MLB Player News

Astros manager Bo Porter said Tuesday first baseman Brett Wallace and outfielder J.D. Martinez are not in any sort of last-leg situation with the team, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"I think you can look at Brett Wallace’s situation, J.D. Martinez’s situation and from a prospect standpoint, both of those guys have had success at the major-league level," Porter said. "But it just goes to show how quick things can turn at the major-league level. …. I believe both of those guys will have bounce-back years."

For the first time in his major-league career, Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter enters spring training with expectations, and that's fine with him, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"The thing that I’m so excited about for me personally this year is there are expectations," Carpenter said. "This is the first time in my career that I’ve had that chance, that I’ve had those expectations. Think about it. Every year, it’s been like maybe he’ll make the team. Then the next year, it’s maybe he’ll play second base. This year, well he’s going to play and this is what he did, so there’s an expectation. For the first time in my career, I get a chance to live up to an expectation.

"My goal is to exceed those."

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Monday infielders Nick Franklin and Brad Miller will compete for the starting job at shortstop, according to MLB.com. McClendon said he's not looking to move either player to another position.

"That's a good problem to have," McClendon said.

The Indians have announced an extension with outfielder Michael Brantley.

The deal leaked Monday, but wasn't announced until Thursday. Brantley will make $25 million over four seasons. The deal contains an $11 million option for a fifth year. Brantley hit .284/.332/.396 in 556 at-bats last season.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $6.5 million salary for 2014, said he would like to see what the organization's future plans are before he signs a multi-year deal, according to MLB.com.

"I want some team security as well," Staton said. "I'm very pleased with how things panned out for me. But I would like to see it grow. I have my security, somewhat now. I'd like to see a team full of that, which we are going in the right direction.

"In order for the team to have security, that doesn't happen in two seconds. That happens over a season or over two seasons. You show me that, and we can get something going."

Stanton, who won't become a free agent until after the 2016 season, said he doesn't anticipate any talks about a contract extension until after the 2014 season.

"I don't think I'd like during the season to have to play and deal with that," he said.

The Indians and outfielder Michael Brantley have agreed to a four-year deal worth $25 million with a club option for $11 million, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports.

The deal buys out Brantley's three years of arbitration as well as a minimum of one year of free agency. He hit .284/.332/.396 with 10 home runs, 73 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 556 at-bats last season.

The Indians and outfielder Michael Brantley are close to a multiyear deal, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, adding that the deal could be for four years and include an option.

Brantley is eligible for arbitration for the first time this season and schedule to reach free agency at the end of the 2016 season. He hit .284/.332/.396 with 10 home runs, 73 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 556 at-bats last season.

Darin Ruf could be a lock to break camp with the Phillies despite his defensive deficiencies, the Philadelphia Inquirer has speculated. His power and patience at the plate are qualities his team is lacking.

Ruf hit 14 home runs with 33 walks in 293 plate appearances in 2013. Ryne Sandberg believes Ruf could be on line for 300 plate appearances this season.

"I like him at first base depending on how things go," Sandberg said. "If we need a righthanded bat against lefthanded pitching, we have the lineup for that. That could be Ruf in left field. He could be at first base."

His ability to get on base is a plus. Philadelphia drew fewer walks per game last year than any of its teams in the last 50 years. Ruf walked in a team-best 11.3 percent of his plate appearances a year ago.

Usually quiet Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has spoken up about his desire to sign a contract extension that would keep him in Oakland beyond 2015, when his four-year deal expires.

Cespedes must prove his worth to remain with the team long-term. His batting average dropped markedly to .240 in 2013, though his power numbers remained steady with 26 home runs and 80 RBI. He has been involved in trade rumors during the offseason.

"What I would like is to finish my four years here in Oakland and maybe get an extension because this is the team that gave me the opportunity to play here, and I will not forget that," he told MLB.com.

The Dodgers have agreed to a minor-league deal with infielder Justin Turner, which includes an invitation to spring training, a source told the Los Angeles Times. Turner has spent the last three seasons with the Mets, batting .267 with eight home runs, 56 doubles and 86 RBI in 297 games in that span.