MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks and Sewald avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.35 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's Sewald's final year of arbitration eligibility, as he's currently slated to hit the free-agent market next offseason. The 33-year-old held a 3.12 ERA and 80:24 K:BB over 60.2 frames while notching 34 saves between the Mariners and Diamondbacks in 2023. With an unquestioned closer gig heading into 2024, Sewald's fantasy arrow is pointing up.

Antone (elbow) signed a one-year, $830,000 contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Tommy John surgery kept Antone sidelined last season until the beginning of September, and right elbow tendinitis ended his campaign after just five appearances. Antone looked good when he was able to pitch, surrendering one run in 5.2 innings while striking out seven batters.

The Reds and Fraley avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.15 million contract Thursday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

It's Fraley's first year of arbitration eligibility and he'll get a nice raise after posting a .783 OPS with 15 homers and 21 steals over 111 games for Cincinnati in 2023. The 28-year-old remains injury prone and can't hit lefties, but he should be an asset again for the Reds against righties this season. Fraley had toe surgery in October but is expected to be ready to roll for spring training.

Gomber (back) signed a one-year, $3.15 million contract with the Rockies on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Gomber finished 2023 with a 5.50 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through 139 innings, but his numbers became much more respectable when pitching away from Coors Field (3.68 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 63.2 frames). The 30-year-old southpaw missed the final month of the season due to back inflammation, and the Rockies have yet to offer an update on his status during the offseason.

The Marlins and Luzardo avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.5 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo is in his second year of arbitration eligibility and will receive a much-deserved raise. The left-hander posted a 3.58 ERA in 32 starts for Miami in 2023, finishing with a 208:55 K:BB over 178.2 innings. Luzardo has been mentioned as a possible trade chip, but it would take a haul to pry him away from the Marlins.

Merryweather signed a $1.175 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

In his first season with the Cubs, Merryweather turned in the best year of his career with a 3.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 72 innings while picking up two saves and 17 holds. The 32-year-old earns a $438,000 raise in his first arbitration year, and he appears in position to continue serving in a setup role for Adbert Alzolay.

Stephenson agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million deal with the Reds on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson avoided concussions in 2023 en route to a career-high 517 plate appearances -- the first time he's topped 402 plate appearances in a season. He slashed .243/.317/.378 with 13 home runs in 142 games, but given the Reds' improved depth, he will likely see significantly fewer starts at designated hitter (43 games in 2023) in 2024.

Suter agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Reds on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal comes with a $3.5 million club option ($500K buyout) for 2025. Suter goes from the worst pitcher's park in baseball (Coors Field) to the second- or third-worst pitcher's park in Cincinnati. He has logged an ERA under 3.80 in five consecutive seasons and seven of his eight big-league seasons. Suter is one of the better middle relievers to pick up wins with, but he has one career save.

The Reds and Sims avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.85 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It was the reliever's third and final year of arbitration eligibility. Sims managed to stay healthy and pitch well for Cincinnati this past season, collecting a 3.10 ERA and three saves to go along with a 72:39 K:BB over 61 innings. He'll likely be relied upon for high-leverage outings again in 2024.

The Cubs and Steele avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's a substantial raise for Steele after he qualified for Super 2 status. The left-handed earned the salary bump after finishing fifth in the National League Cy Young voting in 2023 following a 3.06 ERA and 176:36 K:BB across 173.1 innings covering 30 starts.