MLB Player News

Mountcastle signed a one-year, $4.1 million deal with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Mountcastle has developed into a steady player, posting a slugging percentage above .450 in three of his four big-league seasons. He may lose some playing time in 2024 due to the depth in the Orioles' lineup, but he projects to regularly serve as the team's designated hitter or first baseman.

Naylor signed a one-year, $6.6 million deal with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Naylor has improved across each of the last three seasons, and he posted an impressive .308/.354/.489 line across 495 plate appearances in 2023. He could sit occasionally against lefties, but he otherwise should be locked in as Cleveland's primary first baseman in 2024.

Kirilloff (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Twins on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff had minor offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training. He should be in line for at least the strong side of a platoon in 2024, but Kirilloff has averaged just 64 games per season since he debuted in 2021, so durability is the primary concern for the 26-year-old.

Alonso signed a one-year, $20.5 million contract with the Mets on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Alonso is in the final year of arbitration eligibility and saw his salary jump $6 million from 2023. He's proven to be one of the most consistent power producers across five full seasons in the majors, reaching 40 homers in each of the last two campaigns and three times overall. Assuming he and the Mets don't agree to an extension, Alonso will hit free agency next offseason.

The Diamondbacks and Walker avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.9 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a nice raise for the first baseman in what was his final year of arbitration eligibility. Walker struggled in the postseason for Arizona but had another terrific regular season, slugging 30-plus home runs for the second year in a row while reaching the 100-RBI mark for the first time.

France signed a one-year, $6.775 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

France receives a $2.675 million salary increase after slashing .250/.337/.366 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI last season -- his worst numbers since joining the Mariners in 2020. He remains in position to serve as Seattle's everyday first baseman, but he will need to bounce back at the plate in order to reattain his former fantasy value.

The White Sox and Vaughn avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It was Vaughn's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old has yet to break out for the White Sox but did set career highs with 21 home runs and 81 RBI in 2023. He'll be looking to take another step forward in 2024.

Gittens signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Dec. 21.

Gittens left the States after the 2021 campaign to pursue a career in Japan and has slashed .299/.426/.493 in two seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Rakuten Golden Eagles. He'll compete for a spot on Houston's bench in the spring, but Triple-A Sugar Land seems to be Gittens' likely destination for Opening Day.

The Angels claimed Rivas off waivers from Cleveland on Friday.

Rivas will switch teams for the second time this winter after being claimed and later DFA'd by the Guardians earlier in the offseason. The 27-year-old Rivas will compete with Nolan Schanuel for reps at first base during spring training after slashing .229/.303/.422 with 15 RBI across 123 plate appearances last season.

The Guardians designated Rivas for assignment Friday.

Rivas was pushed off the 40-man roster in order to clear room for Austin Hedges, who officially signed with the Guardians on Friday. Rivas slashed .229/.303/.422 across 123 plate appearances with the Pirates and Padres last season, and he could potentially attract interest on the waiver wire from teams looking for depth at first base.