MLB Player News

Diaz and the Mets avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $7 million deal, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Diaz didn't manage to keep the closer job all season last year thanks to some early-season struggles, but his year-end numbers represented quite an impressive bounceback from his poor 2019 campaign. He finished the year with a career-low 1.75 ERA and a career-high 45.5 percent strikeout rate, presumably setting himself up quite well to be the Mets' closer again in 2021.

Jimenez and the Tigers settled on a one-year, $1.5 million contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Jimenez struggled significantly in 2020, losing his closer job while posting a 7.15 ERA in 22.2 innings. The Tigers don't have any obvious candidates for the role going forward, but Jimenez's career 5.65 ERA hardly suggests he should be favored to win it even though he's pitched in the ninth inning in the past.

Minter and the Braves agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Minter didn't add to his 20 career saves last season but still had quite a strong campaign. He allowed just two earned runs in 21.2 innings, good for a 0.83 ERA, while his 28.2 percent strikeout rate was his best mark since his 15-inning debut back in 2017.

Maton signed a one-year, $975,000 contract with Cleveland on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Maton doesn't have the requisite saves to get a big payday in arbitration -- his lone career save came in 2017 with San Diego. It seems like he was pretty unlucky last year, as he had a sparkling 27.1 K-BB% and 2.22 FIP, but his 60.1 percent strand rate and .415 BABIP led to a 4.57 ERA. He should work in mid-leverage spots this season.

Alvarado avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The Phillies will be hoping Alvarado can plug a hole in their historically leaky bullpen this season. He's been a high-leverage reliever at times in the past, but he's since struggled through a pair of injury-filled campaigns, posting a 5.08 ERA and a 17.3 percent walk rate over that stretch.

Hader signed a one-year, $6.675 million deal with the Brewers on Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Last year, the two sides could not come to terms and Hader ended up losing his arbitration hearing, settling for $4.1 million. Both sides are likely thankful to avoid such an unpleasant process this time around. He enters the season as the Brewers' clear closer, but trade rumors should linger throughout the offseason.

Lamet (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million deal with the Padres on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

While Lamet is a big injury risk heading into 2021, that wasn't going to prevent him from getting rewarded handsomely on the heels of a season in which he logged a 2.09 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 69 innings. He underwent PRP therapy on his elbow in October in an effort to avoid surgery, but that doesn't mean he is out of the woods health-wise. There will likely be vague positive reports on his status throughout the offseason, but it would be nice to see him pitching well in games this spring before investing for the 2021 season.

Manaea signed a one-year, $5.95 million deal with Oakland on Friday to avoid arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The two sides were able to reach a deal ahead of Friday's deadline, and the left-hander is now officially under contract for 2021. Manaea had a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 45:8 K:BB over 54 innings during 2020 and should enter spring training as a member of the starting rotation.

Lopez and the White Sox agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 27-year-old righty's breakout failed to arrive in 2020. Instead, he took another step backwards, posting a 6.49 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in eight starts. He struck out a modest 19.8 percent of opposing batters while walking a career-worst 12.4 percent. He'll have to step things up if he's to remain a part of the rotation for the increasingly competitive White Sox.

Reyes and the Cardinals agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Back when Reyes debuted as a highly touted prospect in 2016, he probably assumed he'd be earning a much higher salary by now. Injuries have prevented him from getting his career off to a smooth start, but he looked good in 19.2 innings last season, with his 31.4 percent strikeout rate offsetting a 16.3 percent walk rate, leading to a 3.20 ERA.