MLB Player News

Smith, who arrived from the Blue Jays in the Matt Chapman trade Wednesday, is one of the primary candidates to fill the Athletics' third base job, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was in line to compete for the Blue Jays' starting third base job before the trade, and he now reportedly has a strong chance of succeeding the player he was moved for. Smith has logged plenty of time at shortstop during his minor-league career, and he's already made 14 big-league appearances at the hot corner, all last season. Smith struggled with the bat during his 18-game cup of coffee with Toronto (.094/.194/.188), but he'd earned the promotion courtesy of his .285 average, .931 OPS, 52 extra-base hits and 69 RBI in 94 games at Triple-A Buffalo.

Crawford and the Mariners avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.85 million contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Crawford will more than double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility. While his profile is still driven by his defense, he's coming off a year in which he produced an above-average batting line for the first time, as his .273/.338/.376 triple slash was good for a 103 wRC+.

Diaz signed a one-year, $4.45 million contract with the Astros on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The agreement means Diaz will avoid arbitration in his final year of eligibility. The utility infielder is coming off a season in which he hit .259/.317/.405 in 84 games, good for a 99 wRC+.

Mondesi agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with Kansas City on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi struggled to stay healthy a season ago, and with his contract now in order, he can focus on his play. It's already been reported early in camp that he's in line for the starting job at shortstop, though the Royals may also elect to give him looks around the infield given his versatility. It'll also be worth keeping an eye on whether Kansas City plans to grant Mondesi regular rest, given his past injuries.

Smith (ankle) will start at shortstop and bat eighth Monday in the Rangers' Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Texas scratched Smith from its lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers while he contended with a sore ankle, but the extra day off was apparently all the infield prospect needed to move past the issue. Smith, who was one of several farmhands the Rangers acquired last summer in the deal that sent Joey Gallo to the Yankees, slashed .294/.425/.431 with three home runs and seven stolen bases across 127 plate appearances at Double-A Frisco following his arrival from New York.

Allen went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run in a Cactus League loss to the Reds on Saturday.

It was encouraging for fantasy managers to see Allen, who's already considered an elite defender at shortstop, flash with the bat against big-league pitching with his leadoff triple in the fifth inning. The 23-year-old was impressive last spring with the bat as well with a .300/.344/.400 slash line in 31 plate appearances. After following it up with an even more impressive .319/.374/.471 tally at Double-A Midland, Allen struggled some against Triple-A arms at Las Vegas (.243/.302/.301 in 151 PAs), but a strong enough spring at the plate could conceivably see him latch on to a roster spot.

Baez went 0-for-2 and played four innings at shortstop in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Baez batted third, behind Robbie Grossman and Riley Greene, with Jonathan Schoop following that trio. Baez will be a focal point of Detroit's offensive attack this year, and while he's a bit of a free swinger (33.6 percent strikeout rate in 2021), he should still post good counting stats. The 29-year-old should also be back at shortstop on a regular basis after playing at second base next to Francisco Lindor when he joined the Mets at the trade deadline last season.

Story agreed to a contract with the Red Sox on Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Story will receive $140 million over six years with the Red Sox, and the deal includes an opt out after the 2025 season, which Boston can negate by picking up a seventh year for the contract. Xander Bogaerts has been locked in as Boston's shortstop since 2014 and will remain at the position, per Jim Bowden of The Athletic, though Story is viewed as the superior defender. Regardless of how the pair is positioned between shortstop and second base, the team now features one of the best middle infield pairings in the league. Story hit .251/.329/.471 with 24 home runs, 88 runs, 75 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 142 games last season in Colorado and will continue his career with Boston as its new second baseman.

Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers due to ankle soreness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith was initially slated to start at second base against Milwaukee, but he never took the field due to his ankle injury. The move is mainly considered precautionary, so it's possible that the 24-year-old will be back in action within a few days.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring game against Kansas City.

The Rangers showcased their major offseason acquisitions Friday with Seager batting second behind Marcus Semien at leadoff. Each made his Cactus League debut. Seager had his most plate appearances in 2021 out of the two-hole for the Dodgers.