MLB Player News

The Astros and Abreu avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.45 million contract Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He was arbitration-eligible for a second time this winter. Abreu's ERA rose to 3.10 ERA during the 2024 regular season, but he notched 100 strikeouts in relief for the second year in a row and will again be a primary setup man ahead of closer Josh Hader in the Houston bullpen in 2025.

Manoah (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Following a delayed start to the season, Manoah was able to turn in a 3.70 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 24.1 innings before a sprained UCL ended his campaign early in late May. The 27-year-old underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure to address the issue in June and is targeting August for his return to a big-league mound in 2025.

The Rays and Rortvedt avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.125 million contract Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter. Rortvedt led Rays catchers with 328 plate appearances in 2024 but is slated to take a back seat to Danny Jansen in 2025.

The White Sox and Murfee (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $780,000 contract Thursday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Murfee was a waiver claim of the White Sox earlier this offseason after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. He had to be pulled off a rehab assignment with elbow soreness in August but was throwing again by the end of the season, so the hope is he enters spring training healthy.

Vaughn signed a one-year, $5.85 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Vaughn had a career-worst .699 OPS over 149 games in 2024 but will still receive a sizable raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 26-year-old should open 2025 as Chicago's primary first baseman, but his opportunities could shrink if he continues to regress.

Houck agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million contract with the Red Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

After logging a 5.01 ERA in 2023, Houck bounced back with a 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP last season while also posting a 154:48 K:BB over 178.2 frames. His improvement will earn him a $3.18 million raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility, and the 28-year-old righty is expected to follow new acquisition Garrett Crochet atop the Red Sox's rotation.

The Red Sox and Crochet avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.8 million contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

There appears to be mutual interest between the Red Sox and Crochet in working out a long-term contract extension, but for now the two sides will settle for avoiding an arbitration hearing. Crochet put up a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 209:33 K:BB over 146 innings in 2024 with the White Sox in his first year as a full-time starter.

The Orioles and Bradish (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.35 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

It's a nice raise for Bradish, who qualified for arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 player. The right-hander will be sidelined until around midseason of 2025 while continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace.

The Orioles and Kremer avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.95 million contract Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Kremer had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The right-hander collected a 4.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 123:51 K:BB across 129.2 frames covering 24 regular-season starts with the Orioles in 2024 and will be part of their rotation again in 2025.

The Tigers and Vierling avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.005 million contract Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It's a substantial pay increase for Vierling, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time. The super-utility player hit .257/.312/.423 with 16 home runs across 144 games for Detroit in 2024 and should see close to everyday playing time again in 2025.