MLB Player News

It's "pretty clear" the Dodgers would like outfield prospect Joc Pederson to win the everyday center fielder job in 2015, the Los Angeles Times reports, adding that the backup plan if Pederson falters could be rolling with Yasiel Puig in center.

"I don’t expect anything to be handed to me," Pederson said last weekend during the team's fan fest. "It never has been in the past. I still have to grow as a baseball player."

Carl Crawford is expected to be locked in at left field regardless of the performance of Pederson, who would start in center with Puig in right if the prospect wins a spot on the 25-man roster in spring training. If the team decides Pederson needs more minor-league seasoning, Puig could be shifted to center field, with Andre Ethier moving into the starting lineup and playing right field.

To ensure his face his protected during spring training, Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will wear a protective face guard on his helmet, reports MLB.com.

Stanton's 2014 season ended after he took a fastball directly to the face by Milwaukee pitcher Mike Fiers on Sept. 11. He suffered multiple facial fractures and needed dental work.

Stanton has been able to workout in the offseason and plans to be ready for spring training. Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said they have no worries on how Stanton will react to the protective gear.

"There's no concerns on our part," Hill said. "We've worked closely with Giancarlo and the helmet manufacturer. He will wear a half-cage to protect the injured area. He's worked out with it."

The Marlins will begin player workouts Feb. 24.

The Giants were able to avoid arbitration with first baseman Brandon Belt after they agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million contract, reports CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Belt originally filed for $4.5 million in arbitration, while the Giants countered with $3 million. In 2014, Belt hit .243 with 12 home runs and 27 RBI.

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter hit just eight home runs with a .375 slugging percentage during the 2014 regular season, but had a much better power swing in the postseason, belting four home runs and slugging .722 in nine games.

“I took a more of an aggressive approach in the postseason,” Carpenter said, per STLBaseballWeekly.com. “Part of that was from the experience that I had gathered the year before. After a long season, going into the playoffs I felt like I wasn’t as prepared as I felt like I could’ve been. It kind of snowballed and my approach and the way I took the regular season at-bat in the postseason it wasn’t playing out well.”

Carpenter said his postseason success could have a positive impact on his power numbers in 2015.

"Certainly, I’m always going to be a guy who’s patient at the plate, but that was a good learning experience for me -- being aggressive," he said. "I don’t remember the exact numbers but out of the four home runs I hit, I think three of them were on the first pitch. That’s something typically I don’t do a lot of, and it was a good learning experience.”

While the Rockies have fielded calls for outfielder Charlie Blackmon, the team “is not initiating trade talks," a major-league source told The Denver Post.

Blackmon made his first All-Star team in 2014. He hit .288 with three triples, 19 home runs, 27 doubles, 72 RBI, 82 runs and 28 stolen bases in 154 games.

Rockies have included outfielder Charlie Blackmon in trade talks with multiple teams in hopes of adding pitching depth, reports FOX Sports on Saturday. 

According to the report, the Rockies are having trouble attracting pitchers to pitch at Coors Field, which explains why they haven't signed a pitcher this offseason. The Mets could be a match since they're looking to unload Dillon Gee, but they would have to offer more than just Gee in order to complete the trade.

Blackmon made the All-Star team for the first time in his career last year. The 28-year-old hit .288/.335/.440 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI in 648 plate appearances in 2014. He's not arbitration eligible until 2016.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has filed for $4.5 million in arbitration while outfielder Gregor Blanco has filed for $4 million, 16 WAPT Sports reports.

The team has offered Belt $3 million and Blanco $3.3 million. Belt is in his first year of arbitration eligibility while Blanco is eligible for arbitration for a second year.

The Dodgers have avoided arbitration with closer Kenley Jansen and third baseman Justin Turner prior to Friday's deadline, reports the Los Angeles Times. Jansen agreed to a $7.425 million salary for 2015, while Turner settled for $2.5 million.

Last season Jansen posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 101:19 K:BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings in 2014.

Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said the center-field competition this spring will be between Joc Pederson and Andre Ethier, according to MLB Network Radio.

Earlier Wednesday, manager Don Mattingly indicated as much to the media as well. Mattingly said if Pederson makes the team out of camp, then "he's going to play a lot." But added Ethier will get the chance to compete for a spot in the starting lineup this spring.

"If you put up the numbers, you'll play," Mattingly said, per TrueBlueLA.com.

The Nationals and outfielder Bryce Harper avoided a grievance hearing regarding his 2015 salary by agreeing to a two-year deal, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The two sides were scheduled to have a grievance hearing Tuesday before coming to terms on a two-year, $7.5 million contract, sources told Heyman. Harper will make $2.5 million in 2015 and $5 million in 2016.

Harper was set to make $1.5 million in 2015 due to the contract he signed as a first-round pick in 2010. Had he been eligible for arbitration, he would have likely made about $2.5 million, according to The Washington Post. Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, believed Harper had the right to opt out of his deal and enter arbitration.