MLB Player News

Dalbec is entering spring training with the goal of making Boston's Opening Day roster, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

At first inspection, it looks like Dalbec could use more seasoning at Triple-A Pawtucket, but the Red Sox have an open slot at first base. He entered the organization as a third baseman but split time at both corner infield positions in 2019. Michael Chavis (oblique) is the current frontrunner, while the team could add an established first baseman. The 6-foot-4, 234-pound Dalbec, who was added to the 40-man roster during the offseason, slashed .239/.356/.460 with 27 home runs, 19 doubles, two triples and 73 RBI combined in 105 games at Double-A Portland and 30 games at Pawtucket. Seven of those 27 homers came in 123 plate appearances for the PawSox.

Dixon cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Dixon will remain as organizational depth for the Tigers heading into his age-28 season. His .248/.290/.435 slash line in 118 games last season was acceptable for a bench player who spent time at six different positions but clearly wasn't good enough for any team to view him as a desirable addition.

Dixon was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Saturday.

The Tigers acquired C.J. Cron (thumb) and Jonathan Schoop on Saturday, and Dixon was removed from the 40-man roster in order to make room for the infielders. Dixon led the Tigers with 15 home runs in 2019, but he saw limited playing time despite his defensive versatility. It wouldn't be surprising if the 27-year-old was able to find another major-league opportunity elsewhere, but it's unclear whether he would be able to cement himself as an everyday player despite his ability to move around defensively.

Cron (thumb) signed a one-year, $6.1 million contract with the Tigers on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Cron saw limited playing time over the second half of the season, and the combination of his decrease in usage and thumb surgery in October resulted in him being non-tendered by the Twins. The 29-year-old will likely be ready for spring training, and he could take over the starting job at first base after Jeimer Candelario struggled to break out in 2019.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he anticipates Voit (abdomen) opening the upcoming season as the Yankees' everyday first baseman, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports. "I'm confident that Luke Voit is an impact player for us," Boone said.

A core-muscle injury limited Voit's effectiveness over the final month of the regular season and ultimately made surgery necessary once the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs, but the 28-year-old should be back to full strength for spring training. Despite the disappointing finish to his 2019 campaign, Voit was still a well above-average performer at the dish, contributing a .263/.378/.464 slash line (126 wRC+) over his 510 plate appearances.

Manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that O'Hearn will be under consideration for the Royals' everyday job at first base this spring, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Along with O'Hearn, the Royals are also expected to give Ryan McBroom the chance to battle for the job, while Hunter Dozier and Salvador Perez (elbow) could also see work at the position when they aren't playing third base or catcher, respectively. After a hot start to his big-league career upon being promoted from Triple-A Omaha in the second half of 2018, O'Hearn struggled mightily last season, slashing just .195/.281/.369 with 14 home runs in 370 plate appearances. O'Hearn will at least have the platoon advantage working in his favor in the competition, as McBroom, Dozier and Perez all hit from the right side of the plate.

Abreu and the White Sox agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract Friday.

The veteran first baseman had previously accepted the team's one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer, but the two sides agreed to tear that deal up and find a number that worked for both sides over a longer period. Abreu will make only slightly less than his original deal on an annual basis (though $4 million of the contract is deferred) but will remain in Chicago through the 2022 campaign. The White Sox will get a decent yearly value for a team leader who hit .284 with 33 homers last season, though some regression should be expected over the course of the contract, which covers Abreu's age-33 through age-35 seasons.

White will sign a long-term major-league deal with the Mariners on Monday, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

White will become the latest in a small run of players to receive a major-league contract before making their major-league debut. Typically, such a move is made so that the player can be on the Opening Day roster without service-time considerations taking precedence over on-field performance. White spent the entirety of the 2019 season with Double-A Arkansas but could conceivably have been ready to debut, as he hit .293/.350/.488 with 18 homers in 92 games. Whether he cracks the 25-man roster right away or not, the Mariners are risking very little, as they are reportedly guaranteeing the first baseman just $24 million over six years while securing three additional club options.

Padlo was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Wednesday.

Not only did the Rays protect Padlo from the Rule 5 draft, but they designated Matt Duffy for assignment, largely because Padlo looks like the better option at third base. He hit .290/.400/.595 with nine home runs in 40 games at Triple-A. Padlo strikes out a lot (29.7 K%), but he can handle the hot corner and he has legitimate power and on-base skills. He probably won't break camp on the 25-man roster, but should be heard from at some point in 2020.

Cronenworth was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Wednesday.

This protects him from the Rule 5 draft. A legitimate two-way player, Cronenworth may function as an infielder and relief pitcher for the Rays. He can play all over the infield but is a shortstop by trade. On the mound he throws right-handed. Cronenworth hit .334/.429/.520 with 10 home runs and 12 steals in 88 games at Triple-A and should compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.