MLB Player News

Turner agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract with the Dodgers on Monday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

Turner has been worth 12.9 wins above replacement (according to Fangraphs) over the past three years, but he is also entering his age-32 season, so this seems like a fair deal for both parties. He hit a career-high 27 home runs last year -- his previous career high was 16 -- and while he seems unlikely to duplicate that power performance, his career .282 average seems like a good projection for 2017. If he can stay healthy he should also be good for 75-plus runs and RBI, hitting near the top of the Dodgers' lineup.

Speaking at the team's Piratefest on Saturday, McCutchen refused to blame thumb and knee injuries for his poor performance in 2016. "I just didn't have it," he told DK Pittsburgh Sports. "It just wasn't there. It had nothing to do with injuries. I didn't produce the way that I wanted to, that's plain and simple. I appreciate it, because people are like, 'Something's not right. Something's off. He has to be injured to not be performing.' Honestly, it was nothing. The performance just wasn't there."

McCutchen is unsure whether he'll remain in center field. "Who knows if something changes," he said. "I don't know that, all the way. Hopefully we'll have a more definitive answer going into spring training. ... Center field, right, left, I'm just happy to be playing." The outfielder also cleared the air with GM Neal Huntington after hearing his name mentioned in trade talks at the winter meetings. "We had a good conversation and basically ended it on good terms and went from there," McCutchen noted.

Blackmon was part of an unsuccessful trade attempt when the Rockies tried to acquire right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Rumors of Blackmon being traded have been swirling, but the Rockies have struggled to find suitors for the outfielder. The Blue Jays weren't willing to part with Stroman in a one-for-one deal. MLB Trade Rumors projects that Blackmon will earn $9 million in 2017 through arbitration. Clearing that potential salary could keep the Rockies in play for some of the bigger-ticket free agents. The 30-year-old is coming off a career-best season in which he set personal records in average, OBP, slugging percentage, home runs and RBI.

Torrens, who was selected by the Reds in the Rule 5 draft, was traded to the Padres on Thursday, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports.

The Reds will receive cash and a player to be named later in the deal. Torrens, a 20-year-old catching prospect, missed all of the 2015 season following surgery to repair a torn labrum and played in just 52 games in 2016. He has some on-base skills, posting a 13.4 percent walk rate at Low-A, but he won't be fantasy relevant anytime soon. The Padres will have to keep Torrens on the active roster all season, otherwise he will be exposed to waivers and offered back to the Yankees. He will probably be stashed on the bench if he breaks camp with the club, as he is unlikely to be ready to handle the offensive or defensive side of the game at the big league level.

McCutchen is increasingly likely to remain in Pittsburgh in 2017 with a move from center field to one of the corner spots, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

With a trade market full of quality veteran outfielders, the Pirates may be changing course with McCutchen and considering dealing other pieces, perhaps prospects, from the organization instead. McCutchen's contract can keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2018 season, as he'll collect $14 million in 2017 before a $14.5 million option is on the table for 2018.

Torrens was selected by the Reds with the second pick of Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, Baseball America reports. However, Baseball America Editor JJ Cooper believes he will be dealt to San Diego.

Torrens will officially be a Cincinnati Red for now, though it seems he could land in the Padres uniform in the near future. The 20-year-old backstop spent the 2016 season with the Yankees organization, posting a .687 OPS across multiple Class A levels. Regardless of his landing spot, Torrens would ultimately be returned to New York if he gets removed from the major league roster from whichever team he ends up with and clears waivers.

Soler will be traded to the Royals on Wednesday in exchange for Wade Davis, provided both players pass their physicals, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Due to the Cubs' surplus of outfield bats, Soler wouldn't have had an everyday role had he remained with the team to begin 2017, but the move to the Royals will significantly improve his outlook. Soler should be the leading candidate to play regularly in right field, with Lorenzo Cain shifting over to center field to clear room for him. While Soler hasn't lived up to expectations through his first three MLB seasons, he's still just 24 years old and carries plenty of pop in his bat. The opportunity to see more consistent at-bats with the Royals should give him his best chance to date to unlock some of his immense talent.

Cespedes signed a four-year, $110 million deal with the Mets on Tuesday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

This is a luxury signing for the Mets, as they once again have a bit of a logjam in the outfield, but Cespedes should have no problem getting something close to everyday at-bats. Over the past two seasons he has settled in as a good bet for a batting average north of .275 with 30-plus home runs and the potential for over 100 runs and RBI if he stays healthy. That caveat is particularly relevant after last season, as a quadriceps issue limited him to 132 games and severely impacted his ability to run and play the field when he was in the lineup in the second half. The Mets will likely give him a handful of strategic off days in 2017, given their depth and the concerns about aggravating his quad, but he still makes for a low-end OF1 in most formats.

Winker was added to the Reds' 40-man roster on Friday.

The Reds protected Winker from the Rule 5 draft, as expected. No longer the top prospect in the organization, following the drafting of Nick Senzel in June, Winker failed to hit for power last year at Triple-A, but still displayed a plus hit tool and phenomenal approach (59:59 K:BB in 448 plate appearances). He has shown the ability to hit double-digit homers in a season on three previous occasions, so owners should not overreact to him hitting just three over the fence in 2016. Winker should reach the majors early on in 2017 and should quickly earn a spot near the top of the big league lineup.

Ruf was traded to the Dodgers on Friday along with Darnell Sweeney in exchange for Howie Kendrick.

The 30-year-old fell out of favor in the Phillies' organization, as he failed to capitalize on his opportunities against left-handed pitching in 2016 (.695 OPS) and was passed by Tommy Joseph on the organizational depth chart at first base. He will get a fresh start with the Dodgers although there's not a clear path to at-bats and he's far from a lock to even make the Opening Day roster. Adrian Gonzalez struggled against lefties but a healthy Scott Van Slyke (if he's tendered a contract) may be a better platoon option.