MLB Player News

The Twins and Jeffers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.7 million contract Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

It's a nice raise for Jeffers, who was in his final year of arbitration eligibility ahead of free agency next winter. The 28-year-old catcher slashed .266/.356/.397 with nine home runs across 464 plate appearances with the Twins in 2025. With Christian Vazquez not expected to return, Jeffers is set to be the clear No. 1 catcher for Minnesota in 2026.

The Rangers signed Murphy to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Murphy began the 2025 season in the minors with the Rangers before finishing the year in Korea with the KT Wiz. The 30-year-old reliever holds a career 4.76 ERA and 38:20 K:BB over 39.2 innings at the major-league level and has not pitched in MLB since 2022 with the Nationals.

The Twins and Jackson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

He'll get a little pay bump in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Jackson was acquired via trade from the Orioles in November and is set to serve as the Twins' backup catcher in 2026 behind starter Ryan Jeffers.

The Twins and Sands avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Sands had been in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old finished 2025 with a 4.50 ERA and 64:19 K:BB over 72 innings, collecting three saves along the way. Sands is in the mix for save chances with the Twins in 2026.

Smith (quadriceps) signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

Smith missed nearly the entire second half of the 2025 season due to a combination of oblique and quadriceps injuries. He'll likely begin the 2026 campaign on the strong side of a platoon at first base, assuming he returns to good health.

Puk (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

Puk was limited to only eight appearances in 2025 and underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June. He's expected to miss most of 2026 but might be able to contribute down the stretch if he can avoid any setbacks in his rehab program.

Nelson and the Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI.com reports.

Nelson was arbitration eligible for the first time and is set for a $2.2 million raise from last season. He posted career-best results in 2025 and is poised to be a key member of Arizona's rotation for the upcoming campaign.

McCarthy agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Diamondbacs to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

McCarthy has been mentioned as a trade candidate this offseason, but he's stuck with the Diamondbacks thus far. He currently projects to serve on the strong side of a platoon in left field, though he'll need to improve significantly to retain that role after posting a 60 wRC+ across 222 plate appearances in 2025.

Ginkel (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks of SI reports.

Ginkel is in the final year of arbitration eligibility, and he earned a modest raise of $300,000 from 2025. He was shut down for the season in early August, and it's unclear whether he'll be ready to throw at the start of spring training. If healthy, he should be in the closer mix for Arizona.

Assad and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million deal to avoid arbitration Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Assad was eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career, and he'll get a $1 million raise relative to his 2025 salary. He missed most of last year with an oblique injury and looks likely to begin the new campaign working out of the bullpen, barring significant injuries to the Cubs' rotation.