MLB Player News

Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio has avoided arbitration with the club, according to the New York Post. 

Nicasio will make $2.025 million next season. He's coming off a season in which he posted a 5.14 ERA in 157 2/3 innings.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has some trade protection in his new contract, according to the New York Post. 

While the deal does not contain a no-trade clause, Kershaw can void his deal if traded. If the Dodgers deal Kershaw to another club, he can void the deal the following offseason, making him a free-agent. He's also eligible to receive a one time $3 million bonus if dealt. The clause ensures that Kershaw will have some control over what team he goes to as it's unlikely a team would deal for him knowing he would leave the following offseason. 

The Dodgers and starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw have agreed on a seven-year, $215 million contract, sources told ESPN. The deal includes an opt-out clause after five years.

Reds starting pitcher prospect Robert Stephenson headlined a list of five players invited to spring training as non-roster invitees Wednesday. Stephenson is considered the Reds' top prospect by Baseball America.

The other four players receiving spring invites were Jeff Francis, Tim Crabbe, Drew Hayes and Michael Lorenzen.

The Dodgers and ace Clayton Kershaw could agree to a record-breaking deal this week, major-league sources told FOX Sports. The Dodgers want to sign Kershaw to a contract extension by Friday, which is the deadline for teams to exchange contract proposals with players who filed for arbitration.

It was reported in August that the two-time NL Cy Young winner was close to signing a seven-year, $210 million extension before the Dodgers backed off. The contract under discussion during the 2013 season would have included an opt-out clause, giving Kershaw the right to become a free agent after five years, sources said.

The Marlins were very encouraged with how starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez fared in the Venezuelan Winter League. The right-hander, who was slowed by a shoulder injury at the start of last season, was 2-0 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in five starts this winter.

"We wanted him to pitch because he missed the better part of the season," pitching coach Chuck Hernandez told MLB.com. "I think it will help when he comes to camp. I'm kind of pleased on that front with Henderson. If he had thrown 200 innings, we would have probably had a little different idea."

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg will receive a $3.975-million base salary with performance incentives in 2014, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports.

Strasburg and the Nationals avoided arbitration Friday, agreeing to the one-year deal. He's on track to return from minor elbow surgery in spring training.

The Nationals and pitcher Stephen Strasburg have agreed to terms on a deal, thereby avoiding arbitration, the team announced Friday. Terms of the deal were not revealed in the announcement.

Strasburg underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow in October, but he is expected to be ready for spring training. He went 8-9 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 191:56 K:BB ratio in 183 innings over 30 starts last season.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told MLB.com he would like to sign a veteran pitcher to a minor-league deal, with the intent of pitting him against Jenrry Mejia, Rafael Montero and Jacob deGrom in the competition for the final spot in the team's rotation.

Bartolo Colon, Jonathon Niese, Dillon Gee and Zack Wheeler are expected to fill out the first four spots in the team's rotation.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti acknowledged Wednesday the team continues to have ongoing discussions with starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw about a long-term contract. Kershaw won his second NL Cy Young award in 2013.

"We have had conversations for a while. We have a desire to keep him here for a long time," Colletti said.