MLB Player News
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Jhonny Pereda C | MIN
Athletics' Jhonny Pereda: Lands with A's
The Marlins traded Pereda to the Athletics on Thursday in exchange for cash.
Pereda was DFA'd by Miami on Tuesday, but his move to the A's will ensure that he remains on a 40-man roster for the 2025 campaign. The 28-year-old backstop managed just a .481 OPS in 40 big-league plate appearances last season, though he slashed .302/.407/.444 with 16 RBI in Triple-A. Kyle McCann was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, improving Pereda's chances at making the Athletics' Opening Day roster as Shea Langeliers' backup.
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Christian Bethancourt C | TOR
Blue Jays' Christian Bethancourt: Nets NRI deal with Toronto
The Blue Jays signed Bethancourt to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Bethancourt joins the competition to serve as Toronto's backup catcher behind starter Alejandro Kirk. The 33-year-old had an .814 OPS in 24 games for the Cubs in 2024 after the Marlins cut him loose, but between the two stops he managed just a .608 OPS.
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Blake Sabol C | BOS
Red Sox's Blake Sabol: Traded to Boston
The Red Sox acquired Sabol from the Giants on Wednesday in exchange for international bonus pool space, Hunter Noll of Beyond the Monster reports.
Sabol had been designated for assignment but will now join a new 40-man roster. The 27-year-old has put up a .705 OPS over 121 games at the big-league level and is capable of playing the outfield in addition to catching. Sabol is likely to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Worcester.
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Blake Hunt C | SEA
Mariners' Blake Hunt: Dealt to Seattle
The Mariners acquired Hunt from the Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.
The 26-year-old had been designated for assignment. It's a homecoming of sorts of Hunt, who began last season in the Mariners organization before being traded to the Orioles. He's likely to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Tacoma, where he'll represent catching depth.
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Nick Raposo C | SEA
Mariners' Nick Raposo: Booted from 40-man roster
The Mariners designated Raposo for assignment Tuesday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.
The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Miles Mastrobuoni, who was acquired via trade. Raposo was a waiver claim by the Mariners in December and will now go through the waivers process again.
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Blake Hunt C | SEA
Orioles' Blake Hunt: Jettisoned from 40-man roster
The Orioles designated Hunt for assignment Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
The Orioles made the signing of Andrew Kittredge official Monday and needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster. Hunt, 26, slashed only .179/.219/.278 over 42 games during his time with Triple-A Norfolk last season.
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Jonah Heim C | TEX
Rangers' Jonah Heim: Reaches deal with Rangers
Heim and the Rangers agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Heim is entering his second year of arbitration eligibility and will earn a $1.5 million raise from 2024. He's coming off of a disappointing season, as he slugged only 13 homers with a .602 OPS across 491 plate appearances. Heim is currently projected to split time behind the plate with newly acquired Kyle Higashioka in 2025.
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Alejandro Kirk C | TOR
Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Avoids arbitration with Toronto
Kirk agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Kirk will get a $1.8 million raise ahead of the 2025 campaign, which will be his sixth with Toronto. The catcher produced a .253 average with five home runs, 54 RBI and 23 runs scored over 103 games in 2024. Kirk will likely operate as the team's primary catcher again in 2025 with Tyler Heineman set to serve as his primary backup.
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Ben Rortvedt C | CIN
Rays' Ben Rortvedt: Avoids arbitration
The Rays and Rortvedt avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.125 million contract Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
He was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter. Rortvedt led Rays catchers with 328 plate appearances in 2024 but is slated to take a back seat to Danny Jansen in 2025.