MLB Player News

Biggio signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Biggio has been a disappointment at the plate two years running with back-to-back sub-.700 OPS seasons. His versatility is appealing, though, and he looks to be in line for a super-utility role again in 2023.

Espinal and the Blue Jays agreed on a one-year, $2.1 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 28-year-old infielder busted onto the scene in 2022, batting .267 with seven homers, 51 RBI, 51 runs and six stolen bases over 135 games in a season during which he made his first All Star team. Espinal will likely operate as a utility option in 2023 with Whit Merrifield expected to be the Jays' primary second baseman, and he could start at multiple spots across the infield.

Lopez signed a one-year, $3.7 million contract with the Royals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

A case could have been made for Lopez to be a non-tender candidate after he had one of the worst seasons at the plate as a regular in recent memory with a .227/.281/.273 batting line in 2022. However, he's still excellent defensively and the Royals will hope he can regain his form from 2021 when he slashed .300/.365/.378. Lopez is slated to compete with Michael Massey for playing time at second base and offers depth at third behind the perpetually injured Adalberto Mondesi (knee).

Ibanez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

Ibanez was claimed off waivers by Detroit in November but won't stick on the 40-man roster through the offseason. The 29-year-old appeared in 40 games for the Rangers last season and had a .218/.273/.277 slash line.

Chavis signed a one-year minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The deal does not include a roster invite for spring training, so Chavis will have to prove himself in the minors before getting a potential call-up during the season. The 27-year-old struggled to a .229/.265/.389 slash line over 401 at-bats last year with the Pirates, producing 14 home runs, 49 RBI, 39 runs and one stolen base while appearing in 129 games. Considering the lack of star power on the Nationals' roster, Chavis should have a shot at the big-league level at some point this summer.

Mendick (knee) signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Mendick was somewhat surprisingly non-tendered by the White Sox last month but has managed to land a big-league deal with the Mets. The 29-year-old had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee back in June and it's not clear whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

Drury agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract with the Angels on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old split the 2022 campaign between Cincinnati and San Diego, and he earned the inaugural Silver Slugger for a utility player with a .263/.320/.492 slash line, 28 home runs and 87 RBI in 138 games. Luis Rengifo enjoyed a mini breakout with a .723 OPS in 2022, but Drury could now be the favorite to start at second base. Drury should see action at both infield corners, especially given third baseman Anthony Rendon playing fewer than 60 games in each of the past two seasons.

The Dodgers acquired Hernandez from the Athletics for cash considerations Thursday.

Hernandez was ineffective in 28 plate appearances this past season, managing two singles and a .154 OBP. He struggled in 2021 with the Rangers, too, so he figures to provide organizational depth for the Dodgers.

The Orioles signed Frazier to a one-year, $8 million contract Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Frazier's poor contract year with the Mariners, in which he posted a career-worst .612 OPS in 156 games, results in a modest free-agent deal. The 31-year-old figures to get regular playing time in Baltimore and plenty of opportunities to return to his 2021 form. In that season he slashed .305/.368/.411 with the Pirates and Padres. Frazier also provides a bit of value on the bases, as he's stolen 21 bases over the last two seasons.

The Reds have no plans to move India (foot) off second base, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "(India) was in Cincinnati last weekend running sprints, and he looked better than he did the entire year last year," manager David Bell said. "He's a young player. He's plenty athletic. He's determined to kind of maximize his range. In my mind, he's our second baseman right now."

Keep in mind that India was originally a third baseman that was converted into a second baseman during the 2020 season at the Reds' alternate training site. The new anti-shift rules might discourage some players from playing premium defensive positions, but the Reds are committed to keeping India at second base.