MLB Player News

Gomes agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Cubs on Tuesday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

It's a bit unusual to see the Cubs give a multi-year deal to a 34-year-old when they don't appear to be close to playoff contention, but they could see Gomes as a potential mentor for their next wave of pitchers or perhaps as someone they can flip at the deadline. The veteran has been a slightly below-average hitter for most of his career, with his 93 wRC+ last season nearly matching his career wRC+ of 91. That's an unexciting mark but an adequate one for a backstop. He doesn't appear to have a path for more than backup at-bats unless Willson Contreras is traded, but he could do enough in that small role to matter in deep, two-catcher formats.

Stallings was traded from the Pirates to the Marlins in exchange for Zach Thompson, Kyle Nicolas and Connor Scott on Monday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Stallings spent his first six major-league seasons in Pittsburgh, and he appeared in a career-high 112 games during the 2021 season. He hit .246 with eight home runs, 53 RBI and 38 runs last year and appears to be in line to serve as the Marlins' primary catcher in 2022.

Sullivan agreed to a one-year, major-league contract with the Brewers on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The news of a major-league deal comes as something of a surprise, as Sullivan is a 27-year-old with zero major-league experience. He wasn't particularly good at the Triple-A level last season, either, hitting .223/.302/.375 across 90 games, but the Brewers evidently feel he adds something as an extra catcher who can also provide cover at the infield and outfield corners.

Deglan signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Monday.

The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, but Deglan will more than likely be bound for Triple-A Buffalo before the regular season gets underway. The 29-year-old backstop split time at the Triple-A level between Buffalo and the Yankees' affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2021, slashing .211/.320/.358 over 109 plate appearances.

Perez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Perez was cast off the Pirates' 40-man roster last week but will remain in the organization after he went unclaimed on waivers. The 29-year-old appeared in 70 major-league games during the 2021 campaign, and he'll likely compete for a spot on the active roster during spring training in 2022.

Amaya (elbow) is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Amaya didn't play a game after June 3 while dealing with an injury that was originally called a forearm strain. While Tommy John surgery doesn't keep hitters out for as long as it sidelines pitchers, it's still likely to require a lengthy recovery process, which could cause him to miss a meaningful portion of the 2022 campaign.

The Guardians signed Leon on Monday to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

Austin Hedges is the only MLB-ready catcher left on Cleveland's 40-man roster after the team declined Roberto Perez's $7 million option for 2022 earlier this month, so Leon helps restore some depth at the position. Though he won't be added to the roster immediately, Leon should get the opportunity to compete for the No. 2 spot on the Guardians' depth chart at catcher heading into Opening Day. Leon logged 220 plate appearances for the Marlins in 2021, slashing .183/.237/.267 with four home runs, 15 runs and 14 RBI.

Stubbs was traded from the Astros to the Phillies on Friday in exchange for Logan Cerny.

He was set to be the victim of a roster crunch in Houston, so a change of scenery is probably welcomed by Stubbs. There isn't much behind J.T. Realmuto on the depth chart in Philadelphia, so Stubbs should compete for the backup catcher job in spring training.

Perez was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Friday.

Perez had an inconsistent role for the Pirates in 2021, and he'll now lose his spot on the 40-man roster to make room for several prospects. The 29-year-old appeared in 70 games last year and hit .143 with seven home runs, 21 RBI and 19 runs.

Wallach was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Wallach spent time with the Marlins, Dodgers and Angels in 2021 but will now lose his spot on the 40-man roster. He hit .200 with six RBI and two runs across 23 major-league appearances with Miami last year.