MLB Player News

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.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been working out at the EXOS performance institute in Arizona, the facility where second baseman Dustin Pedroia trains every offseason. ESPN.com says Bogaerts feels he's pushed himself more than ever before, "and the results are showing."

"This is probably the strongest I’ve ever felt going into a season -- and by far,” Bogaerts said, via the website. “I’m definitely real excited for the season.”

Bogaerts, 22, had an up-and-down 2014 season, his first full year in the majors. He finished at .240 with 12 homers and 46 RBI in 144 games.

He'll spend a few more weeks training in Arizona before reporting to spring training.

“I kind of never challenged my body to lift heavier weights because I’ve always tried to kind of maintain the same,” Bogaerts said. “Getting the knowledge from those kind of guys and just trusting the whole system that they have over there and just pushing your body, it’s really a difference than any years I’ve had in the past.

“It was mostly gym and conditioning and speed and stuff like that, power and speed. It was definitely something that I really enjoyed.”

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.

The Royals announced they secured outright waivers to infielder Ryan Jackson on Wednesday. He will be assigned to Triple-A.

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 Royals have designated for assignment middle infielder Ryan Jackson to make room on their roster for pitcher Edinson Volquez.

Jackson has 24 at-bats in the major leagues, but none in 2014.

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.