MLB Player News

Morgan agreed to a contract with the Cubs to avoid arbitration Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs acquired Morgan from the Guardians on Wednesday, and he should serve as a key member of their bullpen in 2025. He's suffered from some inconsistency during four big-league seasons, though he posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 42 innings in 2024.

Thaiss signed a one-year deal with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After the Angels designated Thaiss for assignment Nov. 14, he was traded to the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Unless the Cubs make another move in the offseason, Thaiss is projected to serve as the backup catcher to Miguel Amaya. Thaiss slashed .204/.323/.299 with two home runs and 16 RBI over 186 plate appearances during the 2024 regular season with the Angels.

Thompson agreed to a contract with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson has bounced between Triple-A Iowa and the big leagues for the last two seasons, but he was effective out of the bullpen across 30.1 innings for the Cubs in 2024 by maintaining a 2.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His control (14.2 BB%) will likely keep him from a high-leverage role, but he should contribute as a reliever in 2025.

Stubbs signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration.

The 31-year-old will serve as the Phillies' backup catcher behind J.T. Realmuto for a fourth straight season in 2025. Stubbs finished the 2024 regular season with a .207/.296/.262 slash line, five stolen bases, one home run and 11 RBI over 186 plate appearances.

The Guardians traded Strzelecki to the Pirates on Friday in exchange for cash.

The right-hander was designated for assignment Tuesday in order to make room for Franco Aleman on the Guardians' 40-man roster, but Strzelecki will now claim a spot on Pittsburgh's 40-man instead. The 30-year-old put up a 5.01 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 46.2 innings in the minors last season, and he will compete for a spot in the Pirates' bullpen during spring training.

Rainey was non-tendered by the Nationals on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Rainey is coming off his first full campaign since undergoing Tommy John surgery. He understandably showed rust early on in 2024, but he managed a 2.88 ERA with a 22:11 K:BB across 25 innings following the All-Star break. That makes Friday's move mildly surprising, though Rainey should have the chance to latch onto another big-league roster.

Merryweather (knee) agreed to a one-year, $1.225 million contract with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Merryweather missed the majority of last season due to rib and knee injuries. He wasn't very effective when healthy, logging a 6.60 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 15 innings. He'll officially stick around for another year in Chicago, though there is still no word on if he'll be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery on his right knee in late September.

The Royals traded Singer to the Reds on Friday in exchange for Jonathan India (ankle) and Joey Wiemer.

After posting a 5.52 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 2023, Singer bounced back nicely with a 3.71 ERA and 1.27 WHIP to go along with a 170:54 K:BB in 2024. Now in Cincinnati, the 28-year-old shouldn't have much trouble securing a spot in the Reds' starting rotation, which is currently headlined by Hunter Greene.

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

The 30-year-old finished the 2024 campaign as a regular in Colorado's outfield, so it's not a major surprise he was tendered a contract for 2025. Hilliard played in 58 big-league games and had 10 home runs with a .239/.305/.507 slash line, though he also struck out at a 35.4 percent clip.

Gilbreath agreed to a one-year, $785,000 contract with the Rockies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Injuries limited Gilbreath to just three big-league appearances in 2024, during which he allowed six earned runs in only one total inning. He'll presumably be ready for the start of the new season and look to bounce back with a season that more accurately reflects his career 4.36 ERA.