MLB Player News
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Josh Rojas 3B | CHW
Mariners' Josh Rojas: Could see more time at third
Rojas, who's projected to fill the strong side of an infield platoon with Dylan Moore, is now likelier to do so at third base rather than second as a result of the Jorge Polanco trade, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Kramer notes that Polanco should play either second base or shortstop based on his big-league resume. As a result, Rojas -- who contributed a solid .272 batting average and .721 OPS across 134 plate appearances after his trade from the Diamondbacks last season -- could see the majority of his time at the hot corner. Offseason arrival Luis Urias is also a candidate to see time at third base. Rojas could end up in a super-utility role instead, as he's played every position except catcher, first base and center field during his five-year MLB career.
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Joseph Ortiz 2B | MIL
Brewers' Joey Ortiz: Acquired by Brewers
Ortiz was traded from the Orioles to the Brewers along with DL Hall and the 34th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft in exchange for Corbin Burnes on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
This should be a positive move for Ortiz, as he was stuck in a loaded Baltimore system that likely would have blocked him from a full-time role in the majors anytime soon. Now, he'll head to a team with some infield uncertainty -- particularly at third base -- and he could be the Opening Day starter at the hot corner with a decent showing in spring training. Ortiz's defensive value and contact skills are his carrying skills, though he isn't likely to offer much power.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Changes Sox from White to Red
The Red Sox claimed Gonzalez (shoulder) off waivers from the White Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
It's unclear whether Gonzalez will be ready for Opening Day after having surgery on his right shoulder labrum last July, which could have affected the White Sox' decision to try to slip him through waivers. Gonzalez brings defensive versatility to the table along with a 90.4 mph average exit velocity during his 86 games in the majors. Gonzalez also has a 36 percent strikeout rate and 2.1 percent walk rate during that span, numbers which surely will need to improve if he wants to make an impact in Boston.
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Jorge Polanco 2B | NYM
Mariners' Jorge Polanco: Dealt to Seattle
Polanco was traded from the Twins to the Mariners on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
It's unclear as to what the Twins are getting in return for Polanco, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic states there are four players, two major leaguers and two minor leaguers, headed to Minnesota as part of the deal. This is a huge upgrade for the Mariners at second base, and the 30-year-old will also be available to slot in at the hot corner and in the DH spot as needed. Polanco slashed .255/.335/.454 with 14 homers, 48 RBI, four stolen bases and 38 runs scored over 80 games a season ago with Minnesota.
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Adam Frazier 2B | LAA
Royals' Adam Frazier: Signs with Royals
Frazier signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Royals on Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Frazier slashed .240/.300/.396 with 60 RBI across 454 plate appearances with the Orioles last season. He elected free agency earlier in the offseason to avoid being completely phased out by Baltimore's young talent, and he will presumably replace Michael Massey as the Royals' primary second baseman while occasionally getting a look in the corner outfield spots. His new contract includes an $8.5 million mutual option for 2025 with a $2.5 million buyout.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
White Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Loses 40-man roster spot
Gonzalez (shoulder) was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Friday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
The club needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster for the addition of John Brebbia. Gonzalez underwent surgery in July to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and it's not clear whether he'll be healthy in time for Opening Day. The 27-year-old will now go through the waiver process.
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Christian Arroyo 2B | NYM
Brewers' Christian Arroyo: Receives NRI from Milwaukee
Arroyo signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.
The deal will be worth $1.5 million if he cracks the Opening Day roster, with another $500,000 possible in incentives. Arroyo is a career .252/.299/.394 hitter over parts of seven big-league seasons, most recently posting a disappointing .638 OPS in 2023 with the Red Sox. He can play all over the infield and also fill in at the corner outfield spots in a pinch.
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Jonathan India 2B | KC
Reds' Jonathan India: Could see time at 1B, LF
India could see some playing time at first base and/or left field this season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
It's looking like the Reds will hang onto India going into the season rather than trade him to alleviate some of their infield logjam. That would make for a difficult juggling act for manager David Bell as he looks to give everyone playing time, and it sounds like part of the solution could be to break India in at some new positions. To this point, the only position the 27-year-old has played with the Reds has been second base, although he did play plenty at third base and a little at shortstop in the minors.
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Tommy Edman 2B | LAD
Cardinals' Tommy Edman: Inks two-year deal with Cardinals
Edman (wrist) signed a two-year, $16.5 million contract with the Cardinals on Monday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The two sides had been slated to go to an arbitration hearing after being unable to come to terms earlier this month, but a hearing will now be unnecessary. The two-year pact will buy out Edman's final two years of arbitration eligibility. Edman -- who is expected to be slowed a bit at the start of spring training as he recovers from wrist surgery -- is penciled in as St. Louis' everyday center fielder for 2024.