MLB Player News

Cease signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Cease followed up his impressive 2022 campaign with a disappointing 2023, posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP alongside a 214:79 K:BB through 177 innings. Despite his decline, Cease remains a likely candidate to be traded for prospects prior to or during the season as the White Sox continue their rebuild.

The Astros and Urquidy avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.75 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Urquidy was eligible for arbitration for the second time. The right-hander had a down 2023 campaign that was sabotaged by injury, as he finished with a 5.29 ERA over 63 innings. He wouldn't seem to be guaranteed a rotation spot heading into 2024.

McClanahan (elbow) signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

McClanahan underwent Tommy John surgery in August, making it unlikely he pitches at all in 2024. However, if the 26-year-old lefty is able to return this season, he would add an extra $120,000 to his 2025 salary for every start he makes.

Skubal and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $2.65 million deal Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

This is obviously a massive value for Detroit, as Skubal pitched like a frontline starter after returning from injury last season. The 27-year-old lefty logged a 2.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 80.1 innings across 15 starts.

The Mets and Lucchesi avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.65 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Lucchesi was arbitration-eligible for the second time. The southpaw posted a 2.89 ERA in nine starts for the Mets in 2023, although that came with a 32:17 K:BB over 46.2 frames. Lucchesi could be used as a swingman in 2024.

The Phillies and Suarez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.05 million contract Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez gets a raise in what was his second year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander posted a 4.18 ERA and 119:48 K:BB across 125 innings covering 22 starts for Philadelphia in 2023. He'll be relied upon heavily by Philly again in 2024

Ferris was traded from the Cubs to the Dodgers along with Zyhir Hope on Thursday in exchange for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

This is a nice pickup for the Dodgers, as Almonte and Busch were spare parts and Ferris is a high-upside lefty whom they won't need to add to the 40-man roster for several seasons. Ferris, who turns 20 later this month, is 6-foot-4 and is extremely projectable. He had a 3.38 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 77 strikeouts and a 53.4 percent groundball rate in 56 innings (18 starts) at Single-A in 2023. The Dodgers should be able to maximize his electric arsenal, and his top priority in 2024 will be building up his workload while showing he can turn a lineup over more than once.

Atlanta and Fried avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $15 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The was Fried's final year of arbitration eligibility, as he's currently slated for free agency next offseason. He was limited to 14 starts in 2023 because of injury but was terrific when healthy, holding a 2.55 ERA and 80:18 K:BB over 77.2 innings of work. Fried will enter spring training with no restrictions.

The Guardians and Bieber avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $13.125 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Bieber had been projected as one of the highest earners via the arbitration process in what was his final year of eligibility. The veteran right-hander posted a 3.80 ERA and 107:34 K:BB over 128 innings covering 21 starts for Cleveland in 2023. His stuff and strikeouts have been ticking down and he missed time with an elbow injury last season, but Bieber will be healthy heading into spring training.

The Dodgers and Buehler avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8.025 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's the same salary Buehler received in 2023 when he missed the entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old was eligible for arbitration for the final time, as he's currently slated to hit free agency next winter. Buehler did begin a rehab assignment in September and is slated to be ready to roll for Opening Day, although workload restrictions are likely.