MLB Player News

The Mariners and Kirby avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.3 million contract Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

It's a substantial raise for Kirby, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier. The right-hander collected a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 179:23 K:BB over 191 innings covering 33 starts for Seattle in 2024.

The Mariners claimed Jay off waivers from the Brewers on Thursday.

Jay had been designated for assignment and has now found a new home. The left-handed reliever made it to the majors at 30 for the first time in 2024, allowing five runs (four earned) over five appearances between the Mets and Brewers.

Anderson agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract with the White Sox on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Anderson returned to the majors for the first time in five years last season, finishing 2024 with a 4.39 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 53.1 frames. While his numbers don't exactly jump off the stat sheet, the right-hander's experience could allow him to be one of the White Sox's go-to options in high-leverage situations, as Chicago projects to have a very young and thin bullpen.

Pena agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million contract with the Astros to avoid arbitration Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pena will receive a nice raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility after serving as Houston's primary shortstop since making his debut in 2022. The 27-year-old posted 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases with a .266/.308/.394 slash line over 157 games in the 2024 regular season.

Clement agreed to a one-year, $1.975 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

In his first full major-league season, Clement slashed .263/.284/.408 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI over 452 plate appearances while also swiping 12 bags. The 28-year-old doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he remains in a good position to open the season as either the primary third baseman or utility player.

Gilbert agreed to a one-year, $7.625 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The right-hander led MLB with 208.2 innings last season and had a 3.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 220:37 K:BB as he made a career-high 33 starts. Gilbert picked up just nine wins despite his strong performance, but he has quickly established himself as one of the more reliable pitchers in baseball with a 3.60 ERA in 121 starts through his first four big-league seasons.

The Red Sox and Crawford avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Crawford reached Super 2 status, so he will receive a substantial pay bump. The right-hander made 33 starts for the Red Sox in 2024, finishing with a 4.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 175:51 K:BB across 183.2 frames. Crawford should open the season in Boston's rotation, though he could be the odd man out depending how the rest of the offseason and spring training unfold.

Taveras agreed to a one-year, $4.75 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The 26-year-old played in a career-high 151 games last season but had an underwhelming .229/.289/.352 slash line with 12 home runs and 23 stolen bases. Taveras is likely to begin 2025 as Texas' No. 4 outfielder, assuming Evan Carter (back), Wyatt Langford and Adolis Garcia (knee) can stay healthy.

The Astros and Meyers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's a substantial pay bump for Meyers, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time. The outfielder slashed .219/.286/.360 with 13 homers and 11 steals over 148 regular-season games for Houston in 2024 and should operate as its primary center fielder again to open 2025.

Isbel agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Isbel will receive a $1 million raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility after slashing .229/.287/.367 with 42 RBI and 11 stolen bases across 136 regular-season games last year. While he is expected to start regularly in the outfield again in 2025, the 27-year-old's career-long lack of offensive production means he can be safely left off fantasy managers' radar.