MLB Player News

Heim signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Heim is in the first year of arbitration and was rewarded for a strong 2023 season. He was aided by a strong supporting cast in the Rangers lineup and finished with 95 RBI, but he still posted a career-best .755 OPS while also improving his ISO for the third consecutive campaign.

Trevino (wrist) signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Trevino was shut down shortly after the All-Star break due to a wrist injury and underwent surgery to resolve the issue. He hit only .210 across 169 plate appearances prior to going down, and he'll have to battle prospect Austin Wells for playing time behind the plate in 2024.

Kirk agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Jays came to terms with both of their catchers Thursday, with the more senior Danny Jansen getting $5.2 million. Kirk will look to rebound after hitting .250 with eight home runs in 123 games last season, albeit with strong defense behind the plate.

Knizner signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Knizner was non-tendered by the Cardinals this offseason but managed to land a relatively substantial major-league deal with Texas. It's unclear how he'll fit in on a depth chart that also includes Jonah Heim, Sam Huff and Andrew Knapp, though Knizner should have the chance to win the backup role behind Heim in spring training.

Rogers and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.7 million deal Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The 28-year-old backstop slashed .221/.286/.444 with 21 home runs and a 32.3 percent strikeout rate in 107 games last year. He is a career .205 hitter, but Rogers grades out well as a defensive catcher, so he should continue to play a sizable role for the Tigers.

The Twins and Jeffers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.425 million contract Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

Jeffers was arbitration-eligible for the first time. He earned the big raise with a breakout 2023 season which saw him post an .858 OPS with 14 home runs across 96 contests. Jeffers is slated to share catching duties with Christian Vazquez again in 2024.

The Blue Jays and Jansen avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a nice raise for Jansen, who was in his third year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old has had trouble staying healthy, most recently missing the final month of the 2023 season to repair a fractured finger. He'll enter spring training with a clean bill of health, though, and will again share catching duties with Alejandro Kirk in 2024.

Huff is one of two catchers on the Rangers' 40-man roster, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Texas is short on catchers after Mitch Garver bolted for Seattle and Austin Hedges left for Cleveland. That leaves Jonah Heim as the starter with Huff the primary backup six weeks before spring training. Huff, who turns 26 next week, caught just three games in the majors and 58 at Triple-A Round Rock last season. The bat might play in the big leagues, but he lacks significant experience behind the dish. The Rangers will likely explore the backup catching market leading up to the spring training.

Brantly signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday.

The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where Brantly will presumably get the chance to compete for the Rays' No. 2 catching gig heading into Opening Day. The 34-year-old journeyman backstop spent last season in the Toronto organization, slashing .271/.390/.361 over 177 plate appearances with Triple-A Buffalo before he was cut loose in July.

Sands cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Toledo.

Sands spent the vast majority of 2023 at Triple-A Toledo, and he'll now do so without the benefit of a 40-man roster spot. Should Jake Rogers or Carson Kelly struggle with the Tigers, Sands may reappear in Detroit, but for now he'll fill in as organizational depth.