MLB Player News

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.

There are "vibes" that the Giants and first baseman Brandon Belt will avoid going to trial for arbitration, according to CSN.

General manager Brian Sabean indicated that the two sides are moving closer. The goal is to settle on a one-year deal, and then talk to Belt about a potential extension once spring training begins. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper delievered an encouraging report during NatsFest Saturday. After being plagued by multiple ailments in 2013, Harper said he's going through baseball activities at 100 percent, according to MLB.com.

"To be able to hit with no pain and run with no pain was a lot of fun," Harper said. "I haven't hit with no pain for about a year, so it's not very fun to go through for a year, year and a half. I know you're going to have your ups and downs, play through pain, but that was something I didn't like doing, and it didn't feel very good. So being able to hit, being able to run, being able to chuck baseballs and things like that, it's been a great offseason. It's a lot of fun to be able to do it not hurt."

Harper didn't directly answer questions about a timetable for his recovery from left knee surgery in October, but said he is rehabbing three times a week. 

"It's all about how I feel in rehab and how I feel that day," Harper said of his availability at the beginning of the spring training. "If I'm not feeling very well, if the knee's not reacting very well, then I'll take a day off and see where I'm at the next day."

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will be babied during spring training, according to The Washington Post.

Manager Matt Williams cited a few injuries the club has dealt with during the offseason, and said a couple players will be handled with kid gloves during the spring. Harper's aggressive play style led him to injure his knee last season. He'll likely try to take better care not to put himself in harm's way during the year.