MLB Player News

Muncy was designated for assignment Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This move comes on the heels of the team's free agent signing of Rajai Davis. Muncy appeared in 51 games for the A's in 2016, but failed to make much of an offensive impact. In 133 plate appearances, the utility infielder slashed a paltry .186/.308/.257 and a posted a wRC+ of 63.

Plouffe has drawn the interest of the Red Sox, Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reports.

Plouffe, who hits from the right side, could fill a corner infielder role, complementing the left-handed hitting Mitch Moreland at first base and third baseman Pablo Sandoval, a switch hitter than hits better from the left side. The 30-year-old Plouffe is said to be open to a utility role if that's what it takes to extend his major league career, but the Red Sox would be looking for no more than a one-year commitment.

Devers was part of the package the White Sox were seeking for pitcher Chris Sale, but the Red Sox would not include him, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Boston was reluctant to part with Devers in addition to losing Yoan Moncada and Micheal Kopech in the deal, so Chicago eventually settled on two lesser prospects to complete the deal. If the Red Sox were going to deal Moncada, who had potential to play third base, they weren't going to leave the organization thin at the position by trading Devers, too. The takeaway for fantasy owners is how valuable Boston perceives Devers, who became the team's top prospect following the deal. He's at least two years away from being an everyday MLBer, which puts him right on schedule to take over when Pablo Sandoval's contract runs its course.

Moncada was traded to the White Sox on Tuesday as part of a deal that sends Chris Sale to the Red Sox, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

Moncada struggled in his brief major-league stint with the Red Sox last season, but there is no denying he is one of -- if not the -- best prospects in baseball, and is the centerpiece of the package headed to Chicago. Now that the White Sox are officially rebuilding, they will likely let Moncada work on his recognition of offspeed and breaking pitches at Triple-A at the start of the season, as the Red Sox clearly rushed him a little in 2016. Once he has mastered minor league pitching, however, he will likely take over at the keystone for the White Sox.

Royals manager Ned Yost said that Moustakas (knee) will be "100 percent ready to go" when the season starts as he continues to rehab a torn ACL, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The knee injury was preceded by a thumb ailment, and Moustakas was on the field for just 27 games in 2016. One particularly encouraging sign last season was that he sustained the power increase he showed in 2015 (.470 SLG, 22 homers) with seven long balls and a .500 slugging percentage in his 113 plate appearances. A detailed timetable for Moustakas' return hasn't been revealed, but he's on track for Opening Day, which suggests that he'll likely be able to accumulate at-bats in Arizona when spring training kicks off in March.

Asche was non-tendered by the Phillies on Friday, making him a free agent.

Asche was already designated for assignment earlier Friday, so it's not a surprise the Phillies are cutting ties with him. He'll go looking for a team seeking depth at the corners.

Escobar agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Twins on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

He was believed to be a non-tender candidate, but ultimately Escobar and the Twins were able to land on a number that was suitable for both sides. Escobar hit just .236/.280/.338 in his age-27 season, but he was significantly better at the plate in 2015 and can play shortstop, second base and third.

Asche was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Friday.

Asche's stock fell after yet another disappointing season at the major league level, as his .213/.284/.350 slash line led to him being usurped of a regular role in the big leagues. The 26-year-old was expected to be non-tendered anyway, so it seems his time in the organization is nearing its close. One thing he does have going for him is defensive versatility, as he has experience in the corner outfield spots and at the hot corner, although this will likely only put his ceiling to that of a major league reserve.

Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that Duffy is "very much ahead of schedule" in his recovery from left heel surgery, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy battled soreness in his Achilles/heel area throughout much of the season and ultimately underwent surgery in early September. He's been working through some atrophy since shedding his walking boot, but the Rays seem optimistic that Duffy will be ready for spring training. Entering his age-26 season, Duffy projects as the primary shortstop if indeed healthy.

Segura was traded to the Mariners from the Diamondbacks on Wednesday along with Mitch Haniger and Zac Curtis in exchange for Taijuan Walker and Ketel Marte.

It was well known that the Mariners were looking for an upgrade at shortstop and they landed a significant one in Segura. He put together what was easily his best season in his age-26 campaign, batting .319/.368/.499 with 20 homers and 33 steals (43 attempts). While he now goes to a more pitcher-friendly home park and will play for a manager in Scott Servais who didn't run a whole lot this past season (24th in stolen base attempts), Segura's batted ball profile from 2016 and speed bode well for his chances of once again providing quality production atop the lineup.