the big club and posting an .835 OPS with 13 homers at Triple-A Salt Lake. The 27-year-old is likely headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he'll represent infield depth.

Walsh signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Walsh had a breakout 2021 campaign when he slugged 29 home runs and made the All-Star team. Since then, though, he's managed a lowly .613 OPS and 32.1 percent strikeout rate across 572 plate appearances at the major-league level. The 30-year-old will compete for a reserve role with the Rangers but almost surely will report to Triple-A Round Rock to start 2024 as he looks to get his career back on track.