MLB Player News
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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Nationals' Josh Bell: Reaches $10 million deal with Nats
Bell signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Bell is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and will receive a bump in pay after making $6.35 million in 2021. The 29-year-old rebounded last season after a rough 2020 and slashed .261/.347/.476 with 27 home runs, 75 runs and 88 RBI in 144 games.
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Donovan Solano 1B | TEX
Reds' Donovan Solano: Exits after getting hit by pitch
Solano left Tuesday's game against the Dodgers after a pitch hit him in the side, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
The exact nature of Solano's injury is unclear. If he suffered nothing worse than a bruise, he should be able to return to game action soon.
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Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Mets' Pete Alonso: Signs for $7.4 million
Alonso signed a one-year, $7.4 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
In two of the last three seasons, Alonso has earned more from his $1 million prize for winning the Home Run Derby than he did from his pre-arbitration salary, but he'll finally get paid something a little closer to his true value. He's coming off a season in which he struck out a career-low 19.9 percent of the time en route to a .262/.344/.519 slash line, clearing the fence 37 times. He should anchor an improved Mets lineup again in the upcoming campaign.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Settles for $7.9 million
Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $7.9 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Guerrero will earn a strong figure in his first year of arbitration eligibility after making about $605,000 during 2021. He'll remain at first base for Toronto this season after breaking out with a 1.002 OPS, 48 homers and 111 RBI last year.
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Garrett Cooper 1B | ATL
Marlins' Garrett Cooper: Gets $2.5 million
Cooper signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.
Cooper hit a strong .284/.380/.465 last season in 250 plate appearances but again faces questions about his playing time after the Marlins brought in Jorge Soler as their primary designated hitter.
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Yandy Diaz DH | TB
Rays' Yandy Diaz: Reaches deal without arbiter
Diaz and the Rays avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.8 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
Diaz gets a nice raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. While the 30-year-old still hasn't developed much power, hitting a modest 13 homers last season, his control of the zone helped him to a 111 wRC+, the product of a .256/.354/.387 slash line.
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Josh Naylor 1B | SEA
Guardians' Josh Naylor: Won't need arbitration hearing
Naylor (lower leg) and the Guardians agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.2 million contract to avoid arbitration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Naylor is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from July 3 surgery to address fractures and ligament damage in his right leg, but he's not expected to be cleared for Opening Day. Once he completes his rehab program and is able to play a few games in the minor leagues, Naylor should eventually settle into a strong-side platoon role for the Guardians at either corner-outfield spot, first base or designated hitter. Before sustaining the season-ending leg injury, Naylor supplied a .700 OPS in 249 plate appearances for Cleveland in 2021.
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Luke Voit 1B | NYM
Padres' Luke Voit: Avoids arbitration with new team
Voit and the Padres avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.45 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
The 31-year-old will remain under team control through the end of the 2024 season, as he didn't debut until his age-26 season and didn't become a full-time player until two years later. He should fill a major role at the heart of the Padres' lineup this season for as long as he can remain healthy, primarily serving as the designated hitter while potentially taking over for Eric Hosmer at first base against lefties.
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Rhys Hoskins 1B | CLE
Phillies' Rhys Hoskins: Avoids arbitration Tuesday
Hoskins and the Phillies agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $7.7 million contract to avoid arbitration, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Hoskins will receive just shy of a $3 million salary increase coming off a 2021 season in which he slashed .247/.334/.530 with 27 home runs, 71 RBI, 64 runs and three stolen bases over 443 plate appearances. His season ended in late August after he required core-muscle surgery, but Hoskins appears to be back to full strength at spring training.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | PIT
Royals' Ryan O'Hearn: Avoids arbitration
O'Hearn signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
O'Hearn is expected to serve in a utility role with time at first base, right field and designated hitter in 2022. The 28-year-old posted a mediocre .225/.268/.369 slash line with nine home runs, 29 RBI and 23 runs scored in 84 games last season.