MLB Player News

Barnes agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old righty logged his worst ERA (4.30) since 2015, but he also notched nine saves in 24 appearances. He has proven to be a capable setup man, but he would probably open the year as Boston's closer if they don't add any superior relievers this offseason.

The Twins and Duffey agreed Wednesday on a one-year, $2.2 million contract, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Duffey will be getting a $1 million raise for 2021 after he finished second among all Twins relievers in WAR (0.7) while posting a 1.88 ERA and 31:6 K:BB in 24 innings during the 60-game 2020 campaign. He'll likely be in line to serve as one of the top setup men to Taylor Rogers in 2021, assuming the Twins don't bring in another veteran closer to replace Rogers.

Thielbar signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Twins on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Thielbar was highly effective in his return to the majors in 2020, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB over 20 innings. By inking a new deal with the Twins on Wednesday, he'll avoid arbitration heading into his age-34 season. The southpaw will have to prove himself over a larger sample in 2021, but he impressed in Minnesota during the abbreviated 2020 campaign.

Junis agreed to a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

This was his first year as an arbitration-eligible player. Junis logged a 6.39 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 25.1 innings (eight appearances, six starts) last season. He gave up seven home runs in that small sample and will likely pitch in a swing man or long reliever role in 2021.

Hill shared on his Instagram page that he was in a car accident Monday and needed surgery on his right wrist.

It was Hill's throwing wrist that took the brunt of the damage in the car accident, but he says he will be ready for the start of the 2021 season. Everyone else involved in the car accident were OK. He logged a 4.91 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB in 18.1 innings out of the bullpen last season.

When Weber was outrighted off Boston's 40-man roster in November, he accepted a split contract that will pay him $800,000 if he's promoted to the big leagues during the 2021 season, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

He would have been arbitration eligible this offseason but the Red Sox found a way to keep him in the organization without giving him a 40-man roster spot or having to non-tender him ahead of Wednesday's deadline. Weber logged a 4.40 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 52.5 percent groundball rate last season. His lack of strikeouts (14.6 K%) limits him to mostly low-leverage roles.

Cimber was designated for assignment by Cleveland on Wednesday.

Cimber made 14 relief appearances for Cleveland in 2020, posting a 3.97 ERA and 5:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings. He spent most of September at the team's alternate training site, and he'll now be cast off the 40-man roster to make room for right-hander Jordan Humphreys, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

Weber cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Weber was designated for assignment Friday, but he wasn't claimed on waivers and will remain in the organization going forward. The right-hander posted a 4.40 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 43 innings in 2020.

Payamps was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Payamps was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Friday, and he'll find a spot on Boston's 40-man roster via waivers. The right-hander tossed three relief innings in 2020, allowing one earned run while striking out two during that time.

Speier cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Speier was designated for assignment by the Royals on Friday, and he'll remain in the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. The southpaw has made 17 relief appearances over the last two seasons, posting a 7.62 ERA and 1.85 WHIP over 13 innings.