MLB Player News

The Marlins have avoided arbitration with outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton is set to make $6.5 million next year. He's coming off a season in which he hit .249/.365/.480 in 425 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is not expected to sign a long-term extension with the club, according to MLB.com.

The idea of a long-term deal was at least discussed, but it's unclear whether the talks were serious. A league source said any chance of a long-term deal was "not going to happen." Stanton is under team control through the 2016 season. 

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler said he's in better shape heading into 2014 than he was last season and he is hoping for an injury-free year, according to ESPN. Soler doesn't know what level of the minors he will start at this season.

Soler was limited to 55 games for high Class A Daytona in 2013. He missed time last season because of a stress fracture in his left shin. When active, Soler hit .281 with a .343 on-base percentage, .467 slugging percentage, .810 OPS, eight home runs, 13 doubles and 35 RBI.

The Miami Marlins announced Thursday the 22 non-roster players that have received an invite to major-league spring training, the Sun Sentinel reports.

Pitchers Jesus Sanchez and Kevin Slowey, reliever Josh Spence, infielder Juan Diaz and outfielders Matt Angle and Joe Benson all signed minor league contracts with spring training invites.

Austin Barnes, Kyle Skipworth, Danny Black, Mark Canha, Colin Moran, Austin Nola, Anthony DeSclafani, Bryan Evans, Colby Suggs, Rett Varner, Nick Wittgren, Adam Conley, Andrew Heaney, James Leverton, Greg Nappo and Justin Nicolino -- all non-roster organizational players -- were extended invites to spring training.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo provided a positive update on outfielder Bryce Harper's recovery from knee surgery during an interview with MLB Network Radio Thursday.

"He's progressing nicely from knee surgeries," Rizzo said. "He's a guy that works out extremely hard. He is 100 percent ready for spring training."

Harper was quoted in an ESPN story he wants to open spring training at 240 pounds. Rizzo is OK with Harper bulking up.

"We have no problems where he's at," Rizzo said. "He looks great and sounds great."

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who missed the end of last season recovering from a ligament tear and fracture in his left thumb, appeared to make it through the Dominican Winter League without setback this offseason.

Ozuna hit .277 with a .376 slugging percentage and .672 OPS in 34 games. He added two home runs, eight doubles, 12 RBI and 13 runs.

MLB.com reports that Nationals manager Matt Williams expects outfielder Bryce Harper to be fully recovered from knee surgery in time for spring training.

Harper had surgery to repair the bursa in his left knee in October.

With Dexter Fowler having been dealt to the Astros this week, the Rockies are without their primary leadoff hitter from the last three seasons, but manager Walt Weiss is already compiling a list of leadoff candidates.

Weiss told MLB.com that Carlos Gonzalez is under consideration to hit at the top of the order, noting that "it's something he's done before." However, Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson, who will compete for the job in left field, are currently the leading candidates to lead off. Blackmon hit .309 with a .336 on-base percentage in 82 games in 2013, while Dickerson hit .263 with a .316 on-base percentage in 69 games.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean indicated Wednesday that first baseman Brandon Belt will remain at first base full time in 2014, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports.

Belt has transitioned between first base and left field in his career, but the team is ready to stick with him as a full-time first baseman as it did in 2013. He hit .289/.360/.481 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI in 509 at-bats last season.

The Athletics and Diamondbacks have discussed a deal involving trading outfielder Yoenis Cespedes for outfielder A.J. Pollock, pitcher Tyler Skaggs and more, but neither side was comfortable with the deal, Fox Sports reports.

The framework suggests the Diamondbacks are serious about adding power to the lineup.