MLB Player News

With the signing of Colby Rasmus, the Astros have an even more crowded outfield, but it also means Houston won't have to lean on Evan Gattis to play primarly in left field.

In fact, Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow expects Gattis to occasionally play in left field, but to primarily play at first base and DH. Although, that doesn't bode well for playing time for Jon Singleton and Chris Carter.

“We don’t know what Gattis is going to look like in left field,” Luhnow said, per the Houston Chronicle. “If he’s good out there or adequate, I’m sure he’ll get some at-bats out there. Is he going to be our everyday left fielder? I can’t imagine that happening with the guys that we have, but we want to have that bat in the lineup.

“Guys that have options are going to have to prove to us that they belong in the big leagues. I don’t think it’s just Singleton. Like I said, we’ve got multiple options at every position on the diamond now. So, you know, players may not be playing their preferred position -- that puzzle will come together in spring training. We’re only guessing to try to figure it out right now.”

The Astros have avoided arbitration with designated hitter Chris Carter, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Carter is set to make $4.175 million next season. He's coming off a season in which he hit .227/.308/.491 over 507 at-bats. The 28-year-old hit 37 home runs. 

The Rays have finalized a one-year deal with infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, reports CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman on Friday. Cabrera is expected to make $7.5 million in 2015.

The two-time All-Star hit .241 with 14 home runs, 31 doubles and 61 RBI in 146 games in 2014. In 24 career games at Tropicana Field, Cabrera has a .237 average, two triples, three home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.

While Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. looks to trade first baseman Ryan Howard, there are some obstacles to completing a deal, including Howard being able to block trades to 20 teams, according to ESPN.

Under the terms of Howard's contract, the 35-year-old veteran can only be traded to nine teams without his permission. Those nine teams are the Tigers, Royals, Angels, Mariners, Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox, a source familiar with Howard's contract told ESPN.

Howard, who hit .223 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 153 games in 2014, still has two years left on his contract. He is due to make $25 million each of the next two seasons. He also has a $23 million team option for 2017, which includes a $10 million buyout.

The Rays are close to a deal with infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The 29-year-old Cabrera spent all of his career with the Indians before being traded to the Nationals in July. The two-time All-Star hit .241 with 14 home runs, 31 doubles and 61 RBI in 146 games in 2014. He has a career .268/.330/.409/.740 slash line over eight MLB seasons.

In 24 career games at Tropicana Field, Cabrera has a .237 average, two triples, three home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.

The Orioles and the Phillies discussed a package deal that included outfielder Marlon Byrd and first baseman Ryan Howard during the winter meetings, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports Saturday.

According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the Orioles are one of eight teams on Howard's pre-approved list for trades. An American League team seems like an ideal landing spot for the veteran, who could spend the final two years of his contract as a designated hitter. However, according to Heyman, there's "not a lot there at the moment" between the two clubs.

Howard has two years and a guaranteed $60 million remaining on his contract, with a $23 million option for 2017. He slashed .223/.310/.380 with 23 homers, 95 RBI while also striking out 190 times over 569 at-bats last season

The Phillies and Orioles have talked about first baseman Ryan Howard this week, the New York Daily News reports.

It's unclear how much interest the Orioles have in Howard, a player who has declined in recent years and is owed $25 million in each of the next two seasons as well as a $10 million buyout of his 2017 option. He hit .223/.310/.380 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 569 at-bats in 2014.

Teams have contacted the Indians about slugger Carlos Santana, according to FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi. However, no deal is close.

The 28-year-old Santana is owed $14.25 million over the next two seasons. He has a $12 million team option for 2017, which includes a $1.2 million buyout. 

Santana hit just .231 in 152 games in 2014, but he tied a career-best with 27 home runs and had a career-high 113 walks. He also had 25 doubles and a career-best 85 RBI.

The Blue Jays announced Monday they claimed first baseman/outfielder Chris Colabello off waivers from the Twins. Colabello hit .214 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI in 114 games over the last two seasons for Minnesota.

Twins first baseman Chris Colabello said his injured right thumb is almost healed, according to the Pioneer Press. He will not need surgery after a series of doctor visits.

Colabello said he hopes to start his normal offseason hitting routine in the next few weeks. Colabello was having lingering issues with his right thumb as as a result of getting jammed on a pitch during an April 23 game against the Rays.