MLB Player News

Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Giants on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The kicker here is that the Giants plan to use Hicks as a starter, which comes as quite a surprise. Hicks' only experience in the majors as a starter came early in 2022 with the Cardinals, when he posted a 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 25:21 K:BB over 26.2 innings. His 204 other big-league appearances have all been in relief, including all 65 last season. The Giants always have the option of eventually moving Hicks back to the bullpen if starting doesn't work out, of course. The 27-year-old held a 3.29 ERA and 81:32 K:BB across 65.2 frames for the Cardinals and Blue Jays in 2023.

VerHagen signed a one-year contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal also includes a player option for a second season and could max out at close to $8 million. It will be the second stint with the Fighters for VerHagen, who pitched for them from 2020-21 before spending the last two seasons with the Cardinals.

Ginkel signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Ginkel has posted consecutive solid seasons, though 2023 marked an apparent breakout. He earned 12 saves and holds and posted a 70:23 K:BB across 65.1 innings. Paul Sewald should be locked into the closer role in Arizona, but Ginkel could be his primary setup man.

Mantiply signed a one-year, $935,000 contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Mantiply lost his role as a high-leverage option out of the Arizona bullpen in 2023, as he posted a 4.62 ERA across 39 frames in the majors. He saw a significant dip in strikeouts and his lack of velocity could continue to lead to inconsistent results.

Thompson signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Thompson struggled for the first half of the 2023 season with the Rays, but he posted a pristine 0.69 ERA and 0.54 WHIP across 13 innings after being picked up by Arizona. While that's a limited sample of success, he projects to play a key role in the Diamondbacks' bullpen this season.

Smith signed a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Mets on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith saw his performance decline in 2023, though he notched a career-high 56.1 innings and 15 combined saves and holds. With Edwin Diaz getting a clean bill of health, Smith projects to occupy a setup role at best in 2024.

Soto signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Soto saw his saves total diminish significantly in 2023 after being traded from Detroit to Philadelphia last offseason. He still managed an impressive 24 holds and also posted an 8.8 percent walk rate -- by far the best mark of his career. Jose Alvarado is the current favorite for the closer role, but with Craig Kimbrel out of the picture, this could be a bullpen to watch in spring training.

Burke signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Burke struggled with the long ball in 2023, serving up 2.0 HR/9 across 59.2 frames. He had a relatively strong 17.2 K-BB%, so he could see some improvement moving forward if he can keep the ball in the yard.

Sborz signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Sborz posted an ugly 5.50 ERA across 52.1 innings in 2023, though that also came with just a 53.8 percent strand rate. He'll need to keep the ball in the yard to be more effective -- he served up 1.4 HR/9 -- but his 66:17 K:BB suggests there is room for improved results. Sborz figures to be a key high-leverage reliever in the Rangers' bullpen in 2024.

Hernandez (shoulder) signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez had a shaky 2023 season, which he split almost exactly evenly between the majors and Triple-A Round Rock. His 4.3 BB/9 and 1.1 HR/9 served as a bad combination, which led to a 5.40 ERA and 1.58 WHIP while in the big leagues. Hernandez was also sidelined in the playoffs due to a shoulder injury, so his health remains in question this offseason.