MLB Player News

Polanco agreed to a five-year, $25.75 million extension with the Twins on Thursday that includes two option years, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old had a decent season after he served an 80-game suspension, slashing .288/.345/.427 with six homers and seven stolen bases. With youth on his side and good production at the plate, the Twins decided to lock Polanco up for all of his arbitration years and potentially his first three years of free agency. As if it wasn't clear before the extension, Polanco is being considered the Twins' shortstop of the future and will look to expand upon the production from his first full seasons in the majors.

General manager Ross Atkins said Drury will likely begin the season as the starter at third base, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

All things considered, this isn't too surprising. The Blue Jays are fully expected to keep top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the minors until they can get another year of control over him, meaning they need someone to man third base in the interim. Drury will assume those duties for the first few weeks of the season and then presumably move into a reserve infield role for the rest of the season. Drury put up respectable numbers in two seasons with the Diamondbacks in 2016 and 2017 (.275/.323/.453), but his playing time was limited in 2018 while with the Yankees and Blue Jays.

Chavis reported to spring training at 208 pounds, down 14 pounds from his listed weight in 2018, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "I feel faster. I feel more mobile," Chavis said Monday.

Chavis missed about half of the 2018 campaign while serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing substances, finishing with only 194 plate appearances between three minor-league stops. Despite the lost season, Chavis still enters 2019 as Boston's top prospect, though that might be more of an indictment of the organization's lack of high-end minor-league talent than anything else. The fact that the 23-year-old has spent the offseason reshaping his body speaks well to his dedication, but he'll still need to show some pop to go along with some improved bat-to-ball skills at Triple-A Pawtucket before getting an extended look at the big-league level.

Barreto will not report for spring training on time due to visa issues caused by the political unrest in Venezuela, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Barreto, a Venezuela native, is a victim of major visa delays as his home country works through a volatile political climate. Despite this development, the Athletics are still hopeful that the 22-year-old will be back with the team by Feb. 17. More information will likely become available once he's able to get stateside, but as things stand now, this doesn't seem like it will be a long-term issue.

Kemp enters the season with no minor-league options, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Kemp. who started each of the last three seasons in the minors, will be competing in a crowded outfield during spring training. In addition to Kemp, Jake Marisnick, Derek Fisher, Myles Straw and top position prospect Kyle Tucker are in the mix for two backup outfield spots. If the Astros attempt to designate Kemp for assignment in spring training, he'll most certainly be claimed by another team. He was valuable in 2018, having played all three outfield spots while seeing time at second base in 97 games. With super-utility player Marwin Gonzalez no longer around, Kemp's defensive versatility may give him an advantage in making a push for the initial 25-man roster.

The Athletics announced last week that they signed Joseph to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Joseph saw his first MLB action since 2013 last season with the Orioles, appearing in 14 games and going 4-for-18 at the dish. The 30-year-old will compete for a bench gig with Oakland in spring training but will almost certainly open the campaign with Double-A Midland or Triple-A Las Vegas.

The four-year contract extension Merrifield agreed to Sunday with the Royals includes a $10.5 million team option for 2023, Jeff Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Merrifield's deal will guarantee him at least $16.25 million. He'll make $15.5 million over the first four years of the deal and will be due a $750,000 buyout in the event the Royals choose not to exercise the 2023 team option in what would be his age-34 season. The speedster's contract also contains salary escalators in 2021 and 2022 for reaching certain award or plate appearance-based thresholds that would make the deal worth $31.75 million at maximum. It's an extension that works well for both sides, as it gives Merrifield a higher annual salary ceiling while buying out his arbitration years and enables the Royals to retain one of their top performers over the past two seasons at an affordable price.

Merrifield agreed to a four-year, $16.25 million contract extension with the Royals on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Kansas City now has Merrifield locked up until after his three seasons of arbitration. The 30-year-old second baseman finished his second full year in the big leagues with a .304/.367/.438 slash line including 12 homers, 60 RBI and 45 stolen bases in 158 games. Merrifield will aim to piece together another stellar campaign heading into 2019 and could solidify himself as one of the top fantasy options at second base if he manages to pick up where he left off last season.

The Blue Jays announced Saturday that Biggio will be one of their 15 non-roster invitees to big-league spring training, John Lott of The Athletic reports.

Biggio noticed a major boost up in prospect lists in 2018 after a huge season at Double-A New Hampshire. He mashed 55 extra-base hits, stole 20 bases and walked in an astounding 18.2 percent of his plate appearances, with his 100 free passes pacing the Eastern League. The 23-year-old will presumably open the upcoming campaign at Triple-A Buffalo, where he'll look to continue his offensive excellence and showcase some defensive versatility. According to Ben Nicholson-Smith, Biggio has been taking reps in the outfield with the hope of accelerating his arrival to the big leagues. A natural second baseman, Biggio also drew 34 starts at third base and 22 at first base at Double-A last season.

Jones was invited to the Angels' major-league spring training Friday.

Jones reached Double-A Mobile for the first time last season. He hit a mediocre .245/.335/.375 in 48 games at that level, so he'll likely need some more seasoning before he's under serious consideration for a roster spot.