MLB Player News

Cronenworth agreed to a one-year, $4.225 million contract with the Padres on Friday to avoid arbitration, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for the 28-year-old, and he'll receive a massive raise from his pre-arbitration figures. Cronenworth had a .239/.332/.390 slash line with 17 home runs and 88 RBI in 158 games last season, and he's expected to begin 2023 as San Diego's primary first baseman.

France and the Mariners agreed on a one-year, $4.1 million contract Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

France and the team won't have to go through the arbitration process anymore after they struck a deal Friday. The 28-year-old produced a .274/.338/.436 slash line with a career-high 20 homers and 83 RBI over 551 at-bats in 140 games with the Mariners in 2022. Hitting in the heart of a productive Seattle lineup, France will continue to have significant fantasy value in 2023.

Naylor signed a one-year, $3.35 million contract with the Guardians on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Naylor popped a career-high 20 home runs and posted a .771 OPS in 2022 to earn a raise. He can't hit lefties at all and figures to be on the bench against them most days in 2023, but Naylor does enough damage versus righties to produce mixed-league value in deeper leagues.

Walker signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with Arizona on Friday to avoid arbitration, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Walker finished 2022 with career highs in home runs (36) and RBI (94), and he recorded his highest OPS since 2019. As a result, the veteran first baseman receives a well-deserved raise from the $2.6 million he made in 2022.

Tellez and the Brewers agreed on a one-year, $4.95 million contract Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Tellez and the organization will avoid the arbitration process after coming to an agreement Friday. The first baseman struggled to hit for average in 2022, batting a career-low .219, but he did produce a career-high 35 homers, 89 RBI, 67 runs and two stolen bases. The 27-year-old will likely have an everyday role with Milwaukee in 2023, whether it's at the cold corner or at designated hitter.

Hoskins agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Hoskins is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and will receive a sizable raise from his $7.7 million salary in 2022. The 29-year-old had a .246/.332/.462 slash line with 30 home runs and 79 RBI last season.

Hiura agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Brewers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

It's Hiura's first year of arbitration eligibility, and he'll receive a nice raise from his pre-arbitration salary over the past few years. The 26-year-old had a .226/.316/.449 slash line with 14 home runs and a 41.7 percent strikeout rate in 80 games last season, and he's likely to open 2023 in a bench role.

Cooper agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Marlins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Cooper played a career-high 119 games last season and had a .261/.337/.415 slash line with nine home runs and 50 RBI. The 32-year-old should be Miami's Opening Day starter at first base and is entering his final year before free agency.

Rivas signed a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training with the Padres on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rivas was released by the Cubs on Jan. 6 after being designated for assignment and subsequently clearing waivers. He has a .247/.331/.322 line across 336 career plate appearances, all of which have come in Chicago. While first base is a potential weakness in the Padres' lineup, Rivas' potential fit is unclear as both Jake Cronenworth and Matt Carpenter -- two favorites to start at first base -- are also left-handed hitters.

Higgins signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Higgins was designated for assignment by the Cubs in late December and elected free agency Monday after clearing waivers. He was quickly able to find a new team and will serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training in 2023. The 29-year-old appeared in 74 games for the Cubs last year and slashed .229/.310/.383 with six home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs.