MLB Player News
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Max Stassi C | SF
Giants' Max Stassi: Inks minors deal with San Francisco
The Giants signed Stassi (hip) to a minor-league contract Nov. 19.
Stassi became a free agent earlier this month when the White Sox declined his 2025 option, but he's quickly latched on with a new organization. The veteran catcher had left hip surgery in June and it's not clear whether he will be healthy for the start of spring training. Regardless, Stassi is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Sacramento, as the Giants are set at catcher with Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.
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Matt Thaiss C | TB
Cubs' Matt Thaiss: Reaches deal with Cubs
Thaiss signed a one-year deal with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
After the Angels designated Thaiss for assignment Nov. 14, he was traded to the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Unless the Cubs make another move in the offseason, Thaiss is projected to serve as the backup catcher to Miguel Amaya. Thaiss slashed .204/.323/.299 with two home runs and 16 RBI over 186 plate appearances during the 2024 regular season with the Angels.
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Garrett Stubbs C | PHI
Phillies' Garrett Stubbs: Sticking around in Philadelphia
Stubbs signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration.
The 31-year-old will serve as the Phillies' backup catcher behind J.T. Realmuto for a fourth straight season in 2025. Stubbs finished the 2024 regular season with a .207/.296/.262 slash line, five stolen bases, one home run and 11 RBI over 186 plate appearances.
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Jakson Reetz C | NYM
Mets' Jakson Reetz: In camp with Mets as NRI
The Mets signed Reetz to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Barring something unforeseen, Reetz isn't going to make the Opening Day roster, but he will give the Mets' some veteran catching depth. The 28-year-old got into six games with the Giants this past season, picking up a double and a home run in 15 plate appearances.
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Eric Haase C | MIL
Brewers' Eric Haase: Avoids arbitration
The Brewers and Haase avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Haase had been in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 31-year-old slashed .273/.304/.515 with five homers in 30 games with the Brewers this season and is slated to open the 2025 campaign as William Contreras' backup.
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Matt Thaiss C | TB
Cubs' Matt Thaiss: Acquired by Cubs
The Cubs acquired Thaiss from the Angels on Wednesday in exchange for cash consideration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Thaiss was designated for assignment last week and has now found a new home. The Cubs are looking for catching help this offseason, although Thaiss wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade over Miguel Amaya. As things stand right now, he and Amaya could share starts at the position.
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Jacob Stallings C | BAL
Rockies' Jacob Stallings: Re-ups with Colorado
The Rockies re-signed Stallings on Wednesday to a one-year, $2 million contract with a $2 million mutual option for 2026.
Stallings declined his portion of a mutual option for 2025 earlier this month but is now back in Colorado on a new deal. The veteran catcher slashed .263/.357/.453 with nine homers over 82 games for the Rockies in 2024. Stallings will likely share catching duties with Drew Romo in 2025, although Hunter Goodman could also be in the mix.
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Alex Jackson C | BAL
Reds' Alex Jackson: Signs with Cincy
Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday.
Although Jackson managed to record a career-high 155 plate appearances with the Rays in 2024, he continued to struggle at the plate, slashing just .122/.201/.237 with 12 RBI. However, his OPS jumped up to .855 at Triple-A Durham, so the Reds will take a flier on him and likely send him to Triple-A Louisville to begin the 2025 campaign.
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Pedro Pages C | STL
Cardinals' Pedro Pages: Splitting catching duties
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Wednesday that Pages and Ivan Herrera will split catching duties next season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Willson Contreras will be a first baseman and designated hitter moving forward, clearing a path to playing time at catcher. Pages was the preferred option over Herrera down the stretch of the 2024 season while Contreras was hurt, mostly because he's viewed as a much better defender. The 26-year-old Pages slashed .238/.281/.376 with seven homers over 68 contests this past season.
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Ivan Herrera DH | STL
Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Set to split time at catcher
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Wednesday that Herrera and Pedro Pages will share playing time at catcher next season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Willson Contreras is moving into a first base/designated hitter role, clearing the way for Herrera and Pages to handle catching duties. Herrera is much more intriguing of the two from an offensive standpoint, having slashed .301/.377/.417 in 85 games over the last two seasons with the Cardinals. However, his defense -- and particularly his throwing -- have drawn scrutiny, to the point that Pages leapt him on the depth chart down the stretch.