MLB Player News

Duffy signed a one-year, $2.675 million contract with the Rays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Duffy played in 132 games last season and slahed .294/.361/.366 but hit only four home runs, and featured an abysmal .071 ISO. The 27-year-old saw all of his time in the field at third base, and his limited power severely hampers the fantasy appeal of his solid average and on-base numbers.

LeMahieu has agreed to a two-year, $24 million deal with the Yankees, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

According to Jack Curry of YES Network, the Yankees plan to use LeMahieu as a super-utility player, deploying him at second base, first base and third base. One way for him to get significant playing time would be if Troy Tulowitzki struggles or gets hurt before Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) returns around the All-Star break, which would force Gleyber Torres to move to shortstop and open up everyday work at the keystone. Another potential opportunity booster would be if the Yankees can find a trade partner for Miguel Andujar, in which case LeMahieu could get the bulk of the work at the hot corner. He has slashed just .265/.319/.410 (93 wRC+) away from Coors Field over the past two seasons. While he could see a slight power boost in the cozy confines of Yankee Stadium, that's not LeMahieu's game (53.8 career GB%). If the Yankees let Gregorius and Tulowitzki walk in free agency after the season, LeMahieu would likely slot in as the everyday second baseman with Torres moving to shortstop for 2020. This signing likely means the Yankees won't be signing Manny Machado.

Bregman underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The issue didn't seem to bother Bregman last season as he hit an excellent .286/.394/.532 with 31 homers on the way to a fifth-place finish in the American League MVP race. He is expected to be limited in spring training but ready to go by the start of the regular season. If recovery takes longer than planned, Aledmys Diaz could see an expanded role early in the season.

Senzel was invited to the Reds' major-league camp Wednesday.

Injuries held Senzel to just 44 games last season and likely delayed his big-league debut, though he certainly looked major-league ready, as he posted a strong .310/.378/.509 line for Triple-A Louisville. The second overall pick in the 2016 draft should have at least an outside shot to break camp on the major-league roster, but he's good enough and young enough that he's a candidate to be kept in the minors for at least a few weeks so that the Reds secure an extra year of team control. His ultimate defensive position remains unclear, and could involve a move to the outfield, so the "working on his defense" excuse may be more legitimate in his case than most.

The Tigers announced Monday that Wilson was hired as a big-league scout, signaling the end of his playing career, Lynn Henning of The Detroit News reports.

Wilson, 37, was out of baseball for all of 2018 but never formally announced his intention to retire. The utility man spent parts of eight seasons in the big leagues from 2005 through 2015 that included stints with the Marlins, Nationals, Rays, Diamondbacks, Padres, Mariners, Brewers, Rangers and Tigers.

Davis was traded from the Astros to the Mets with infielder Cody Bohanek for infielder Luis Santana, outfielder Ross Adolph and catcher Scott Manea on Sunday.

The 25-year-old spent time in both the majors and minors last season, but his numbers at Triple-A suggested he has gotten enough seasoning in the minors. Davis put up a .342/.406/.583 slash line, 17 home runs and 81 RBI with Fresno while seeing time at third base, first base, left field and right field. Davis could compete for a starting gig at one of the corner infield spots out of spring training. First base is a bit uncertain until Peter Alonso is ready for the majors and third base is occupied by a declining Todd Frazier.

The Pirates announced Saturday that Hayes would attend spring training with the big club, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

The top position prospect in the organization, Hayes slashed .293/.375/.444 with seven home runs and 12 steals across 508 plate appearances at Double-A Altoona last season while providing elite defense at the hot corner. While the invitation to big-league camp is a deserved reward for Hayes, he'll likely be ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the campaign and is expected to spend most of 2019 in the minors.

The White Sox have offered Machado a long-term contract, per four sources with direct knowledge of the offer, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The offer is characterized as a serious one, closer to $200 million than $300 million. The White Sox declined to comment on negotiations, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, but they have expressed interest in Machado. They have an opening at third base but are not in a position to contend in 2019, which may factor into Machado's decision-making. The only other team to publicly disclose interest is the Phillies, though the Yankees are also linked to Machado, who grew up a fan of the pinstripes. It is believed New York is Machado's preferred landing spot, according to friends.

Machado isn't expected to sign with a team until after the new year, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

Per Heyman, Machado has informed the White Sox, Yankees and Phillies -- the teams most closely linked to him in free agency -- that he won't make a decision on his next destination until January. It's possible that a few other suitors emerge in the bidding in the next couple of weeks, which could push back Machado's timeline even further.

The Dodgers dealt Farmer, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and $7 million to Cincinnati on Friday in exchange for Homer Bailey, Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Farmer will provide a little extra catching depth for the Reds behind Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali after playing in 59 big-league games over the past two years. During the 2018 campaign, Farmer went 16-for-68 (.235 average) with five extra-base hits and nine RBI. Don't expect him to get much playing time barring an injury to Barnhart.