MLB Player News

The Mets have privately indicated infielder Ruben Tejada should garner most of his playing time on the days when starting pitcher Jonathon Niese is on the mound because Niese induces more grounders than the other starters, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN.

Wilmer Flores is expected to be the team's starting shortstop, barring a trade to bring in a shortstop. Although, Mets manager Terry Collins has indicated Tejada will still be in the mix for the starting job this spring.

While Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford had career highs in runs (54), triples (10), home runs (10) and RBI (69) in 2014, he still only hit .246 in 153 games. Crawford really struggled against right-handed pitchers, batting .213 as opposed to .320 against lefties.

Still, the Giants appear hopeful Crawford could be an impact player in 2015, per MLB.com.

"We really feel he's coming into his own," general manager Brian Sabean said, declaring that he envisions "an All-Star-type season" from Crawford.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy outlined the plans he has for the batting order in 2015, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

He expects Angel Pagan to hit leadoff. He will be followed by Joe Panik, Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Casey McGehee, Norichika Aoki and Brandon Crawford. The pitcher will hit ninth.

The Giants and shortstop Brandon Crawford avoided arbitration Tuesday, agreeing to a $3.175 million salary for 2015, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Crawford, who is in his first year of arbitration, made $560,000 in 2014.

Crawford just finished his fourth season in the majors and third full season in 2014. He had career highs in triples (10), home runs (10), runs (54), RBI (69), walks (59) and games played (153).

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford has filed for $3.95 million in arbitration, with the team offering $2.4 million, Fangraphs reports.

Crawford is in his first year of arbitration eligibility but has already been part of two World Series championship teams. He hit .246/.324/.389 with 10 home runs and 69 RBI in 491 at-bats in 2014.

The Mets reached a settlement with starting pitcher Dillon Gee and shortstop Ruben Tejada prior to Friday's arbitration deadline, reports ESPN. Gee agreed to a one-year deal, worth $5.3 million, while Tejada settled for $1.88 million.

Jenrry Mejia and Lucas Duda did not reach an agreement before the 1 p.m. deadline.

The Marlins and starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a $4 million salary for 2015, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

They also avoided arbitration with shortstop Dee Gordon and closer Steve Cishek. Gordon is set to make $2.5 million and Cishek will make $6.65 million in 2015.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson hasn't rushed into a move this offseason to acquire a shortstop, and it appears the team will head to spring training with Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada vying for the starting shortstop job.

"We’ve continued to have conversations, but nothing is likely to occur," Alderson told the New York Post.

The Diamondbacks announced Sunday night they avoided arbitration with infielder Cliff Pennington, agreeing to a one-year deal. Pennington is expected to earn $3.275 million in 2015, according to ESPN.

The Cubs selected Rockies pitcher Taylor Featherston in Thursday's Rule 5 draft. The Cubs then traded Featherston to the Angels.

The 25-year-old Featherston hit .260 with 16 home runs, 33 doubles and 57 RBI in 127 games for Double-A Tulsa in 2014. He has a .276/.346/.457/.802 slash line in 397 career games.