MLB Player News

Sanchez signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez spent the 2024 season with the Brewers and was a decent source of power, popping 11 homers and maintaining a .172 ISO across 280 plate appearances. He should be locked into the backup job behind the plate while also potentially picking up a few extra starts at designated hitter.

The Rays agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with Jansen on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Murray notes that Jansen turned down multi-year offers from other teams, preferring to bet on himself on a one-year pact after a down 2024 campaign which saw him put up a .658 OPS over 92 games between the Blue Jays and Red Sox. Injuries have been a problem for Jansen, whose career high in games (107) and plate appearances (384) was established back in 2019. However, he's been an above-average offensive catcher for most of his career, particularly from 2021-23 when he put up an .805 OPS.

Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said Tuesday that Higashioka and Jonah Heim will split time at catcher in 2025, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Texas announced the signing of Higashioka to a two-year, $13.5 million contract on Monday. The 34-year-old is coming off the best offensive season of his career, having posted a .739 OPS with 17 home runs over 84 games with the Padres. Higashioka's 263 plate appearances in 2024 were a career high, but it sounds like he'll have a good shot to eclipse that total in 2025.

Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said Tuesday that Heim and Kyle Higashioka will receive equal playing time at catcher next season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

It's not a surprise to hear that Higashioka will play extensively after the Rangers announced a two-year, $13.5 million contract with the veteran catcher. Heim made the All-Star team and won a Gold Glove in 2023, but fell off to just a .602 OPS and also saw his defensive metrics dip significantly in 2024.

Higashioka signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract with Texas on Monday, which includes a $7 million mutual option for 2027.

Higashioka will add a veteran presence to the backstop position for Texas and is likely to share the workload with Jonah Heim, who struggled during the 2024 campaign. Higashioka is coming off one of his most productive seasons at the plate, swatting a career-high 17 home runs and recording 45 RBI in 84 games for the Padres.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.