MLB Player News

The Braves still have a number of players who have not settled on a contract for 2014.

The club is in the process of exchanging arbitration numbers with the players, and both sides likely want to avoid an arbitration hearing. Much of the team's core is still unsettled, with Craig Kimbrel, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Mike Minor and Kris Medlen among the players still in need of a contract. All those players are still under team control, so there's no risk Atlanta will lose them. But they need to agree on a figure for next season. Arbitration hearing are scheduled to take place beginning in February, so the team still has a few weeks to figure out the issue.

While Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo led his team with 23 home runs, 40 doubles and 80 RBI in 2013, he hit just .233 and .191 with runners in scoring position. Rizzo admitted his poor average was a result of putting too much pressure on himself, according to MLB.com.

"I have the expectation every year to hit my peak, whether it's in the big leagues or in Little League," he said. "Once it gets down to where maybe the numbers aren't where I want them to be, I try a little harder. Throughout the year, with the exception of a few bad ruts, I hit the ball pretty decent."

Rizzo predicts 2014 will be different and he's looking forward to playing for new manager Rick Renteria, who Rizzo had worked previously with during his tenure with the Padres.

"[Renteria] was great when I was there in San Diego -- especially when I got sent down," Rizzo said. "He told me he had no doubt in his mind that I'd be a great player and not to let it shake me or anything. That was nice and encouraging. He did that on the side. My time there was kind of a blur. I just know he's a great person."

Faced with a bevy of arbitration-eligible players ahead of Monday's non-tender deadline, the Braves opted to bring back all but three of them. Only one was actually signed to a contract, as the team agreed to undisclosed terms on a one-year deal with infielder Ramiro Pena, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The team also tendered contracts to nine other players, whose salaries for 2014 will be determined by the arbitration process, unless contracts can be agreed upon. Pitchers Craig Kimbrel, Brandon Beachy, Kris Medlen, Mike Minor and Jordan Walden; infielders Freddie Freeman and Chris Johnson and outfielders Jason Heyward and Jordan Schafer will all return to the team next season. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who hit .338 with runners in scoring position en route to an NL-leading 125 RBI in 2013, told the Arizona Republic he made a conscious effort not to put extra pressure on himself in those situations.

"When there were guys on base, I almost tried to just pretend there was nobody on," he said. "Or if it was late in the game, I'd try to take the same approach as if it's the first inning so I didn't have too much adrenaline in the box."

Goldschmidt also led the NL in home runs (36), slugging percentage (.551) and OPS (.952).

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has won the National League Silver Slugger award for his position.

Goldschimdt hit .302/.401/.551 with 36 home runs and 125 RBI in 602 at-bats while also winning his first Gold Glove award. He's one of three finalists for the NL Most Valuable Player award.

Paul Goldschmidt became the first Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman to win a Gold Glove as he was announced as the winner for the National League Tuesday night. 

Gerardo Parra also won a Gold Glove for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday in the outfield. Goldschmidt had a fantastic season with the bat as well. He hit .302 with 36 homers and 125 RBI for the D-Backs. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was awarded the 2013 Hank Award Award for the National League, given to each league's best hitter.

Goldschmidt led the National League with 36 home runs, 125 RBI and a .551 slugging percentage. He hit .302 and posted a .401 on-base percentage while also stealing 15 bases.

Already this offseason, there's a growing sentiment that Fantasy mainstay Joey Votto no longer deserves to go in the first round. I'm hoping to nip it in the bud right here.

In Head-to-Head leagues, it's pretty easy. Walks are worth a point each. As this era's preeminent walker, Votto has so much of a head start on everyone else that he'd need a complete collapse in some other area to fall short of first-round numbers. In his age-30 season, I don't see it happening.

In Rotisserie leagues, it's a little more complicated but still pretty obvious when you account for downside. Everybody likes to dream about how good a player could be, but recognizing how bad he could be is as much a part of player evaluation.

Votto is a lock for a .300 batting average and 25-30 homers (OK, so he finished one short in 2013), and as this era's preeminent walker, he'll always deliver in runs scored. Even if his recent dip in RBI continues, which is no sure thing, you can't be disappointed in the numbers he gives you. They will be elite -- assuming good health, of course.

By comparison, Chris Davis hit .245 in the second half this year, so clearly, he still has flaws. While I think he'll hit .260 with 40-45 home runs in 2014 -- which would likely put him ahead of an RBI-deficient Votto in Rotisserie -- he has a much better chance of disappointing than Votto.

Whiffing in the early rounds means certain failure in Fantasy Baseball, so more than anything with those picks, you want safe. That's exactly what Votto will give you, whether he finishes with 80 RBI or 100.

Marlins infielder Donovan Solano was forced out of Saturday's game against the Tigers after taking pitch off the helmet. Solano left the game in the 10th inning under his own power.

He finished 0 for 4 and was replaced by Placido Polanco. The Marlins will likely take a cautious approach with Solano, especially with one game left this season. Solano batted .249 with three homers and 34 RBI in 361 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto walked five times Monday against the Mets.

Votto walked in all of his plate appearances, going 0 for 0 at the plate. He did manage to pick up an RBI. Votto is hitting .308/.438/.499 in 565 at-bats.