MLB Player News

The Rockies and Lambert avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million contract Thursday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Lambert receives a nice little raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander's 2023 season ended with a 5.36 ERA and biceps tendinitis, but he should be healthy for the start of spring training.

Helsley signed a one-year, $3.8 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

A forearm strain forced Helsley to miss roughly three months of the 2023 campaign, but he still managed to accumulate 14 saves while posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 36.2 innings. The 29-year-old righty surrendered just one run and struck out 19 batters in 11.2 innings after returning from his injury and should again close for the Cardinals in 2024.

Feyereisen (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $770,000 deal with the Dodgers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He was traded to the Dodgers from the Rays in December of 2022 after Tampa Bay initially designated him for assignment, and he missed the entire 2023 season recovering from shoulder surgery, so it's not surprising to see Feyereisen get one of the lowest deals among arbitration-eligible players. The 30-year-old reliever did not give up an earned run in 24.1 innings for the Rays in 2022. He has four career saves in 83 appearances.

Phillips agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Dodgers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The offseason isn't over, and Josh Hader remains unsigned while other top relievers could be getting shopped, but as things stand, Phillips would be the Dodgers' top ninth-inning option again in 2024. He had a 2.05 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 66 strikeouts and 24 saves in 62 games last season.

The Cubs and Leiter avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Leiter has turned himself into a valuable reliever for the Cubs, having held a 3.50 ERA and 77:24 K:BB over 64.1 innings last season. He should see action in high-leverage spots again this year.

The Phillies and Hoffman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.2 million contract Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It was the final year of arbitration eligibility for Hoffman, who is coming off his best season in the majors after collecting a 2.41 ERA and 69:19 K:BB over 52.1 innings. He'll be a high-leverage option out of the Phillies' bullpen again in 2024.

The Pirates and Bednar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.51 million contract Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's a sizable, well-earned raise for Bednar in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. He's collected 61 saves while posting a 2.25 ERA and 226:56 K:BB over 179.2 innings during his time in Pittsburgh, blossoming into one of the best closers in baseball.

Almonte was traded from the Dodgers to the Cubs along with Michael Busch in exchange for Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers wanted to open up some 40-man roster spots, so they'll turn Almonte and Busch into a pair of yet to be reported minor leaguers. Almonte, 29, has a 96-mph fastball and struck out 49 in 48 innings for the Dodgers last season, but his 5.06 ERA and 1.40 WHIP prevented him from turning in positive fantasy value. He should work in lower leverage situations.

The Dodgers and Yarbrough avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Yarbrough was in his final year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander held a 4.52 ERA and 67:14 K:BB over 89.2 frames for the Royals and Dodgers in 2023.

Atlanta and Minter avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.22 million contract, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

It's a well-earned raise for Minter in his final year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander's 3.76 ERA in 2023 was a tad elevated, but he boasted an 82:21 K:BB over 64.2 innings while notching 10 saves. Minter will be counted on in high-leverage spots again in 2024.