MLB Player News

The Angels and Sandoval avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.025 million contract Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's a sizable raise for Sandoval, who was in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander experienced a breakout in 2022 but regressed to a 4.11 ERA and 128:74 K:BB over 144.2 frames in 2023. He'll be seeking more consistency in 2024.

Weaver signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Weaver bounced around between the Reds, Mariners and Yankees last season with limited overall success. However, he logged a 3.38 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 13.1 innings with New York, so the Yankees will bring Weaver back as a potential option at the back end of the rotation.

Cease signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Cease followed up his impressive 2022 campaign with a disappointing 2023, posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP alongside a 214:79 K:BB through 177 innings. Despite his decline, Cease remains a likely candidate to be traded for prospects prior to or during the season as the White Sox continue their rebuild.

The Astros and Urquidy avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.75 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Urquidy was eligible for arbitration for the second time. The right-hander had a down 2023 campaign that was sabotaged by injury, as he finished with a 5.29 ERA over 63 innings. He wouldn't seem to be guaranteed a rotation spot heading into 2024.

McClanahan (elbow) signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

McClanahan underwent Tommy John surgery in August, making it unlikely he pitches at all in 2024. However, if the 26-year-old lefty is able to return this season, he would add an extra $120,000 to his 2025 salary for every start he makes.

Skubal and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $2.65 million deal Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

This is obviously a massive value for Detroit, as Skubal pitched like a frontline starter after returning from injury last season. The 27-year-old lefty logged a 2.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 80.1 innings across 15 starts.

The Guardians and Bieber avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $13.125 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Bieber had been projected as one of the highest earners via the arbitration process in what was his final year of eligibility. The veteran right-hander posted a 3.80 ERA and 107:34 K:BB over 128 innings covering 21 starts for Cleveland in 2023. His stuff and strikeouts have been ticking down and he missed time with an elbow injury last season, but Bieber will be healthy heading into spring training.

The Rangers and Dunning avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.325 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

It was Dunning's first year of arbitration eligibility, so he will receive a well-earned raise. The right-hander collected a 3.70 ERA over 172.2 innings for Texas in 2023, putting up a 140:55 K:BB along the way. Dunning will be a key part of the Rangers' rotation again in 2024, particularly for the first half of the season while the club waits on multiple other starters to get healthy.

The Mariners and Gilbert avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.05 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Gilbert is a Super 2 qualifier, so he'll get a nice raise. The right-hander boasts a 3.76 ERA and 491:113 K:BB over 495.2 innings covering 88 starts during his three seasons in Seattle. He'll be part of what should be another strong Mariners rotation again in 2024.

The Orioles and Means avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.325 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Means missed most of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, but he'll still receive a little salary bump in his third and final year of arbitration eligibility. The veteran left-hander will enter his walk year with a clean bill of health.