MLB Player News

Alcala agreed to a one-year, $790,000 deal with the Twins on Thursday that includes a $1.5 million club option for 2025, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Alcala gets a $55,000 buyout if the Twins decline the 2025 option. The 28-year-old righty has sat around 95 mph with his fastball over the past two seasons after previously sitting around 97 mph in 2020 and 2021. He has been limited by injuries the past two seasons and will likely work in low-leverage situations initially in 2024.

Loaisiga (elbow) signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Loaisiga was limited to only 17.2 innings during 2023 due to an elbow injury and subsequent aggravation of the issue. He's expected to be healthy entering 2024 and could handle a high-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Swanson agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson was an excellent setup man for closer Jordan Romano in his first year with the Blue Jays after getting traded from Seattle. Swanson had a 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 75 strikeouts, four wins and four saves in 66.2 innings.

Sandlin signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Sandlin threw a career-high 60 innings during 2023 and posted an impressive all-around season by maintaining a 3.75 ERA and 1.03 WHIP to go along with a 66:24 K:BB. He should maintain a key spot in Cleveland's bullpen in 2024.

Richards agreed to a one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 30-year-old swing man has made three or more starts in five of his six MLB seasons but he has not logged more than 75 innings since he threw 135.1 frames in 2019. Richards had a 4.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 72.2 innings last year.

Pearson agreed to a one-year, $800K deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He won't be getting a significant raise after logging a 4.85 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings with the big club last season. Pearson still throws pretty hard, but he also gives up a lot of hard contact (47.5 percent last year). He should work in the middle innings this season.

Hentges signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hentges broke out in 2022 after shifting to a full-time relief role. He took a moderate step back in 2023 by posting a 3.61 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 52.1 innings, but he still managed a 17 percent K-BB%. After recording 15 holds last season, Hentges should have the chance to serve in a high-leverage role once again in 2024.

Barlow signed a one-year, $6.7 million deal with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Guardians acquired Barlow from the Padres in mid-November, the second time in the calendar year he was dealt. It was a disappointing 2023 season for the reliever -- he posted a 4.37 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 68 innings -- but he had been reliable for a few years prior. If Barlow can bounce back, he should occupy a high-leverage role in Cleveland's bullpen.

Karinchak signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Karinchak walked 28 batters across 39 innings in 2023, but he still managed a solid 3.23 ERA with 52 strikeouts. While Emmanuel Clase is almost certainly locked into the closer role in Cleveland, Karinchak could be a decent source of holds.

Holmes signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Yankees on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Holmes has served as the Yankees' primary closer each of the last two seasons, recording a combined 44 saves. He also managed a career-best 18.3 K-BB% across 63 frames in 2023 and should continue to rack up save chances in 2024.