MLB Player News

Alonso signed a one-year, $20.5 million contract with the Mets on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Alonso is in the final year of arbitration eligibility and saw his salary jump $6 million from 2023. He's proven to be one of the most consistent power producers across five full seasons in the majors, reaching 40 homers in each of the last two campaigns and three times overall. Assuming he and the Mets don't agree to an extension, Alonso will hit free agency next offseason.

Houser signed a one-year, $5.05 million contract with the Mets on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The Mets acquired Houser from the Brewers in late December, and he projects to serve as rotation depth in 2024. In a similar role for Milwaukee in 2023, he posted a 4.12 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 111.1 frames. While those are pedestrian numbers, Houser did manage to reach a 20 percent strikeout rate for the first time since 2019.

Morejon signed a one-year contract with the Padres on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Elbow and knee injuries limited Morejon to just eight big-league appearances last season. The 24-year-old southpaw surrendered seven earned runs over nine innings when healthy and will likely return to a middle-relief role to begin 2024.

Higashioka signed a one-year contract with the Padres on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Higashioka joined the Padres as part of the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees in December. Higashioka slashed .236/.274/.413 with 34 RBI across 242 plate appearances last season, and he seems destined for a backup role behind Luis Campusano with the Padres.

De Los Santos signed a one-year contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

The Guardians sent De Los Santos to San Diego earlier in the offseason in exchange for Scott Barlow. De Los Santos emerged as a reliable bullpen arm, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across two seasons in Cleveland, and he figures to be used fairly often in high-leverage situations with his new club.

Gilbreath (elbow) signed a one-year contract with the Rockies on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Gilbreath missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March, and his absence could extend into the early part of the 2024 campaign. The 27-year-old southpaw holds a 3.78 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 85.2 career MLB innings.

Peterson (hip) signed a one-year, $2.15 million contract with the Mets on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Peterson underwent hip surgery in November and is expected to miss roughly the first two months of the season. Despite his procedure and 5.03 ERA from a season ago, Peterson will receive a $1.4 million raise. Given the offseason additions of Sean Manaea and Adrian Houser, Peterson likely won't be guaranteed a rotation spot once healthy.

Taylor signed a one-year, $2.025 million contract with the Mets on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Taylor arrived in New York with Adrian Houser through a trade that sent Coleman Crow (elbow) to Milwaukee in December. Taylor slashed .239/.294/.451 in five seasons with the Brewers and projects to serve as a fourth outfielder for the Mets -- much like he was in Milwaukee.

King signed a one-year, $3.15 million contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

King was traded to San Diego in December as part of the deal that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees, and he's now officially under contract for the new season. King was moved from the bullpen into the Yankees' rotation toward the end of last season, allowing him to pitch a career-high 104.2 innings while still maintaining a 2.75 ERA. The 28-year-old righty will most likely remain a starter as he begins his tenure as a Padre.

The Diamondbacks and Walker avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.9 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a nice raise for the first baseman in what was his final year of arbitration eligibility. Walker struggled in the postseason for Arizona but had another terrific regular season, slugging 30-plus home runs for the second year in a row while reaching the 100-RBI mark for the first time.