MLB Player News
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Mark Vientos 1B | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Moves to minor-league camp
Vientos was optioned to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Vientos got to spend some time in big-league camp as a member of the 40-man roster, but he's not quite ready to push for an active roster spot. He's only played 11 Triple-A games, but he could make his case for a promotion with a strong start at that level this season.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Marlins' Jorge Soler: Signs with Miami
Soler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Marlins, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Soler was one of the big-ticket free agents left on the market and provides outfield help that Miami had been looking for. The 2021 World Series MVP should see time at both right field and DH and hit in the middle of the Marlins' lineup.
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Ryan Goins DH | KC
Braves' Ryan Goins: In camp with Atlanta
Goins signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Sunday, which includes an invite to big-league camp.
Goins was in the organization last season at Triple-A Gwinnett and is back with Atlanta for 2022. He hit .233/.305/.330 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 91 games at Triple-A in 2021 and is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Giants' Joc Pederson: Joining San Francisco
Pederson agreed to a contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
It's a one-year deal worth $6 million, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, and Pederson will return to the west coast after winning his second consecutive World Series last year with Atlanta. He also spent time with the Cubs in 2021 and totaled 18 home runs and 61 RBI with a .732 OPS across 137 games. Pederson has historically been a platoon player given his struggles against left-handed pitching, though he was much better last year with a .265/.348/.378 slash line in 112 plate appearances versus southpaws.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Brewers' Andrew McCutchen: Set to fill DH role
Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that McCutchen will see most of his starts at designated hitter in 2022, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Stearns comments came after the Brewers officially announced McCutchen's signing to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. According to Sammon, the Brewers aren't viewing McCutchen as an option in center field, though the five-time All-Star could fill in as a left or right fielder whenever projected starters Christian Yelich and Hunter Renfroe need a day off. McCutchen is coming off a 2021 campaign with the Phillies in which he slugged 27 home runs -- his best total since 2017 -- but a career-worst .222 average capped his overall fantasy utility.
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Alex Dickerson DH | ATL
Braves' Alex Dickerson: Signs with Atlanta
Dickerson signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.
Dickerson underwhelmed in 2021, as he slashed .233/.304/.420 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and 37 runs across 111 appearances with the Giants. The 31-year-old will attempt to right the ship on his major-league deal with Atlanta, but he'll presumably have to compete for a roster spot during spring training since his salary isn't guaranteed. Even if he's able to make the team's Opening Day roster, Dickerson will presumably take on a backup role after Atlanta signed Eddie Rosario on Wednesday.
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Daniel Vogelbach DH | TOR
Pirates' Daniel Vogelbach: Reaches deal with Pirates
Vogelbach signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The contract contains a $1.5 million team option for 2023 and an additional $400,000 in performance-based incentives.
MLB's adoption of the universal designated hitter likely played a major part in Vogelbach earning a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster, as the 29-year-old has historically been a liability defensively even at first base. With the DH now in place in the National League, Vogelbach should have a clear path to an everyday spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching, provided he can keep his strikeouts in check. For his career, the lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been a well above league-average performer versus righties, slashing .228/.357/.442 (117 wRC+).
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Seth Beer DH | PIT
Diamondbacks' Seth Beer: Full participant Monday
Beer (shoulder) was a full participant in Monday's workout, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Beer, who underwent surgery last September, is expected to compete to earn a portion of the designated hitter at-bats. In five September games for Arizona in 2021, Beer went 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, three RBI and four runs scored.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Brewers' Andrew McCutchen: Reaches deal with Brewers
McCutchen agreed to a contract with the Brewers on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Philadelphia declined McCutchen's $15 million option for 2022 back in November, and the veteran outfielder will continue his career in Milwaukee. The Brewers already have an established outfield group with Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Hunter Renfroe and Tyrone Taylor, but the introduction of the designated hitter to the National League opens up some at-bats. McCutchen had a .778 OPS with 27 home runs and 80 RBI in 144 games last season, though he did most of that damage against left-handed pitching with a .293/.405/.622 slash line in 195 plate appearances.
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Harold Ramirez DH | WAS
Cubs' Harold Ramirez: Not yet at camp
Manager David Ross said Monday that Ramirez hasn't yet reported to spring training due to travel complications, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Ramirez was dealt from the Guardians to the Cubs in November of 2021, but he hasn't yet joined his new club for camp following the league's lockout. The 27-year-old made 99 appearances for Cleveland last year and hit .268 with seven home runs, 41 RBI, 33 runs and three stolen bases. Once he reports to camp, he'll attempt to carve out at-bats as a depth option in the outfield ahead of the 2022 campaign.