MLB Player News

Thornton signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Thornton proved to be a valuable addition to Seattle's bullpen after he was traded from Toronto in July. He logged a 2.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through 26 innings with the Mariners and figures to be used often in high-leverage situations in 2024.

The Mariners and Topa avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.25 million contract Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Topa was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 32-year-old had a breakout season with the Mariners in 2023, posting a 2.61 ERA and 61:18 K:BB over 69 innings. He will handle high-leverage situations for Seattle again in 2024.

Suter agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Reds on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal comes with a $3.5 million club option ($500K buyout) for 2025. Suter goes from the worst pitcher's park in baseball (Coors Field) to the second- or third-worst pitcher's park in Cincinnati. He has logged an ERA under 3.80 in five consecutive seasons and seven of his eight big-league seasons. Suter is one of the better middle relievers to pick up wins with, but he has one career save.

The Reds and Sims avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.85 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It was the reliever's third and final year of arbitration eligibility. Sims managed to stay healthy and pitch well for Cincinnati this past season, collecting a 3.10 ERA and three saves to go along with a 72:39 K:BB over 61 innings. He'll likely be relied upon for high-leverage outings again in 2024.

The Astros and Abreu avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's a well-earned raise for Abreu, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The hard-throwing reliever has been dominant for Houston over the last two seasons, posting a 1.84 ERA and 188:57 K:BB across 132.1 innings. If anything happens to closer Ryan Pressly, Abreu would be next in line.

Romero agreed to a one-year contact with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

The 27-year-old southpaw is coming off his best big-league season, in which he registered a 3.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 36.2 innings. Romero should work as the Cardinals' top lefty reliever in 2024.

King agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

The 29-year-old lefty has seen his strikeout rate decline in three consecutive seasons, while his WHIP has gone up for three years in a row. He is a left-handed groundball specialist who has more real-life value than fantasy value.

Kittredge agreed to a one-year, $2.63 million deal with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

He was just traded to St. Louis from Tampa Bay last week in exchange for Richie Palacios, so naturally the two sides came to an agreement. Kittredge, who has been limited to 31.2 innings over the last two seasons due to injury, should work in a setup capacity for the Cardinals. He has 15 saves in 96 appearances over the past four seasons.

The Rockies and Lambert avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million contract Thursday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Lambert receives a nice little raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander's 2023 season ended with a 5.36 ERA and biceps tendinitis, but he should be healthy for the start of spring training.

Hernandez agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 26-year-old righty has a career 4.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 126 strikeouts in 123 innings as a reliever after not panning out as a starter. Hernandez notched four saves and averaged 99 mph on his fastball last season, but he probably won't be the go-to option at closer, barring several injuries ahead of him on the depth chart.