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.

Hernandez agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 26-year-old righty has a career 4.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 126 strikeouts in 123 innings as a reliever after not panning out as a starter. Hernandez notched four saves and averaged 99 mph on his fastball last season, but he probably won't be the go-to option at closer, barring several injuries ahead of him on the depth chart.

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.

The Yankees and Gonzalez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $860,000 contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

It was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Acquired from the Dodgers in a trade last month, Gonzalez posted a 4.01 ERA and 30:10 K:BB over 33.2 frames with the big club in 2023 in his first year back from elbow issues.

The Angels and Quijada (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $840,000 contract Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Quijada, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May. He'll be sidelined until around midseason, at least.

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 Royals and Anderson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.575 million contract Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Anderson was in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Acquired from Atlanta via trade in November, Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 36:9 K:BB over 35.1 frames in 2023. He's a good bet to be effective for as long as he can remain healthy in 2024.

The Blue Jays and Mayza avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.59 million contract Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mayza was arbitration-eligible for the second time. The southpaw reliever has been super reliable for Toronto over the last three seasons, posting a 2.67 ERA and 154:39 K:BB over 155 innings out of its bullpen.

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.