MLB Player News

Rivas was designated for assignment by the Angels on Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The Halos needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Robert Stephenson. Rivas was claimed off waivers a month ago by the Angels and will now go through the waiver process again. The 27-year-old has slashed .243/.324/.349 over parts of three big-league seasons.

Aranda could be in line to serve in a strong-side platoon at designated hitter for the Rays, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

It sounds as if Aranda is the top candidate to step into the role vacated by Luke Raley as the DH versus righties and occasional first baseman. A trade of Harold Ramirez, which seems likely, could further clarify Aranda's role. Aranda has posted just a .656 OPS over 190 plate appearances during his limited chances at the major-league level, but the 25-year-old sports a .328/.421/.565 batting line with 43 home runs over the last two seasons at Triple-A Durham. Even if the left-handed batter sits regularly against southpaws, he boasts big fantasy potential.

Lowe signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Lowe's .850 OPS in 2022 looks to be an outlier after he posted a .774 OPS last season, but he's settled in as a strong contributor in runs and RBI while swatting high-teens homers. He earned over a $3 million raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility and will remain under team control through the 2026 campaign.

Mountcastle signed a one-year, $4.1 million deal with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Mountcastle has developed into a steady player, posting a slugging percentage above .450 in three of his four big-league seasons. He may lose some playing time in 2024 due to the depth in the Orioles' lineup, but he projects to regularly serve as the team's designated hitter or first baseman.

Naylor signed a one-year, $6.6 million deal with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Naylor has improved across each of the last three seasons, and he posted an impressive .308/.354/.489 line across 495 plate appearances in 2023. He could sit occasionally against lefties, but he otherwise should be locked in as Cleveland's primary first baseman in 2024.

Kirilloff (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Twins on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff had minor offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training. He should be in line for at least the strong side of a platoon in 2024, but Kirilloff has averaged just 64 games per season since he debuted in 2021, so durability is the primary concern for the 26-year-old.

France signed a one-year, $6.775 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

France receives a $2.675 million salary increase after slashing .250/.337/.366 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI last season -- his worst numbers since joining the Mariners in 2020. He remains in position to serve as Seattle's everyday first baseman, but he will need to bounce back at the plate in order to reattain his former fantasy value.

The White Sox and Vaughn avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It was Vaughn's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old has yet to break out for the White Sox but did set career highs with 21 home runs and 81 RBI in 2023. He'll be looking to take another step forward in 2024.

Gittens signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Dec. 21.

Gittens left the States after the 2021 campaign to pursue a career in Japan and has slashed .299/.426/.493 in two seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Rakuten Golden Eagles. He'll compete for a spot on Houston's bench in the spring, but Triple-A Sugar Land seems to be Gittens' likely destination for Opening Day.

The Angels claimed Rivas off waivers from Cleveland on Friday.

Rivas will switch teams for the second time this winter after being claimed and later DFA'd by the Guardians earlier in the offseason. The 27-year-old Rivas will compete with Nolan Schanuel for reps at first base during spring training after slashing .229/.303/.422 with 15 RBI across 123 plate appearances last season.