MLB Player News

Baker agreed to a one-year, $1.275 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Baker didn't live up to the expectations the Rays had for him when they traded for him in July, as he put up a 4.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 30.1 innings while working as a setup man. He'll get another chance to redeem himself in 2026, as the Rays are expected to open the campaign with Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta working as a closer committee.

Falter (biceps) agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Falter failed to make a positive first impression with the Royals after being traded from Pittsburgh at the deadline, as he allowed 15 earned runs over just 12 innings before spending the final month of the season on the injured list due to a biceps contusion. He's likely to be fully recovered by the time spring training starts, at which point he'll compete for a spot in Kansas City's rotation.

Isbel (hamstring) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Isbel batted .255 over 135 games last year but otherwise failed to improve at the plate, finishing the season with a .654 OPS alongside four home runs, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored -- all decreases from 2024. With the Royals bringing in Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins during the offseason, Isbel is likely to receive some competition for playing time in the outfield in 2026.

Brown agreed to a one-year, $5.71 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander will receive a well-earned raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Brown positioned himself as Houston's ace in 2025, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 206:57 K:BB across 185.1 innings.

Kelly agreed to a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kelly missed more than a month toward the start of the 2025 season due to a glute strain and struggled to be effective on the mound after returning, finishing the year with a 5.90 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 39.2 frames. He'll take just a $149,000 pay raise as a result and will likely be limited to middle-relief duty until he recaptures his previous form.

Lowe agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe failed to live up to his breakout 2023 campaign again in 2025, ending the season with a .220/.283/.366 slash line alongside 11 homers, 40 RBI and 56 runs scored over 435 plate appearances. He still provides some value as a base-stealing threat, but even his 18 steals this past season marked a three-year low. The 27-year-old has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Pepiot agreed to a one-year, $3.025 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pepiot made a career-high 31 starts for the Rays in 2025 but finished the season with a career-worst 3.86 ERA over 167.2 innings, largely due to his allowing 26 homers. The 28-year-old righty will receive a $2.25 million raise from Tampa Bay during his first year of arbitration eligibility and projects to be one of the top starters in the Rays' rotation in 2026.

Wells agreed to a one-year, $2.45 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The right-hander made his season debut for the Orioles late in 2025 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, and the injury limited his earning potential while heading into his third year of arbitration eligibility. Wells posted a 2.91 ERA over four starts in September and had a 3.64 ERA across 118.2 innings during his last full season in 2023. He's expected to enter spring training as a starter but isn't guaranteed to crack the rotation with the Orioles trading for Shane Baz and signing Zach Eflin (back) this winter. Even if Wells does earn a starting spot, he'll likely have some workload limitations in 2026 while coming off two mostly lost seasons.

Mize agreed to a one-year, $6.15 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The right-hander was a reliable rotation piece for Detroit in 2025, making 28 regular-season starts with a 3.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 139:36 K:BB across 149 innings. He doubled his previous career high with 14 wins and should be a key starter for the Tigers again in 2026.

Meyers agreed to a one-year, $3.55 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Meyers' batting average jumped up from .219 in the 2024 regular season to .292 in 2025, although a calf strain forced him to miss two months and limited him to just three homers, 24 RBI, 53 runs scored and 16 steals in 104 games. The 30-year-old's increased efficiency will grant him a $1.25 million raise for the 2026 campaign, and he'll likely open the year as Houston's everyday center fielder.