MLB Player News

France and the Mariners agreed on a one-year, $4.1 million contract Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

France and the team won't have to go through the arbitration process anymore after they struck a deal Friday. The 28-year-old produced a .274/.338/.436 slash line with a career-high 20 homers and 83 RBI over 551 at-bats in 140 games with the Mariners in 2022. Hitting in the heart of a productive Seattle lineup, France will continue to have significant fantasy value in 2023.

Naylor signed a one-year, $3.35 million contract with the Guardians on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Naylor popped a career-high 20 home runs and posted a .771 OPS in 2022 to earn a raise. He can't hit lefties at all and figures to be on the bench against them most days in 2023, but Naylor does enough damage versus righties to produce mixed-league value in deeper leagues.

O'Hearn cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

O'Hearn was designated for assignment by the Orioles late last week after being acquired from the Royals, but he'll remain in the organization this time around. The 29-year-old will likely have a chance to compete for a major-league roster spot with th Orioles during spring training.

Beaty signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Beaty will be invited to major-league spring training. The 29-year-old had a dreadful showing in 2022, batting .093/.170/.163 over 47 plate appearances with the Padres. Beaty had some useful stretches during his time with the Dodgers, though, and would seem to have a decent shot to crack the Royals' Opening Day roster as a part-time corner outfielder and infielder.

O'Hearn was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Thursday.

O'Hearn was acquired by the Orioles earlier this week after being DFA'd by the Royals, and he's now been booted off another 40-man roster. The 29-year-old appeared in 67 games last season and had a .239/.290/.321 slash line with one homer and 16 RBI. Lewin Diaz was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

O'Hearn was acquired by the Orioles from the Royals on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

The O's are apparently hopeful that O'Hearn -- who hasn't had an OPS higher than .650 over the last four seasons -- can help them at first base and designated hitter against right-handed pitching. The 29-year-old will make $1.4 million in 2023 and is eligible for arbitration again in 2024.

The Royals designated O'Hearn for assignment Wednesday.

O'Hearn was dropped from the 40-man roster to make room for starting pitcher Jordan Lyles, who inked a two-year deal with Kansas City. Despite sticking with the big club all of last season and not spending any time on the injured list, the 29-year-old O'Hearn logged just 145 plate appearances, slashing .239/.290/.321 with a 24.1 percent strikeout rate.

Padlo signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Friday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Padlo has seen brief action in the majors with four different teams over the last two seasons, going just 5-for-46 at the plate. The 26-year-old is capable of playing both corner infield spots as well as some second base and left field.

Casas (knee) is poised to be the Red Sox' regular first baseman after Eric Hosmer was designated for assignment Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

There's a good chance Casas was ultimately going to be the preferred option over Hosmer anyway, but with the veteran gone the situation is that much clearer. Casas flashed his upside in a short stint with Boston in 2022, hitting just .197 but collecting 19 walks and five home runs over 95 plate appearances. The youngster injured his knee in October during winter ball but should be 100 percent for spring training.

Noda was selected by the A's during the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The Dodgers opted not to add Noda to the 40-man roster, and the A's picked him second during the Rule 5 draft. The 26-year-old had a .259/.396/.474 slash line with 25 home runs, 90 RBI and 20 stolen bases at the Triple-A level last year, and he'll now receive a major-league chance in Oakland.