MLB Player News

The Astros and Abreu avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's a well-earned raise for Abreu, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The hard-throwing reliever has been dominant for Houston over the last two seasons, posting a 1.84 ERA and 188:57 K:BB across 132.1 innings. If anything happens to closer Ryan Pressly, Abreu would be next in line.

Hernandez agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 26-year-old righty has a career 4.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 126 strikeouts in 123 innings as a reliever after not panning out as a starter. Hernandez notched four saves and averaged 99 mph on his fastball last season, but he probably won't be the go-to option at closer, barring several injuries ahead of him on the depth chart.

The Yankees and Gonzalez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $860,000 contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

It was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Acquired from the Dodgers in a trade last month, Gonzalez posted a 4.01 ERA and 30:10 K:BB over 33.2 frames with the big club in 2023 in his first year back from elbow issues.

The Angels and Quijada (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $840,000 contract Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Quijada, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May. He'll be sidelined until around midseason, at least.

The Royals and Anderson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.575 million contract Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Anderson was in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Acquired from Atlanta via trade in November, Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 36:9 K:BB over 35.1 frames in 2023. He's a good bet to be effective for as long as he can remain healthy in 2024.

The Blue Jays and Mayza avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.59 million contract Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mayza was arbitration-eligible for the second time. The southpaw reliever has been super reliable for Toronto over the last three seasons, posting a 2.67 ERA and 154:39 K:BB over 155 innings out of its bullpen.

Cabrera and the Blue Jays agreed to a one-year, $1,512,500 deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The 27-year-old southpaw had a career-best 10 percent walk rate while splitting time between St. Louis and Toronto, but he still lacks the control necessary to pitch regularly in high-leverage situations. Cabrera has a career 1.31 WHIP and has three saves in 203 appearances.

The Blue Jays and Romano avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

The closer was eligible for arbitration for the second time. Romano has recorded 36 saves each of the last two seasons in Toronto and will operate as the Blue Jays' ninth-inning man again in 2024.

The Twins and Thielbar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.225 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Thielbar was arbitration-eligible for the third and final time. The left-handed reliever missed some time with injury in 2023 but was highly successful when on the bump, contributing a 3.23 ERA and 36:6 K:BB over 30.2 frames. He'll be a setup man again in 2024.

The Orioles and Tate avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Tate will receive the same salary as he was paid in 2023 after he missed the entire season because of a forearm issue. With better health, the 29-year-old could return to a setup role with Baltimore in 2024.