MLB Player News

Choi agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million deal with the Rays on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi appeared in 83 games during 2021 and hit .229/.348/.411 with 11 homers, 14 doubles, 45 RBI and 36 runs in 305 plate appearances. He should see plenty of time at first base next season, especially with Yandy Diaz likely to see more time at third base following the departure of Joey Wendle.

Ozuna was handed a retroactive 20-game suspension Monday for a violation of the league's Join Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy which has already been completed, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Ozuna landed on the injured list with broken fingers in late May and was arrested for aggravated assault and family violence soon after. He didn't return for the rest of the season while the case played out in court but was placed on administrative leave in mid-September after agreeing to enter a diversion program which could see his charges dropped. The league evidently felt that the time he already missed constituted a sufficient punishment, as his time on administrative league counted for the purposes of the suspension.

The Twins signed Buxton to a seven-year, $100 million contract extension Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The contract includes a full no-trade clause. Injuries have plagued Buxton throughout his career, but he's proven to be an immensely impactful player both offensively and defensively when available. At about $14 million per year, the contract will be a bargain for Minnesota if the center fielder manages to stay healthy. Despite being limited to 61 games in 2021, Buxton hit 19 home runs and stole nine bases while slashing .306/.358/.647 in 254 plate appearances.

Canha and the Mets agreed to terms on a two-year, $26.5 million deal Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The late bloomer looks set to slot straight into Michael Conforto's spot in right field after Conforto declined a qualifying offer to try his luck on the open market. Canha will turn 33 in February but he remains an effective player, hitting .231/.358/.387 (good for a 115 wRC+) with 17 homers and a career-high 12 steals last season. He is one of the league's premier on-base threats, as his .377 on-base percentage over the last three seasons is good for ninth among qualified hitters. His power appears to be fading, however, as his .156 ISO in 2021 represented a career low while his 7.1 percent barrel rate was his lowest mark since 2017.

Dickerson was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson had an unremarkable 2021 season, hitting .233/.304/.420 (good for a 97 wRC+) with 13 homers in 312 plate appearances. It's possible he lands in a platoon role elsewhere, as he did produce an out-of-nowhere 151 wRC+ in 170 plate appearances in 2020, but the upside seems fairly low for a player with a modest track record heading into his age-32 season.

Ramirez was traded from the Guardians to the Cubs on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Ramirez hasn't shown himself to be anything more than a bench piece through three major-league seasons, hitting .271/.308/.405 for his career. He makes good contact, striking out in just 18.2 percent of his plate appearances, but he's walked just 4.0 percent of the time and has below-average power, as seen in his 5.6 percent career barrel rate. That profile might work as a passable starter if he were a good defensive center fielder, but he's graded out poorly there and fits better in a corner. He's at least found himself with a team that has plenty of playing time available, but he'll be an unexciting option even if he plays regularly.

Turner (hamstring) has been rehabbing at Dodger Stadium three days a week, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

He started his offseason program earlier than usual to rehab his left hamstring, which put an end to his playoffs midway through the NLCS. Turner shouldn't be at risk of missing spring training.

Vientos was added to the Mets' 40-man roster Friday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Vientos seems to get overshadowed at times by Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, but he's probably going to beat them to the majors and he has big-time power potential. His strikeout rate will likely always be a little high, but he could hit 30-plus home runs if he can make contact at a passable clip.

Hummel's contract was selected by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Hummel was traded from the Brewers to the Diamondbacks in late July, and he'll now be protected from the Rule 5 draft. He slashed .311/.432/.546 with 12 home runs, 70 runs, 52 RBI and four stolen bases at the Triple-A level in 2021, and he'll likely be in the mix to make his big-league debut next year.

Ramirez was designated for assignment on Friday.

While Ramirez was serviceable last season, he's hardly a building block for Cleveland, and the team added 11 legitimate prospects to the 40-man roster in corresponding moves. He could be with another organization when spring training arrives.