MLB Player News

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.

Athletics announced pitcher Austin House has been traded to the Rockies Thursday. Mark Canha to the A’s.

House has a 3.27 ERA over three seasons in the minors. While playing in Triple-A in 2014, Canha hit .303 with 20 home runs and 83 RBI. The Rockies picked up Canha from the Marlins in Thursday's Rule 5 draft.

The Nationals and Mariners have discussed shortstop Ian Desmond in trade discussions on "multiple occasions," FOXSports.com reports.

The Nationals have interest in Mariners shortstop Brad Miller, according to the report, but the talks have yet to turn serious. Desmond hit .255/.313/.430 with 24 home runs, 91 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 593 at-bats in 2014.

The Nationals will adjust their defensive alignment in 2015, according to The Washington Post. 

Bryce Harper is expected to take over in right field, while Jayson Werth moves to left. The move should allow the club to get better use of Harper's arm. Harper is also expected to take on a bigger role in the lineup. He will likely hit somewhere between the second and fourth spot in the lineup, according to manager Matt Williams. Last season, Harper was mostly used as the team's sixth hitter. 

The Red Sox and Reds have discussed a deal to send outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to Cincinnati, but no recent progress has been made, according to FOXSports.com's Jon Morosi.

Cespedes, who was traded from Oakland to Boston during the 2014 season, hit .260 with 22 home runs and 100 RBI last year. 

The Mets have had trade discussions with the Mariners about shortstops Brad Miller and Chris Taylor, sources told ESPN. However, the Mets are expected to wait until January to see how the shortstop market develops.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Sunday the "likelihood" of Wilmer Flores being the starting shortstop at the start of the season is increasing.

Reds manager Walt Jocketty said Tuesday he has not talked to the Red Sox about a trade involving outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

The Reds seem like a potential trade partner for the Red Sox since they are in need of an outfielder and Boston is in the market for a starting pitcher. Four of the Reds' starting pitchers -- Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Alfredo Simon and Mike Leake -- are due to be free agents following the 2015 season.