MLB Player News

The Phillies and Suarez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8.8 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

It was the third and final year of arbitration eligibility for Suarez. The veteran left-hander had a 2.76 ERA in the first half but just a 5.65 ERA in eight starts during due to a back injury. Suarez entered the offseason healthy and will be heading into his walk year in 2025.

Manoah (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Following a delayed start to the season, Manoah was able to turn in a 3.70 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 24.1 innings before a sprained UCL ended his campaign early in late May. The 27-year-old underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure to address the issue in June and is targeting August for his return to a big-league mound in 2025.

Lodolo agreed to a one-year, $1.975 million contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo finished last season with a 4.76 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 115.1 innings and continued to struggle with injuries, as calf, groin and finger issues all caused him to miss several chunks of the year. When healthy, the 26-year-old southpaw has shown flashes of what once made him a top prospect, but he'll be hard for fantasy managers to trust until he proves he can stay off the injured list for an extended period of time.

The Dodgers and Kopech avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million contract Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kopech had been eligible for salary arbitration for the third and final time. The hard-throwing right-hander was dominant down the stretch for the Dodgers after being acquired via trade, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 24 regular-season innings. Kopech should be in the mix for saves in 2025 but will have competition.

Houck agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million contract with the Red Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

After logging a 5.01 ERA in 2023, Houck bounced back with a 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP last season while also posting a 154:48 K:BB over 178.2 frames. His improvement will earn him a $3.18 million raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility, and the 28-year-old righty is expected to follow new acquisition Garrett Crochet atop the Red Sox's rotation.

The Orioles and Bradish (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.35 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

It's a nice raise for Bradish, who qualified for arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 player. The right-hander will be sidelined until around midseason of 2025 while continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace.

The Orioles and Kremer avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.95 million contract Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Kremer had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The right-hander collected a 4.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 123:51 K:BB across 129.2 frames covering 24 regular-season starts with the Orioles in 2024 and will be part of their rotation again in 2025.

Cease agreed to a one-year, $13.75 million contract with the Padres on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cease will receive a raise of almost $6 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility. The 29-year-old posted a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 224:65 K:BB over 189.1 innings during the regular season and is now entering a contract year.

Skubal agreed to a one-year, $10.15 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The left-hander will get a raise of nearly $8 million in his second year of arbitration eligibility after unanimously winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2024. Skubal posted a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 228:35 K:BB across 192 regular-season innings and should be one of the top pitchers in baseball again this year.

The Cubs and Steele avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year $6.55 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander had been eligible for salary arbitration for the second time. Steele missed a little time with injury in 2024 but was highly effective again when on the bump, putting up a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 135:37 K:BB across 134.2 innings.