MLB Player News

With the Indians agreeing on a four-year, $48 million contract with outfielder Michael Bourn on Monday, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports either Michael Brantley or Drew Stubbs could now be traded. Cleveland also signed Nick Swisher this offseason and has an abundance at the position.

Mets infielder Justin Turner is going to see some work in the outfield this spring, reports ESPN Monday. The Mets need another right-handed hitting outfielder along with Collin Cowgill and Turner will compete with Marlon Byrd and Andrew Brown for the gig. “We talked about it at the end of the season last year,” Turner said about a conversation with Terry Collins. “He told he wanted me to get out there, get some reps. I don’t know if that means I’m going to be playing for a spot, or it’s just another couple of positions to maybe get some more at-bats.” Turner hasn't played outfield since rookie ball in 2006.

Cardinals utility man Matt Carpenter continues to work towards competing for the second base job and coach Jose Oquendo says he's slightly ahead of the schedule Skip Schumaker was on back in 2009 when he converted from the outfield to 2B, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “It isn’t that big of a surprise,” Oquendo said. “Schumaker did great on routine plays. But Schumaker had a tough time reading balls off the bat because of being in the outfield. (Carpenter) has been an infielder (third base, first base) almost all his time. He can read balls a lot better.”

Marlins manager Mike Redmond told the Miami Herald that he may plan to use outfielder Giancarlo Stanton in the third spot rather than the clean-up position come opening day. "Initially we were thinking the four hole, and it could still end up being the four hole," Redmond said. "But I'm leaning toward third at this point."

In his first taste of professional baseball, Cubs prospect Jorge Soler, a 20-year-old Cuban outfielder, hit .299 with five home runs and 12 stolen bases in 34 games. Soler, named the No. 3 Cubs prospect by MLB.com on Wednesday, received high praise from Jason McLeod, Cubs senior vice president of scouting and player development. "He's got all the tools," McLeod told MLB.com. "He's big and physical, with tremendous, tremendous raw power."

The addition of Delmon Young makes the Phillies' outfield situation a bit more crowded and increases the chances of Darin Ruf returning to the minors. However, manager Charlie Manuel remains enamored with the power-slugging prospect. "We got a situation in the outfield that is going to be good, especially with Ruf," Manuel said, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. "He could make it real interesting." Manuel recalled a trade in 1993 between the Indians and Phillies that involved current Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and Heathcliff Slocumb. "John Hart and I talked and we thought that Ruben and Wayne Kirby were going to be platooning in right field," Manuel said. "The only trouble was a guy by the name of Manny Ramirez came by at the age of 19 or 20 years old. So you get what I'm talking about with Ruf? Ruf might be ready."

The San Francisco Chronicle reports A's outfielder Yoenis Cespedes said he has learned how to focus more on stretching to avoid some of the injuries that plagued him in 2012. Cespedes added he should also be helped by playing a full season in the majors.

The Washington Times reports Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper declined to play for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic because he wanted to focus on preparing for his first full season in the majors. "Coming off the year that we had, I just wanted to get back and get back in the swing of things in spring training," Harper said. "It's the first spring training that I can really be with the big league club. Hopefully in four years, I'll do the WBC then."

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is likely to play first base for Team Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, reports MLive.com Saturday. This comes after he spent almost all of last offseason preparing to move from first to third base for the Tigers. No announcement has been made, but Cabrera is expected to play first with Pablo Sandoval at third for Venezuela. "If they put me at first base, I'll play," Cabrera said. "If they put me in right field, I'll play right field. I'll play wherever." Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said he'd prefer Cabrera to play third, but he's OK with whatever decision is made. "I don't have any concern about him playing first, but I'd rather him play third," Dombrowski said. "He's played first many, many times, so I'm OK with it."

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez told MLB.com on Friday that while he has yet to starting swinging a bat again, he feels he'll be ready when spring training rolls around. Martinez underwent surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his left hand in September. "I really haven't been able to swing that much yet, but I feel like it's right there and really close," he said. "I'm trying to rest it as much as I can now because I know when spring training starts, it's going to be non-stop. I feel like I'll be ready and it will be strong enough for me to do what I have to do."