MLB Player News

Stephenson signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Pirates on Friday to avoid arbitration, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

It was a tale of two seasons for Stephenson in 2022. After posting a 6.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with the Rockies, he was pushed off their roster and was claimed by the Pirates in late August. Upon joining Pittsburgh, Stephenson put up a 3.38 ERA and 0.82 WHIP to close out the season. If the 29-year-old righty can carry that success with Pittsburgh over into 2023, there's a good chance he establishes himself as the team's primary setup man.

Underwood signed a one-year, $1.025 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

In his second season with the Pirates, Underwood reached the double-digit hold mark for the first time in his career and recorded his first career save as well. If the 28-year old can continue to strike batters out at an acceptable rate (8.95 K/9 in 2022) and give up fewer long balls, there's a good chance the Pirates let him pitch more often in high-leverage situations in 2023.

Hicks and the Cardinals agreed on a one-year, $1.8375 contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Hicks and the team will avoid arbitration after coming to terms on a deal for 2023 on Friday. The right-hander produced a 4.84 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and eight holds over 61.1 innings in 35 appearances, including eight starts, with St. Louis last season. Hicks will likely open the 2023 campaign as a setup option ahead of closer Ryan Helsley in the Cardinals' bullpen.

Heuer (elbow) and the Cubs agreed on a one-year, $785,000 contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The right-hander missed the entirety of the 2022 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early March and he will look to make his return to the mound in 2023. Heuer last pitched in 2021, producing a 4.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 56 strikeouts over 67.1 innings in 65 appearances between the White Sox and Cubs.

Soto agreed to a one-year, $3.925 million contract with the Phillies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Soto, and he'll receive a significant raise after he posted a 3.34 ERA with 48 saves while working as Detroit's closer for the past two seasons. The 27-year-old was acquired by the Phillies last weekend and is likely to see his save opportunities drop as a member of a closer committee that also features Craig Kimbrel and and Seranthony Dominguez.

Hader agreed to a one-year, $14.1 million contract with the Padres on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's the biggest salary an arbitration-eligible reliever has ever received, and it comes in the left-hander's final year before being eligible for free agency. Hader had an ugly and uncharacteristic 5.22 ERA between the Brewers and Padres in 2022, though that figure was heavily inflated by five outings in which he gave up three runs or more. He still went 36-for-40 in save chances, and he should be once of the top closers in baseball again in 2023.

Ferguson and the Dodgers settled on a one-year, $1.1 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The reliever was very effective in 2022, posting a 1.82 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and seven holds over 34.2 innings in 37 appearances out of the Dodgers' bullpen. Ferguson will likely operate in a significant role again in 2023.

Scott agreed to a $2.825 million contract with the Marlins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The 28-year-old led the Marlins with 20 saves last season, but he struggled during the second half while Dylan Floro finished the campaign as the primary closer. Scott finished with a 4.31 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 90:46 K:BB across 62.2 innings and is likely to open 2023 in a setup role.

Junis signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Giants on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Junis put up a 4.42 ERA and 98:25 K:BB over 112 innings for the Giants in 2022 while serving as a traditional starter and bulk reliever. The 30-year-old would appear to be slated for a relief role in 2023, at least to open the season.

Minter signed a one-year, $4.3 million contract with Atlanta on Friday to avoid arbitration.

Minter was one of the best relievers in baseball in 2022, collecting a 2.06 ERA, five saves and a 94:15 K:BB over 70 innings with a major-league leading 35 holds. He'll presumably enter 2023 in a high-leverage role once again, but behind Raisel Iglesias in the pecking order for saves in Atlanta's bullpen.