MLB Player News

Semien agreed to a one-year, $13 million deal with the A's on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

This is his third and final year as an arbitration-eligible player before heading to free agency. He will be Oakland's second-highest paid player, behind Khris Davis ($16.75 million in 2020).

Drury signed a one-year, $2.05 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The 27-year-old had a subpar season at the plate last season as he slashed .218/.262/.380 with 15 home runs over 120 games with the Blue Jays. Although his production in 2019 was discouraging, Drury's defensive versatility allows him to see a fair share of playing time.

Haggerty was released by the Mets on Wednesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Haggerty was designated for assignment when the Mets signed Dellin Betances (Achilles) in late December. Haggerty got into the first 11 big-league games of his career last season but went hitless with three strikeouts in his four trips to the plate.

Tomlinson signed a minor-league deal with Colorado on Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Tomlinson has parts of four years of big-league experience to his name, though he hasn't done much of note. In 687 career plate appearances for the Giants from 2015 to 2018, he hit a modest .265/.331/.332 with three homers. He endured a difficult 2019 campaign, hitting just .242/.301/.301 in 99 Triple-A games in the Diamondbacks' and Mariners' systems.

Haggerty was designated for assignment by the Mets on Tuesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old made his major-league debut in September, but he went 0-for-4 with two runs as he appeared in 11 games. Haggerty was effective in the minors last year, hitting .271/.376/.387 with three home runs and 23 stolen bases, so it's certainly possible that another team could pick him up off waivers. Dellin Betances (Achilles) took Haggerty's place on the 40-man roster.

Merrifield will likely take over as the Royals' primary center fielder in 2020, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The Royals signed Maikel Franco on Thursday, so Hunter Dozier is likely to transition to a role in right field with Merrifield taking over the duties in center field. The 30-year-old's defensive versatility will also likely allow him to shift to different positions during the season if injuries should occur.

The Red Sox selected Arauz with the 10th pick of the Rule 5 draft.

Of all the prospects taken in the Rule 5 draft, Arauz has been on the prospect radar the longest. A 21-year-old infielder who saw time at shortstop, second base and third base last year in the Astros' organization, Arauz held his own in a repeat trip to High-A (107 wRC+), but he was less successful after getting the bump to Double-A (.241/.311/.389, 97 wRC+). His defensive versatility likely appealed to the Red Sox, but he will have to impress in spring training or he will probably be offered back to Houston.

Rodriguez was claimed off waivers by the Brewers on Monday.

Rodriguez's primary value in 84 games for the Tigers last season came through playing five different positions, as he offered very little at the plate, hitting just .221/.252/.438. He does have enough power to potentially be useful if he wins a bench role, though he may not get on base often enough to win a roster spot, depending on what other moves the Brewers make this winter.

Edwards was traded from the Padres to the Rays on Thursday along with Hunter Renfroe in exchange for Tommy Pham, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Prospect Jake Cronenworth was later reported to be included with Pham in the move to the Padres.

Edwards finished the 2019 season with High-A Lake Elsinore, slashing .301/.349/.367 with 13 RBI and 14 stolen bases over 46 contests. Though he's not a threat to leave the yard, his speed and ability to hit for average earned him the No. 5 spot in the Padres' farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Edwards begin the year at Double-A Montgomery.

Herrera signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Herrera spent 2019 with Triple-A Syracuse, but he opted out of his deal in September after recording a .831 OPS with 24 home runs over 117 games. The 25-year-old has appeared in the majors in three seasons, but he has failed to make much of an impact during his opportunities. If he has success in the Orioles' minor-league system, it wouldn't be surprising to see Herrera spend some time with the major-league club in 2020.