MLB Player News

The Indians tendered contracts to their five arbitration-eligible players Tuesday, according to MLB.com. They are pitcher Carlos Carrasco, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall, pitcher Marc Rzepczynski, pitcher Bryan Shaw and pitcher Josh Tomlin.

The White Sox announced Tuesday they declined to tender contracts to pitcher Scott Carroll and pitcher Scott Snodgress. Both players are now free agents.

Carroll went 5-10 with a 4.80 ERA in 26 appearances (19 starts) in 2014, while Snodgress had a 15.43 ERA in four relief appearances.

It appears the Yankees are more likely to sign free agent reliever Andrew Miller than re-sign closer David Robertson, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Robertson could land a deal more lucrative than Jonathan Papelbon's four-year, $50 million contract, which is a record for a reliever. While Robertson is likely to make in the range of $12 million to $14 million per season, Miller could be in the range of $8 million to $11 million, which appears to be more to the Yankees liking.

The Angels are expected to tender a contract offer to third baseman David Freese by Tuesday's deadline, according to the Los Angeles Times. Freese is expected to make $6.3 million in arbitration.

However, the team is not expected to tender an offer to infielder Gordon Beckham. The team would like to have Beckham back on the roster next season, but not for the $5 million he is projected to make in his third year of arbitration.

The Angels are also expected to tender offers to Garrett Richards, Kevin Jepsen, Hector Santiago, Fernando Salas and Collin Cowgill.

The Athletics have dealt third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays for third baseman Brett Lawrie and pitcher Kendall Graveman, according to FoxSports.com. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed the deal.

Pitcher Sean Nolin and shortstop Franklin Barreto are also heading to Oakland, according to Yahoo! The 28-year-old Donaldson is entering his first year of arbitration. He's under team control until 2019. Lawrie is also entering his first year of arbitration, but will become a free-agent in 2018. Lawrie is entering his age-25 season. Graveman sky-rocketed through Toronto's farm system last year, jumping multiple levels. The 23-year-old posted a 1.83 ERA in 27 starts over four levels. He made his major-league debut as well, coming out of the bullpen five times at the end of the year. 

The 24-year-old Nolin posted a 3.43 ERA over three levels in the minors last season. He tossed one inning in the majors last season, giving up one run. The 18-year-old Barreto hit .311/.384/.481 over 328 at-bats in Class A ball. 

The White Sox have designated right-handed pitcher Scott Carroll for assignment. The move was made to make room for newly signed Adam LaRoche on the 40-man roster.

Carroll went 5-10 last season with a 4.80 ERA. 

The Astros have expressed interest in signing pitcher David Robertson, reports the New York Post.

The Astros are in the market for a closer and the team has contacted Robertson’s agent.

In 2014, Robertson saved 39 games for the Yankees and the team is interested in bringing him back, but are reportedly hesitant to offer him a four-year deal.

The Rays have finalized the 40-man roster on Thursday.

The team designated Cole Figueroa, Michael Kohn and Jose Molina for assignment, freeing up space on the roster. The team then added Matt Andriese , Ryan Brett , Grayson Garvin, Mikie Mahtook  and Justin O’Conner to the 40-man roster. 

The Astros announced Thursday they added infielder Ronald Torreyes and pitcher Vincent Velasquez to the 40-man roster. Pitcher Anthony Bass was also outrighted to Triple-A.

Torreyes hit .298 with two home runs, five triples, 20 doubles and 46 RBI in 126 games last season for Triple-A Oklahoma City. 

Velasquez went 7-5 with a 3.52 ERA in 18 appearances (13 starts) between Rookie League and high Class A last season.

The Yankees' "absolute top priority" remains re-signing closer David Robertson, the New York Daily News reports.

According to the report, general manager Brian Cashman's game plan this offseason is to improve by building an elite bullpen and matching it with a more productive and versatile bench. The team has already re-signed fourth outfielder Chris Young and traded a backup catcher for lefty reliever Justin Wilson. Following that game plan, retaining Robertson will be prioritized over bringing back free agents Chase Headley and Brandon McCarthy.