MLB Player News

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.

Holderman signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Pirates on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Despite missing several weeks in August with a wrist injury, 2024 marked the best season of Holderman's three-year career. He finished the year with a 3.16 ERA and 1.31 WHIP alongside a 56:25 K:BB over 51.1 innings and is likely to reprise his role as a setup man in 2025.

The Blue Jays and Sandlin avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.63 million contract Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca report.

Acquired from the Guardians via trade in December, Sandlin was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He held a 3.75 ERA and 68:27 K:BB across 57.2 innings with Cleveland in 2024.

Helsley agreed to a one-year, $8.2 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

After leading the majors with 49 saves last season, Helsley has officially earned himself a $4.4 million raise heading into his final year of team control. The 30-year-old reliever also finished 2024 with a 2.04 ERA and 1.10 WHIP alongside a 79:23 K:BB, and he projects as one of the top fantasy closers entering the new year.

The Twins and Duran avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.125 million contract Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

Duran had an elevated 3.64 ERA but a quality 66:15 K:BB over 54.1 innings of work with the Twins in 2024. He is at the top of the pecking order for saves again in 2025, although manager Rocco Baldelli isn't shy about using other relievers to close games on occasion.

Vest and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Vest enjoyed a career-best season out of the Detroit bullpen in 2024, turning in a 2.82 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 63:18 K:BB in 70.1 regular-season innings while gathering three wins, two saves and 14 holds. The Tigers' closing situation isn't settled heading into 2025, but Vest likely won't be manager A.J. Hinch's top choice for save situations and is expected to continue seeing the bulk of his opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings.