MLB Player News

D'Arnaud signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Braves on Sunday.

The 29-year-old had a tumultuous start to 2019 and went 2-for-23 in 10 games before being released by the Mets in May, but he eventually ended up with the Rays and put together a quality season. D'Arnaud should serve as Atlanta's primary catcher in 2020, but Tyler Flowers remains a solid No. 2 option behind the plate and should still see semi-regular starts. D'Arnaud had a .263/.323/.459 slash line with 16 home runs and 67 RBI in 92 games with the Rays last season.

Grandal signed a four-year, $73 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday.

Grandal hit 28 home runs with an .848 OPS on a one-year deal with the Brewers in 2019, and the risk of a short-term contract last year paid off with a long-term deal with the White Sox that is the largest in franchise history. The 31-year-old should benefit from hitter-friendly Guaranteed Rate Field as he figures to be a key contributor in the White Sox's lineup. Daniel Palka was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Amaya was added to the 40-man roster by the Cubs on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old signed as a glove-first catcher in 2015 but has performed well enough to warrant protection from the Rule 5 draft. Amaya spent 2019 at High-A Myrtle Beach and had a .235/.351/.402 slash line with 11 home runs and 24 doubles in 99 games.

Stephenson was added to the Reds' 40-man roster Wednesday.

This move was a lock on the final day to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft. Stephenson is clearly the catcher of the future in Cincinnati, but he will need to head to Triple-A for at least a month or two before making his big-league debut. He hit .285/.372/.410 with a 10.2 percent walk rate, 16.5 percent strikeout rate and six home runs in 89 games at Double-A and made up for lost time with 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. Stephenson has big raw power and is patient at the dish, which will hopefully make up for the fact that he isn't the greatest defensive catcher.

Contreras' contract was selected by the Braves on Tuesday.

Although the 21-year-old was effective in the minors last season, his addition to the 40-man roster is more so to protect him from the Rule 5 draft rather than an indication of his readiness to contribute. In 110 games between the High-A and Double-A levels last season, Contreras hit .255/.315/.354 with six home runs and 39 RBI.

Stassi (hip) may not be ready to go by Opening Day, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stassi underwent a hip procedure in late September that was expected to keep him out for 4-to-6 months. The back end of that window should have had him ready to go right around Opening Day, but he appears to be potentially a bit behind schedule since his availability for the start of the season is now in doubt.

The Nationals have declined Gomes' $9 million club option for 2020, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Gomes was acquired by the Nationals from the Indians in November 2018 and was the team's Opening Day starter behind the plate, but he split starting duties with Kurt Suzuki for most of the season. Suzuki was much more successful offensively (.810 OPS vs. Gomes .705 OPS) and was the regular starter in the playoffs until an injury. Gomes remains a plus-defender and figures to receive moderate interest in free agency.

Heim had his contract selected by the Athletics on Friday.

Oakland will protect Heim from the Rule 5 draft by placing him on the 40-man roster. He played in 35 games with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2019, hitting .358 with four homers and 19 RBI.

Wallach (concussion) was reinstated from the 60-day inured list Friday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Players can't spend the offseason on the injured list, so the move indicates nothing about Wallach's health. A concussion the catcher suffered in late May lingered for the rest of the season, and he played in just four rehab games the rest of the season, with just one of those coming after the All-Star break.

Grandal declined his $16 million dollar option in his contract for 2020 and will become a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The move was largely expected, as Grandal took a gamble by signing a short-term deal with the Brewers this past offseason rather than accepting a long-term contract. The 30-year-old had a career-high 28 home runs with an .848 OPS that was his highest mark since his first season in the majors. Given his output in 2019, Grandal should get a large contract this offseason and play a major role in a team's offense.