MLB Player News

Robles agreed to a one-year, $900,000 deal with the Mets on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

This was his first offseason as an arbitration-eligible player. The 27-year-old reliever can be electric at times, but has yet to harness his stuff. He notched a 4.92 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 56.2 innings. Look for him to work in middle relief for the Mets in 2018.

Gearrin agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants on Friday, avoiding arbitration, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The terms of the deal were not made available by the team, but he likely received a slight raise from the $1.05 million he made in the first year of arbitration. Gearrin, who turns 32 in April, notched an impressive 1.99 ERA last season, but his 1.25 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 68 innings suggest that ratio is unsustainable. He will work in the mid-to-late innings again for the Giants in 2018.

Yates agreed to a one-year deal with the Padres on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

The terms of the deal were not made available by the team. Yates, who turns 31 in March, had by far his best year in the majors in 2017, posting a 3.97 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 88 strikeouts in 56.2 innings. He is one of the top options, along with Phil Maton and Carter Capps (shoulder), to compete for saves if closer Brad Hand struggles or gets traded this summer.

Smith (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Giants on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Smith's salary will hold firm after he missed the entire 2017 season following Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old resumed throwing last September and is expected to be ready for Opening Day. He will likely serve as the top lefty in the San Francisco bullpen.

Kontas agreed to a one-year, $2.725 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The right-hander turned in a 1.84 ERA in 15 appearances after coming over to Pittsburgh on a waiver claim in early August, compared to a 3.83 ERA in 50 appearances with San Francisco. He altered his pitch mix a bit after the move and what resulted was fewer walks (1.8 BB/9) and homers allowed (0.61 HR/9). Kontos will likely fill a setup role to begin 2018.

Vizcaino agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the Braves on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

Vizcaino receives a substantial raise over the $1.55 million he earned in his first year of arbitration. He will enter this season as the Braves' closer after going 14-for-17 on save chances last season. Vizcaino is a decent fantasy option for 2018, but the Braves have a plethora of electric arms in their bullpen, in the minors and in their starting rotation, many of whom could profile as potential ninth-inning options at some point in the coming years. He will have to pitch well to hold onto the job.

Nelson (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $3.7 million deal with the Brewers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

This is a bittersweet moment for Nelson, as he had a career year at the perfect time entering his first offseason as an arbitration-eligible player, but is rehabbing from shoulder surgery, which is expected to cost him a good chunk of the 2018 season. The 28-year-old righty pitched like a frontline starter last season, but his lack of a substantial track record and the uncertainty regarding his innings and initial effectiveness this season makes him a late-round dart in fantasy drafts.

Fields agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million deal with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanRagSports.com reports.

He receives a raise over the $1.05 million he made in his first year of arbitration. The 32-year-old righty logged a 2.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 57 innings last season, and should once again serve as one of the Dodgers' top setup options in front of closer Kenley Jansen.

Boxberger agreed to a one-year, $1.85 million deal with the Diamondbacks on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanRagSports.com reports.

Boxberger, who was dealt to Arizona in November from Tampa Bay, receives a slight raise over the $1.6 million he made last year in his first arbitration season. The key for the 29-year-old righty is health, as he has missed a good chunk of time in each of the last two seasons. When healthy, he should act as a bridge to presumed closer Archie Bradley, and could even get into the ninth inning mix if Bradley struggles.

Chafin agreed to a one-year, $1.195 million deal with the Diamondbacks on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

This is the 27-year-old reliever's first offseason as an arbitration-eligible player. The southpaw logged a 3.51 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 51.1 innings last season, and figures to be used in a setup capacity this year.