MLB Player News

Higashioka signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract with Texas on Monday, which includes a $7 million mutual option for 2027.

Higashioka will add a veteran presence to the backstop position for Texas and is likely to share the workload with Jonah Heim, who struggled during the 2024 campaign. Higashioka is coming off one of his most productive seasons at the plate, swatting a career-high 17 home runs and recording 45 RBI in 84 games for the Padres.

The Giants signed Stassi (hip) to a minor-league contract Nov. 19.

Stassi became a free agent earlier this month when the White Sox declined his 2025 option, but he's quickly latched on with a new organization. The veteran catcher had left hip surgery in June and it's not clear whether he will be healthy for the start of spring training. Regardless, Stassi is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Sacramento, as the Giants are set at catcher with Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.

Thaiss signed a one-year deal with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After the Angels designated Thaiss for assignment Nov. 14, he was traded to the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Unless the Cubs make another move in the offseason, Thaiss is projected to serve as the backup catcher to Miguel Amaya. Thaiss slashed .204/.323/.299 with two home runs and 16 RBI over 186 plate appearances during the 2024 regular season with the Angels.

Stubbs signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration.

The 31-year-old will serve as the Phillies' backup catcher behind J.T. Realmuto for a fourth straight season in 2025. Stubbs finished the 2024 regular season with a .207/.296/.262 slash line, five stolen bases, one home run and 11 RBI over 186 plate appearances.

The Mets signed Reetz to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Barring something unforeseen, Reetz isn't going to make the Opening Day roster, but he will give the Mets' some veteran catching depth. The 28-year-old got into six games with the Giants this past season, picking up a double and a home run in 15 plate appearances.

The Brewers and Haase avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Haase had been in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 31-year-old slashed .273/.304/.515 with five homers in 30 games with the Brewers this season and is slated to open the 2025 campaign as William Contreras' backup.

The Cubs acquired Thaiss from the Angels on Wednesday in exchange for cash consideration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Thaiss was designated for assignment last week and has now found a new home. The Cubs are looking for catching help this offseason, although Thaiss wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade over Miguel Amaya. As things stand right now, he and Amaya could share starts at the position.

The Rockies re-signed Stallings on Wednesday to a one-year, $2 million contract with a $2 million mutual option for 2026.

Stallings declined his portion of a mutual option for 2025 earlier this month but is now back in Colorado on a new deal. The veteran catcher slashed .263/.357/.453 with nine homers over 82 games for the Rockies in 2024. Stallings will likely share catching duties with Drew Romo in 2025, although Hunter Goodman could also be in the mix.

The Angels designated Thaiss for assignment Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Thaiss slashed .204/.323/.299 with 16 RBI across 186 plate appearances last year while serving as the primary backup to Logan O'Hoppe -- a role the newly signed Travis d'Arnaud is expected to fill. Thaiss may draw interest from other teams in need of depth at catcher, though no landing spot is likely to result in a starting job for the 29-year-old backstop.

The Angels signed d'Arnaud to a two-year, $12 million contract Tuesday.

Atlanta declined d'Arnaud's $8 million club option for 2025 last week, but the veteran catcher quickly found a multi-year pact with a new organization. It's not an ideal landing spot for fantasy since d'Arnaud will be second on the catching depth chart behind Logan O'Hoppe, but he could still play enough to be a viable option in deeper formats. D'Arnaud, who turns 36 in February, slashed .238/.302/.436 with 15 home runs over 99 regular-season games in 2024.