MLB Player News

Romano agreed to a one-yar, $4.538 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Romano, and he'll receive a significant raise after he recorded 36 saves with a 2.11 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 73:21 K:BB across 64 innings last year. The 29-year-old has been dominant over the past couple seasons and will open 2023 as Toronto's clear-cut closer.

Heuer (elbow) and the Cubs agreed on a one-year, $785,000 contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The right-hander missed the entirety of the 2022 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early March and he will look to make his return to the mound in 2023. Heuer last pitched in 2021, producing a 4.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 56 strikeouts over 67.1 innings in 65 appearances between the White Sox and Cubs.

Beeks signed a one-year, $1.375 million contract with the Rays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The left-hander was excellent for the Rays last season, holding a 2.80 ERA and 70:22 K:BB over 61 innings. The Rays like to use Beeks as an opener and he also has the ability to go multiple innings in relief, if needed.

Pivetta signed a one-year, $5.35 million contract with the Red Sox on Friday to avoid arbitration, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Pivetta recorded a 4.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 2022, though he was still able to strike batters out at an effective rate and made 33 starts for Boston. He has almost never battled injury over the last two seasons, making him a solid rotation piece to have, although consistent production may be harder to ask of him.

Lopez agreed to a one-year, $3.525 million contract with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Lopez had a 1.68 ERA with 19 saves for the Orioles last year before being dealt to the Twins at the trade deadline, but he labored after the trade with a 4.37 ERA. The 29-year-old still received a nice raise for his second season of arbitration eligibility in 2023, but his role is a bit in flux entering spring training after he failed to make a strong first impression with his new team, and he's likely behind Jhoan Duran in the pecking order for saves.

Lopez signed a one-year contract with the White Sox on Friday to avoid arbitration, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Lopez found his groove as a full-time reliever in 2022, holding a 2.76 ERA and 63:11 K:BB over 65.1 innings. He was one of the team's most trusted relievers by the end of the season and could be in the mix for saves in 2023 while Liam Hendriks (cancer) recovers.

Barlow agreed to a one-year, $5.3 million contract with the Royals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Barlow has worked as Kansas City's closer for the past season and a half, and he was effective in 2022 with a 2.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 77:22 K:BB over 74.1 innings. He went 24-for-28 in save chances and should enter 2023 with a firm grip on the closer role, though it's possible new manager Matt Quatraro opts for a more committee-oriented approach.

Soto agreed to a one-year, $3.925 million contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Soto, and he'll receive a significant raise after he posted a 3.34 ERA with 48 saves while working as Detroit's closer for the past two seasons. The 27-year-old was acquired by the Phillies last weekend and is likely to see his save opportunities drop as a member of a closer committee that also features Craig Kimbrel and and Seranthony Dominguez.

Sewald (elbow/heel) agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million contract with the Mariners on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Sewald led Seattle's closing committee last season with 20 saves and a 2.67 ERA across 64 innings, and he'll receive a well-deserved raise from his $1.74 million salary in 2022. The 32-year-old underwent clean-up procedures on his elbow and heel in early December but is expected to be healthy for the start of spring training.

Kittredge (elbow) and the Rays agreed on a one-year, $2.075 million contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kittredge and the team will avoid arbitration after coming together on a deal Friday. The reliever appeared in 17 games with Tampa Bay in 2022, compiling a 3.15 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five saves over 20 innings. Kittredge could return to being a top late-inning option for the Rays in 2023 once he recovers from Tommy John surgery, likely in the summer.