MLB Player News

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has indicated catcher Alex Avila could see a lighter workload behind the plate in 2015, which means more work for rookie James McCann. Avila was behind the plate for 122 games in 2014.

"It's certainly open at this point," Ausmus said, per The Detroit News. "Clearly Alex has shown he has the ability to be an everyday catcher. He works well with the pitchers, they trust him. But I also think a guy like McCann has a very bright future. I like the way he catches."

Ausmus added Avila has no health limitations after enduring several concussions last season.

"A decision on who's No. 1 or No. 2 won't be made until spring training, or even if there is a No. 1 and a No. 2," Ausmus said. "Maybe there will be a split. I can't give you a full answer. All I can say is Alex is an established big-league catcher and I really like McCann. And (Bryan) Holaday did a really nice job as a backup last season. But a decision won't be made until March."

The Padres continue to talk with the Dodgers about a trade involving outfielder Matt Kemp, as it appears San Diego is the most likely landing spot if Los Angeles decides to deal Kemp, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

One deal being discussed would involve the Dodgers receiving catcher Yasmani Grandal and starting pitcher prospect Zach Elfin, sources said.

The Royals will seek to lighten the load of catcher Salvador Perez next season. He led the majors in 2014 with 146 games behind the plate.

"I can't catch Sal 150 games again," Ned Yost told CBSSports.com baseball writer Matt Snyder. "I'll kill the kid."

Including the postseason, Perez caught 161 games last year.

The Padres are looking like the most likely destination for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, according to USA Today MLB columnist Bob Nightengale. The Padres are offering catcher Yasmani Grandal and another player in a deal for Kemp, who is still owed $107 million over the next five years.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported last week the Padres were one of three teams showing interest in Kemp. The other two were the Orioles and Mariners.

The Giants avoided arbitration with catcher Hector Sanchez, agreeing to a one-year, $800,000 contract, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Sanchez hit .196 with three home runs and 28 RBI in 66 games last season.

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.

The Giants have tendered contracts to all six arbitration-eligible players, per the team's official website on Tuesday. Those players include: Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Gregor Blanco, Hector Sanchez, Travis Ishikawa and Yusmeiro Petit.

The Tigers plan to maintain Alex Avila as their starting catcher next season despite his issues with concussions and declining production since his peak season of 2011, but they will likely allow Avila to walk in free agency after the year in favor of promising James McCann, per the Detroit News.

Avila finished 2014 with a meager stat line of .218/.327/.359. His 61 walks in 390 at-bats and continued strength behind the plate were two pluses.

Padres vice president of scouting operations Don Welke said he heard good things about catcher Yasmani Grandal, who hit .328 with a .469 on-base percentage in the Dominican winter league. He also had seven doubles, two homers and 14 RBI in 19 games, while totaling 18 walks against 15 strikeouts.

"The reports were all good on Grandal," Welke said, per MLB.com. "He looked sharper offensively and defensively. You know he's doing good when quite a few teams express interest in him. I think he's got a chance to have a lot of impact."

After appearing in 146 games behind the plate in 2014, the Royals might be inclined to give catcher Salvador Perez more starts at DH in 2015 in an attempt to preserve his knees, a source told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Perez made four appearances at DH in 2014, but the team is considering their DH options for 2015 since Billy Butler is a free agent. There is a report the Royals might consider trading for Ryan Howard to be the primary DH. Although, it doesn't seem Howard is high on the Royals' priority list, per the Daily News.