MLB Player News

The Dodgers and Ferguson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's a nice salary bump for Ferguson, who was eligible for salary arbitration for the final time. The left-handed reliever collected a 3.43 ERA and 70:23 K:BB across 60.1 frames with the Dodgers in 2023.

The Marlins and Puk avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8 million contract Thursday, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

It was Puk's first year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander saved 15 games while posting a 3.97 ERA and 78:13 K:BB over 56.2 innings in 2023. The Marlins plan to send Puk to camp as a starter, but the odds of him returning to relief would appear high.

Atlanta and Fried avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $15 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The was Fried's final year of arbitration eligibility, as he's currently slated for free agency next offseason. He was limited to 14 starts in 2023 because of injury but was terrific when healthy, holding a 2.55 ERA and 80:18 K:BB over 77.2 innings of work. Fried will enter spring training with no restrictions.

The Cardinals and Carlson (ankle) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.35 million contract Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carlson was arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 25-year-old had a second straight injury-shortened, disappointing season in 2023 which ended with ankle surgery. Carlson should be at or close to 100 percent for spring training and is slated to operate as a fourth outfielder in St. Louis.

The Giants and Estrada avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.7 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Estrada was eligible for salary arbitration for the second time. The 27-year-old infielder has emerged as a quality regular in San Francisco, posting a .727 OPS with 28 homers and 44 steals over the last two seasons. Estrada currently looks pegged to be the team's everyday second baseman, but he offers the versatility to bounce around, if needed.

The Cubs and Alzolay avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.11 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's a nice little raise for Alzolay, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 28-year-old emerged as the Cubs' closer in 2023, saving 22 games while posting a 2.67 ERA and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings. Provided Chicago doesn't add a closer from outside the organization, Alzolay is in line to serve in that role again in 2024.

The Nationals and Thomas avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.45 million contract Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It was his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old had a breakout season for the Nationals in 2023, slashing .268/.315/.468 with 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He's poised to be the Nats' everyday right fielder in 2024.

The Brewers and Bauers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Bauers was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this offseason. Acquired in November from the Yankees, Bauers currently looks slated to serve as the long side of a platoon at first base in Milwaukee. He posted a .693 OPS with 12 homers and a 34.9 percent strikeout rate in 2023 with New York.

The Dodgers and Buehler avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8.025 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's the same salary Buehler received in 2023 when he missed the entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old was eligible for arbitration for the final time, as he's currently slated to hit free agency next winter. Buehler did begin a rehab assignment in September and is slated to be ready to roll for Opening Day, although workload restrictions are likely.

Rios (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Rios has spent parts of six seasons in the big leagues, collecting a 6.32 ERA over 92 appearances. The right-hander underwent shoulder surgery in July and it's not clear whether he'll be 100 percent at the start of spring training.