MLB Player News
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Zack Collins C | CLE
Guardians' Zack Collins: Inks MiLB deal with Cleveland
Collins signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Guardians which includes an invitation to major-league spring training.
Collins struggled to a .155/.231/.320 batting line in 36 major-league games last season between the Blue Jays and Pirates. The 28-year-old catcher seems unlikely to make the Cleveland's Opening Day roster since he sits firmly behind Mike Zunino and Bo Naylor on the depth chart.
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Cal Raleigh C | SEA
Mariners' Cal Raleigh: No issues in bullpen session
Raleigh (thumb) said Wednesday that he had no issues while catching a bullpen session Tuesday for pitcher Marco Gonzales, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Raleigh mentioned that he has more rehab and strengthening work to do before being cleared for full baseball activities, but the fact that the surgically repaired left thumb isn't hindering him from catching is a positive sign at the onset of spring training. The switch-hitting backstop underwent surgery in the fall after he played through the broken thumb and a torn ligament in his left hand late in the regular season and during Seattle's postseason run. Raleigh, who hit 27 home runs and batted .211 in 415 plate appearances in 2022, appears on track to be ready for Opening Day, but he may not be formally cleared until he appears in a Cactus League game.
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Jose Trevino C | CIN
Yankees' Jose Trevino: Agrees to one-year deal
Trevino and the Yankees avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal Friday.
The Yankees acquired Trevino in a trade with Texas prior to last season and were rewarded with an All-Star campaign. Much of Trevino's value comes from his defense, however, which limits his fantasy appeal. His .248/.283/.388 slash line last season wasn't particularly exciting, and his 11 homers merely tied him for 17th among all catchers.
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Kyle Higashioka C | TEX
Yankees' Kyle Higashioka: Reaches deal without arbitration
Higashioka and the Yankees avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year deal.
Higashioka homered 10 times in 248 plate appearances last season, but his .227/.264/.389 slash line was good for just an 83 wRC+. He'll enter the 2023 season as Jose Trevino's backup behind the plate.
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Christian Bethancourt C | CHC
Rays' Christian Bethancourt: Avoids arbitration with Tampa
Bethancourt signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Rays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The 31-year-old had a surprisingly solid year in 2022, as he recorded a career-high .692 OPS over 333 plate appearances between the A's and Rays. Bethancourt will likely split time with Francisco Mejia in 2023, though he should see a larger share of the action behind the dish.
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Francisco Mejia C | TB
Rays' Francisco Mejia: Comes to terms with Tampa
Mejia signed a one-year, $2.155 million contract with the Rays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Mejia took a step back at the plate in 2022 with just a .645 OPS, and at this point it's difficult to see him turning into an everyday catcher. He will share time behind the dish with Christian Bethancourt in 2023.
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Tom Murphy C | SF
Mariners' Tom Murphy: Inks one-year deal
Murphy (shoulder) and the Mariners agreed on a one-year, $1.625 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The catcher had to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in late June, but he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2023 campaign. Murphy batted .303 with a solo homer and nine runs scored over 33 at-bats in 14 games with Seattle last season and figures to back up Cal Raleigh.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Settles with Boston
McGuire agreed to a one-year, $1.225 million contract with the Red Sox in January of 2023 to avoid arbitration, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
McGuire played in a career-high 89 games between the White Sox and Red Sox last season and had a .269/.307/.369 slash line. The 27-year-old hit especially well in 36 contests for Boston with an .877 OPS, and he currently projects to split catching duties with Connor Wong in 2023.
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Danny Jansen C | TEX
Blue Jays' Danny Jansen: Avoids arbitration with Toronto
Jansen signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Jansen was superb at the dish when healthy in 2022, producing an .855 OPS with 15 home runs over 72 games. His playing time in 2023 could be affected by the Brandon Belt signing if it means more catching for Alejandro Kirk, but the reality is Jansen hasn't reached 250 plate appearances either of the last two seasons, anyway. He's still capable of being a viable second fantasy catcher even with a truncated workload.
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Sandy Leon C | ATL
Rangers' Sandy Leon: Lands NRI from Rangers
Leon (knee) signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Leon, who underwent meniscus surgery on his right knee in October, is probably in line to begin the season at Triple-A Round Rock unless the Rangers are willing to carry three catchers. The 33-year-old saw action in 33 games for the Guardians and Twins in 2022, producing a .509 OPS.