MLB Player News

Baez went 0-for-2 and played four innings at shortstop in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Baez batted third, behind Robbie Grossman and Riley Greene, with Jonathan Schoop following that trio. Baez will be a focal point of Detroit's offensive attack this year, and while he's a bit of a free swinger (33.6 percent strikeout rate in 2021), he should still post good counting stats. The 29-year-old should also be back at shortstop on a regular basis after playing at second base next to Francisco Lindor when he joined the Mets at the trade deadline last season.

Story agreed to a contract with the Red Sox on Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Story will receive $140 million over six years with the Red Sox, and the deal includes an opt out after the 2025 season, which Boston can negate by picking up a seventh year for the contract. Xander Bogaerts has been locked in as Boston's shortstop since 2014 and will remain at the position, per Jim Bowden of The Athletic, though Story is viewed as the superior defender. Regardless of how the pair is positioned between shortstop and second base, the team now features one of the best middle infield pairings in the league. Story hit .251/.329/.471 with 24 home runs, 88 runs, 75 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 142 games last season in Colorado and will continue his career with Boston as its new second baseman.

Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers due to ankle soreness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith was initially slated to start at second base against Milwaukee, but he never took the field due to his ankle injury. The move is mainly considered precautionary, so it's possible that the 24-year-old will be back in action within a few days.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring game against Kansas City.

The Rangers showcased their major offseason acquisitions Friday with Seager batting second behind Marcus Semien at leadoff. Each made his Cactus League debut. Seager had his most plate appearances in 2021 out of the two-hole for the Dodgers.

Correa signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Correa's deal with Minnesota comes as a surprise, as the 27-year-old had been linked to multiple contenders and larger-market teams in free agency -- the Twins don't seem to fit either description -- after turning down a five-year, $160 million contract from Houston in November, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports. However, he'll join the Twins on a deal that includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons with a $35.1 million annual salary that is the highest for any infielder in MLB history, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Correa spent the first seven years of his career with the Astros and appeared in 148 games during the 2021 campaign, slashing .279/.366/.485 with a career-high 26 homers and 104 runs to go with 92 RBI. The Twins traded for Gio Urshela last weekend, but the former Yankee will now have to compete with Luis Arraez for playing time at third base or settle into a utility role.

Marte (lower leg), the Mariners' No. 2 prospect, will see regular playing time during Cactus League games per manager Scott Servais, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Marte finished 2021, his first professional season, at High-A Everett, slashing .290/.333/.419 over eight contest after a productive 99-game tenure at Low-A Modesto. The 20-year-old shortstop is a significant part of the organization's long-term plans, so even though Seattle would reportedly like to add one more impact pitcher, it would be highly hesitant to part with Marte, who's primed to gain some valuable seasoning against big-league arms in spring training.

Witt is viewed as the Royals' Opening Day third baseman, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Witt came up through the minors primarily as a shortstop, but Adalberto Mondesi is expected to begin the season there. Instead, Witt could open his major-league career at the hot corner, which is a slightly less demanding position defensively. Mondesi logged some time at third base last season as well -- the Royals' lineup features a lot of flexibility around the infield. Witt split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season, combining for a .290/.361/.576 slash line, 33 home runs, 29 stolen bases, 97 RBI and 99 runs scored across 123 games.

Mondesi is viewed as the Royals' top shortstop heading into the 2022 season, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mondesi struggled through another injury-plagued campaign last year. He was limited to just 35 games, where he slashed .230/.271/.452 with 15 stolen bases and six home runs. He moved around the infield at times and settled in as the third baseman by the end of 2021. With the versatile Whit Merrifield available, the Royals have plenty of different looks they can roll out -- if Mondesi is the primary shortstop throughout the season, Nicky Lopez would likely play second base and top prospect Bobby Witt could be begin his major-league career at the hot corner.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Pena is the current frontrunner for the team's starting shortstop job as Opening Day approaches, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Baker added that Diaz will factor into the discussion at shortstop as well, but both Pena and Diaz may just be keeping the position warm for free agent Carlos Correa, whom the Astros continue to meet with about potentially re-signing with the team. Pena has yet to make his MLB debut, but he's a top prospect in the Houston system who turned in an impressive debut season at Triple-A Sugar Land in 2021. Though he didn't debut for Sugar Land until late August after he was sidelined to begin last year while recovering from wrist surgery, Pena posted a .944 OPS while going 5-for-6 on the basepaths and striking out in 26.3 percent of his 133 plate appearances.

Smith, Gunnar Hoglund, Zach Logue and Kirby Snead were traded from the Blue Jays to the Athletics on Wednesday in exchange for Matt Chapman, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Smith got his first taste of major-league action in 2021 and hit .094 with a solo homer and two runs across 18 games. In spite of his growing pains during his first stint in the majors, he was productive at Triple-A Buffalo last year, slashing .285/.370/.561 with 21 home runs, 69 RBI, 65 runs and 18 stolen bases. Even if he begins the 2022 campaign in the minors, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to the big leagues at some point this year.