MLB Player News

Lively signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Guardians to avoid arbitration Friday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Lively was an effective member of the Guardians' rotation in 2024, maintaining a 3.81 ERA with a 118:49 K:BB across 151 innings. He battled some inconsistency due to his contact-heavy approach, but he is a strong candidate to begin the season in the rotation.

Poche was non-tendered by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Poche has been a key high-leverage reliever for the Rays the last several seasons, picking up a combined 65 holds since 2022. He's also posted a WHIP no worse than 1.16 in that span, meaning he should be in relatively high demand on the open market.

The Royals acquired India (ankle) and Joey Wiemer in exchange for Brady Singer on Friday.

India enjoyed a strong 2024 season with the Reds while serving as their primary second baseman. However, with Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand back from injury, there was a projected playing time squeeze along Cincinnati's infield. India should immediately slot into the starting second base job with the Royals ahead of Michael Massey, and he could hit near the top of the order given his career .352 OBP.

Swanson agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson will stick around in Toronto for a third straight season after being acquired from the Mariners in November of 2022. Swanson spent most of the 2024 regular season in the majors, and across 45 outings with the Blue Jays, he posted a 5.03 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 39.1 innings. The 31-year-old will provide right-handed relief out of Toronto's bullpen for the 2025 campaign.

The Reds traded Wiemer and Jonathan India to the Royals on Friday in exchange for Brady Singer.

Wiemer went just 4-for-26 with nine strikeouts in 21 big-league games played between Milwaukee and Cincinnati last season. His performance in the minors wasn't great either, as he slashed .189/.277/.226 in 119 plate appearances with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate after being traded at the deadline. Once regarded as a top prospect in the Brewers' farm system, the 25-year-old Wiemer will look to turn things around with the Royals, though he will likely report to Triple-A Omaha.

Grisham agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Yankees on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Grisham signed a one-year deal with the Yankees in January after spending the last four seasons with the Padres. He appeared in just 76 regular-season games in 2024 while serving in a depth role in the outfield behind Alex Verdugo, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, and Grisham finished with a slash line of .190/.290/.385 with nine home runs and 31 RBI over 208 plate appearances. Grisham could see more playing time in 2025 if Soto and/or Verdugo opt to take their talents elsewhere in free agency, although Jasson Dominguez is expected to move into a starting role to replace one of them.

Topa agreed to a one-year deal with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration.

Topa started the 2024 regular season on the Twins' 15-day injured list due to left patellar tendinitis, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL in late May after an MRI revealed a small tear in his left patellar tendon. Topa managed to return from the injured list Sept. 25, and across three outings he threw 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out two batters and allowing one hit. The 33-year-old right-hander should be good to go for spring training.

Hentges (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $1.337 million contract with the Guardians on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Hentges is set to miss the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in September. His new contract will ensure he remains with the Guardians organization for the duration of his rehab process, and the 28-year-old will look to return for the start of 2026.

Rivera agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Orioles on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Rivera slashed .313/.370/.578 with four homers and 14 RBI in 73 plate appearances after joining the Orioles in August -- good enough to earn him a $260,000 pay increase for 2025. Though he's played well in his brief Orioles tenure, the 28-year-old is expected to fill a reserve role next season.

Tonkin agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Tonkin started the 2024 regular season on the Twins' roster, then spent stints with the Mets and Yankees before finishing the year back in Minnesota after being claimed off waivers in late August. He appeared in 57 games between the three organizations, posting a 3.63 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 79.1 innings while primarily serving in a middle relief role.