MLB Player News

Stephenson and the Rockies agreed to a one-year, $805,000 deal Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Stephenson came over in a trade from the Reds in November. Where exactly he fits into the Rockies' bullpen depends on whether or not he looks more like he did in 2019 (3.76 ERA) or 2020 (9.90 ERA).

Cimber and the Marlins avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $925,000 deal, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The two sides won't have to start their relationship off with a potentially acrimonious arbitration hearing after Cimber was acquired from Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations in late November. The right-hander should work mainly as a low-leverage reliever for Miami in 2021.

Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old began the 2020 campaign in Japan but returned to affiliated ball with the Reds in August on a minor-league deal. Jackson last appeared in the majors with the Brewers in 2019 and posted a 4.45 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB over 30.1 innings.

Hicks signed a one-year, $862,500 contract with the Cardinals on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Hicks gets a raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility despite the fact that he didn't play at all in 2020. He was already set to miss a portion of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he wound up electing to opt out of the entire campaign, as his status as a Type 1 diabetic meant that playing during a pandemic would be unwise. He's expected to enter the upcoming season fully healthy and retains the huge potential that comes with his record-setting heat, but his injury history makes him something of a risk.

Castro signed a one-year, $1.6875 million contract with the Mets on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The 26-year-old was acquired from the Orioles at the August trade deadline and allowed four runs on 11 hits with a 14:8 K:BB during his brief time with the Mets. Castro should enter spring training in a middle relief role for New York.

Garcia signed a one-year, $1.9 million deal with the Marlins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The 30-year-old was near spotless during his first season in Miami with a 0.60 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB across 15 innings. Garcia could be in the mix for the closer's job in spring training for Miami.

Estevez and the Rockies agreed to a one-year, $1.45 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Esteven struggled to a 7.50 ERA in 24 innings of relief last season. A .380 BABIP can seemingly be blamed for a fair portion of his struggles, however, as his 23.3 percent strikeout rate and 7.8 percent walk rate were both acceptable numbers.

Diaz and the Mets avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $7 million deal, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Diaz didn't manage to keep the closer job all season last year thanks to some early-season struggles, but his year-end numbers represented quite an impressive bounceback from his poor 2019 campaign. He finished the year with a career-low 1.75 ERA and a career-high 45.5 percent strikeout rate, presumably setting himself up quite well to be the Mets' closer again in 2021.

Minter and the Braves agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Minter didn't add to his 20 career saves last season but still had quite a strong campaign. He allowed just two earned runs in 21.2 innings, good for a 0.83 ERA, while his 28.2 percent strikeout rate was his best mark since his 15-inning debut back in 2017.

Alvarado avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The Phillies will be hoping Alvarado can plug a hole in their historically leaky bullpen this season. He's been a high-leverage reliever at times in the past, but he's since struggled through a pair of injury-filled campaigns, posting a 5.08 ERA and a 17.3 percent walk rate over that stretch.