MLB Player News

Cimber and the Marlins avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $925,000 deal, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The two sides won't have to start their relationship off with a potentially acrimonious arbitration hearing after Cimber was acquired from Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations in late November. The right-hander should work mainly as a low-leverage reliever for Miami in 2021.

Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old began the 2020 campaign in Japan but returned to affiliated ball with the Reds in August on a minor-league deal. Jackson last appeared in the majors with the Brewers in 2019 and posted a 4.45 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB over 30.1 innings.

Hicks signed a one-year, $862,500 contract with the Cardinals on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Hicks gets a raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility despite the fact that he didn't play at all in 2020. He was already set to miss a portion of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he wound up electing to opt out of the entire campaign, as his status as a Type 1 diabetic meant that playing during a pandemic would be unwise. He's expected to enter the upcoming season fully healthy and retains the huge potential that comes with his record-setting heat, but his injury history makes him something of a risk.

Castro signed a one-year, $1.6875 million contract with the Mets on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The 26-year-old was acquired from the Orioles at the August trade deadline and allowed four runs on 11 hits with a 14:8 K:BB during his brief time with the Mets. Castro should enter spring training in a middle relief role for New York.

Norris and the Tigers agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.475 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Norris had the best season of his seven-year career in 2020, posting a 3.25 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, though it came in a small sample of just 27.2 innings. That ERA was backed by a solid combination of a 24.1 percent strikeout rate, 6.0 percent walk rate and 55.7 percent groundball rate, setting him up to be a useful member of the Tigers' pitching staff in 2021.

Trivino signed a one-year, $912,500 contract with Oakland on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 29-year-old came on strong in 2020 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings. Trivino has an outside chance at the closer's role in 2021 following the departure of Liam Hendriks, though Jake Diekman is A's top internal candidate.

Farmer and the Tigers agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.85 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Farmer posted his second straight season of competent relief work in 2020, following up his 3.72 ERA from the previous season with a 3.80 mark over 21.1 innings. A big drop in his strikeout rate from 25.3 percent to 15.7 percent casts some doubt on his ability to repeat that number in 2021, however.

Montero and the Mariners avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.25 million deal, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Montero will nearly triple his $785,000 salary from last season. His 4.08 ERA wasn't anything special, but he picked up his first eight career saves and looks set to pick up several more as the top ninth-inning option for the Mariners this season.

Garcia signed a one-year, $1.9 million deal with the Marlins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The 30-year-old was near spotless during his first season in Miami with a 0.60 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB across 15 innings. Garcia could be in the mix for the closer's job in spring training for Miami.

Estevez and the Rockies agreed to a one-year, $1.45 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Esteven struggled to a 7.50 ERA in 24 innings of relief last season. A .380 BABIP can seemingly be blamed for a fair portion of his struggles, however, as his 23.3 percent strikeout rate and 7.8 percent walk rate were both acceptable numbers.