MLB Player News

France signed a one-year, $6.775 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

France receives a $2.675 million salary increase after slashing .250/.337/.366 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI last season -- his worst numbers since joining the Mariners in 2020. He remains in position to serve as Seattle's everyday first baseman, but he will need to bounce back at the plate in order to reattain his former fantasy value.

The White Sox and Vaughn avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It was Vaughn's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old has yet to break out for the White Sox but did set career highs with 21 home runs and 81 RBI in 2023. He'll be looking to take another step forward in 2024.

Gittens signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Dec. 21.

Gittens left the States after the 2021 campaign to pursue a career in Japan and has slashed .299/.426/.493 in two seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Rakuten Golden Eagles. He'll compete for a spot on Houston's bench in the spring, but Triple-A Sugar Land seems to be Gittens' likely destination for Opening Day.

The Angels claimed Rivas off waivers from Cleveland on Friday.

Rivas will switch teams for the second time this winter after being claimed and later DFA'd by the Guardians earlier in the offseason. The 27-year-old Rivas will compete with Nolan Schanuel for reps at first base during spring training after slashing .229/.303/.422 with 15 RBI across 123 plate appearances last season.

The Guardians designated Rivas for assignment Friday.

Rivas was pushed off the 40-man roster in order to clear room for Austin Hedges, who officially signed with the Guardians on Friday. Rivas slashed .229/.303/.422 across 123 plate appearances with the Pirates and Padres last season, and he could potentially attract interest on the waiver wire from teams looking for depth at first base.

Tellez signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Tellez spent over two seasons with the Brewers, and he will remain in the NL Central to fill the Pirates' opening at first base. The 28-year-old slugger took a major step back in 2023, slashing .215/.291/.376 with 13 home runs -- only one of which came after May 23. Despite his recent struggles, Tellez should begin the season as Pittsburgh's primary first baseman, though he will likely step out of the lineup against lefties in favor of Jared Triolo or Connor Joe.

The Reds signed Candelario on Monday to a three-year, $45 million contract that contains a club option for 2027, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Candelario and the Reds agreed in principle on the deal last week, but it wasn't until Monday that the team formally announced the signing of the 30-year-old. He's expected to move between the corner-infield spots and designated hitter in 2024, with his ability to hit from either side of the plate likely guaranteeing him steady playing time versus both left- and right-handed pitching. After posting a career-worst .633 OPS in his final season with the Tigers in 2022, Candelario bounced back nicely at the plate in 2023, slashing .251/.336/.471 with a career-high 22 home runs and eight stolen bases across 575 plate appearances between the Nationals and Cubs.

The Angels acquired White (hip) and Tyler Thomas from Atlanta on Friday in exchange for Max Stassi (hip/personal) and David Fletcher, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

This is basically a swap of bad contracts, with White's maybe being the worst of them all. He hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2021 and holds a career .544 OPS in 306 plate appearances at baseball's highest level. On top of that, he is currently in recovery mode from May hip surgery. The 27-year-old former top prospect is due $15 million guaranteed between 2024-25 and carries a total of $4 million in buyouts on his club options for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Atlanta outrighted White (hip) to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

White was just acquired from the Mariners on Sunday as part of the Jarred Kelenic trade, but the 27-year-old former top prospect has already lost his 40-man roster spot. White is a career .165/.235/.308 hitter in 306 major-league plate appearances and missed the majority of the 2023 season following May hip surgery.

Steer is in line to play regularly in the outfield following the Reds' signing of Jeimer Candelario, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Cincinnati made a crowded infield situation even more crowded with its acquisition of Candelario. Steer is an infielder by trade, but he made 38 starts in the outfield in 2023 and would appear pegged for regular left field duty in 2024. Even with Steer slated to play mostly in the outfield next season, the Reds would still appear to have at least one more infielder than they have starting spots. Jonathan India remains a good bet to be traded.