MLB Player News

The Astros and Abreu avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.45 million contract Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He was arbitration-eligible for a second time this winter. Abreu's ERA rose to 3.10 ERA during the 2024 regular season, but he notched 100 strikeouts in relief for the second year in a row and will again be a primary setup man ahead of closer Josh Hader in the Houston bullpen in 2025.

Lee agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract with Atlanta on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

The left-hander had a couple short stints in the minors last year but pitched well in 52 appearances for Atlanta with a 2.11 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 76:17 K:BB across 59.2 innings during the 2024 regular season. Lee recorded nine holds and could work more consistently in a setup role in 2025 if he remains effective.

The Nationals and Law avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Law was one of Washington's most reliable relievers in 2024, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:24 K:BB over 90 innings. He could be in the mix for saves in 2025 as things stand right now, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Nationals bring in a closer from outside the organization.

The Giants and Rogers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.25 million contract Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rogers had been arbitration-eligible for a final time this offseason. The side-arming reliever has been one of baseball's busiest bullpen arms over the last several seasons, most recently holding a 2.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 51:6 K:BB over 70.1 innings in 2024.

Puk agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The left-hander began 2024 in the rotation for Miami but suffered a shoulder injury and was shifted back to the bullpen before being traded to Arizona. Puk finished the campaign with a 3.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 88:28 K:BB over 71.1 innings and should be a factor in the late innings for Diamondbacks, though Justin Martinez is the favorite for saves to open 2025.

The White Sox and Murfee (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $780,000 contract Thursday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Murfee was a waiver claim of the White Sox earlier this offseason after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. He had to be pulled off a rehab assignment with elbow soreness in August but was throwing again by the end of the season, so the hope is he enters spring training healthy.

The Red Sox and Crochet avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.8 million contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

There appears to be mutual interest between the Red Sox and Crochet in working out a long-term contract extension, but for now the two sides will settle for avoiding an arbitration hearing. Crochet put up a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 209:33 K:BB over 146 innings in 2024 with the White Sox in his first year as a full-time starter.

Payamps agreed to a one-year, $2.995 million contract with the Brewers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Payamps gave up just three runs (two earned) in 21 innings over the final two months of the 2024 regular season, allowing him to finish the year with a 3.05 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. With Devin Williams now in the Bronx, Trevor Megill is likely the Brewers' new go-to option for saves, though Payamps may be asked to handle the ninth inning at times over the course of the season.

Adam agreed to a one-year, $4.8 million contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

After arriving in San Diego from Tampa Bay at last season's trade deadline, Adam dominated to the tune of a 1.01 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 26.2 innings. As a result, he's been rewarded with a $2.1 million raise and will likely continue to work as a setup man for closer Robert Suarez.

Foley agreed to a one-year, $3.15 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The right-hander receives a significant raise in his first season of arbitration eligibility after recording 28 saves with a 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB across 60 innings during the regular season last year. Foley is the early favorite to close games in 2025, but he's not guaranteed the full-time job due to his shaky control and could end up in a high-leverage committee.