MLB Player News

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday the trade of third baseman Luis Valbuena to Houston and third-base prospect Kris Bryant's roster situation are "totally independent" of each other.

Hoyer added Mike Olt, Tommy La Stella and Arismendy Alcantara could play at third base until Chicago feels Bryant is ready for the majors.

"We are not going to speed up that clock," Hoyer said, per ESPN.

Bryant, who was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2013 MLB draft, has developed into one of the top prospects in baseball. He hit .325 with 43 home runs and 110 RBI in 138 games in the minors in 2014.

Pirates second baseman Neil Walker has filed for $9 million in arbitration, while first baseman Pedro Alvarez has filed for $5.75 million, MLB.com reports.

Nine Pirates were able to avoid arbitration, but the team has yet to settle on deals with Walker, Alvarez and Vance Worley. Walker was offered $8 million, while Alvarez was offered $5.25 million.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said the team has kept tabs on the progress of first baseman Pedro Alvarez, who missed the final month of the 2014 season with a stress reaction in his left foot. 

"He's making good physical progress," Huntington said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "He's in a good spot and we feel we're going to see that guy who put up (66) home runs over the 2012 and 2013 seasons."

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado by all means had a productive second season in the majors in 2014. Aside from winning his second Gold Glove award, Arenado also hit .287 with a .500 slugging percentage, .828 OPS, 18 home runs, 34 doubles and 61 RBI -- all career highs.

Still, Arenado isn't satisfied. The 23-year-old third baseman and rising star is looking to do more.

"I've got to get better, personally," Arenado said, per MLB.com. "I've got to be a better leader, a better player overall, fix my game, make sure I come in healthy and be strong.

"When people come in to play Colorado, I want my name to be popping in their heads."

The Giants and Marlins have agreed to a deal that has sent deposed starting third baseman Casey McGehee to San Francisco, per CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Giants pitchers Matt Duffy and Hunter Strickland are reportedly among the possibilities to be sent to Miami.

The Padres have acquired outfielder Justin Upton from the Braves via trade, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman on Friday.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the trade between both clubs.

Left-hander Max Fried, shortstop Jace Peterson, third baseman Dustin Peterson, outfielder Mallex Smith will be heading to Atlanta in exchange for the 27-year-old outfielder and a low-level player, per Heyman. Upton spent his first six seasons in the NL West and has a career .291/.359/.541 slash line at Petco Park. He is coming off a season in which he hit .270/.342/.491 with 29 homers and 102 RBI over 566 at-bats with the Braves.

The Pirates are planning to use Pedro Alvarez as their everyday first baseman in 2015, despite his struggles against left-handed pitchers. Alvarez is batting .196 in his career against southpaws.

"We're going to find out. It's going to be Pedro's job to keep," manager Clint Hurdle said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Pedro knows what challenges he's got to meet. He loves his teammates, he wants to do well and perform well. He's taken on some necessary opportunities this winter to prepare and get ready."

Following an All-Star campaign in 2013, Brewers shortstop Jean Segura had a down year in 2014. He struggled offensively, batting just .246 with a .289 on-base percentage, but manager Ron Roenicke is hopeful Segura will bounce back in 2015, per MLB.com.

"I think just mentally and maturity-wise, I think he's in a lot better place than he was last year for a lot of the season," Roenicke said of Segura, who became a father in October. "So I'm hoping he comes back and has another great year. If not, Hector [Gomez] is there, and [prospect Orlando] Arcia is coming." 

The Pirates have tendered a contract to 11 arbitration-eligible players prior to Tuesday's deadline, according to the team's official website. Those players include: Sean Rodriguez, Neil Walker, Francisco Cervelli, Mark Melancon, Chris Stewart, Travis Snider, Pedro Alvarez, Tony Watson, Josh Harrison, Jared Hughes and Vance Worley.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez is expected to have a normal offseason, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

Alvarez had a stress reaction in his foot. The injury ended his season prematurely. The team designated Ike Davis for assignment Thursday, confirming it will move ahead with Alvarez at first next season. General manager Neal Huntington confirmed the news, saying "we've essentially committed to Pedro over Ike Davis."