MLB Player News

Palacios signed a one-year, $945,000 contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Palacios appeared in just 17 games for the Rays in 2025 due to finger, knee and hamstring injuries, but he made the most of his limited opportunities, slashing .333/.396/.452 with three RBI, 10 runs scored and four stolen bases over 48 plate appearances. The 28-year-old utility man could begin to see regular time at second base in 2026 now that Brandon Lowe is in Pittsburgh, which would grant Palacios more opportunities to show off his baserunning skills.

The Cardinals and Burleson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Burleson receives a well-earned raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old has made a steady progression offensively for the Cardinals, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .290/.343/.459 batting line and 18 home runs. Burleson is slated to take over as the everyday first baseman in 2026 after spending most of his first four seasons playing the outfield.

The Phillies and Duran avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.5 million contract Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Duran notched a career-high 32 saves in 2025, posting a 2.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 80:19 K:BB over 70 regular-season innings between the Twins and Phillies. The hard-throwing reliever should be one of the top closers in fantasy baseball again in 2026.

The Phillies and Bohm avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.2 million contract Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's a nice raise for Bohm, who had been eligible for salary arbitration for a final time. The 29-year-old slashed .287/.331/.409 and thumped 11 homers over 120 regular-season contests for the Phillies in 2025. Bohm is slated to hit the free-agent market next winter.

Wilson signed a one-year, $1.52 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wilson joined the Rays in November via trade and will now receive a $570,000 raise from his new club after posting a 3.42 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 55.1 innings with the White Sox in 2025. Although he made several appearances in high-leverage situations with Chicago, the 31-year-old righty will likely be relegated to a middle-relief role in the Rays' bullpen this upcoming season.

Rutschman agreed to a one-year, $7.25 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Much like the Orioles as a whole, Rutschman is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him finish with just nine home runs and a .220/.307.673 slash line in 90 games. Top prospect Samuel Basallo made his MLB debut down the stretch last year and inked a massive extension in August, which is likely to cut into Rutschman's playing time behind the plate in 2026. However, Rutschman is still expected to operate as the primary catcher, with Basallo set to see significant action at designated hitter.

The Mets and Alvarez (thumb) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Alvarez had been arbitration-eligible for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier following a season that saw him put up a .787 OPS with 11 home runs over 76 tilts. The 24-year-old was scheduled to have surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb shortly after the season, but he's expected to be ready to go for spring training.

Fortes signed a one-year, $2.535 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After being traded from Miami to Tampa Bay at the deadline, Fortes slashed .213/.307/.348 with 11 RBI and eight runs scored across 101 plate appearances. He could continue to split reps behind the plate with Hunter Feduccia in 2026, though Fortes was by far the more productive of the two backstops last year.

Kirby signed a one-year, $6.55 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Kirby turned in the worst statistical season of his four-year MLB career in 2025, logging a 4.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 126 regular-season innings, although his 9.8 K/9 marked a new personal best for the 27-year-old righty. He'll receive a $2.25 million raise entering the 2026 campaign and still has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.

The Reds and Benson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.725 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Benson had been arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 27-year-old slashed .226/.273/.435 with 12 long balls over 90 contests for the Reds in 2025. He could open the 2026 season as the Reds' left fielder against right-handed pitching, though he will have competition for playing time.