MLB Player News

Downs received an invitation to the Red Sox's major-league spring training Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The organization's top prospect spent 2020 at the alternate training site, so he still received some developmental time despite the lack of a minor-league season. Downs had a brief 12-game stint at Double-A in 2019, but he spent most of the year at the High-A level and posted an .861 OPS with 19 homers and 23 stolen bases in 107 games. The 22-year-old could make his major-league debut in 2021, though he's facing long odds to make the Opening Day roster.

Correa agreed to a one-year, $11.7 million contract with the Astros on Saturday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Correa was slated to go to arbitration during the offseason, but he was able to reach an agreement with Houston ahead of the case. The 26-year-old posted a .709 OPS with five home runs and 25 RBI over 58 games during the abbreviated 2020 season and will serve as the Astros' starting shortstop once again in 2021.

Witt was invited Friday to the Royals' big-league spring training.

The second overall pick in the 2019 draft should attend more than a few big-league camps by the time his career is over. He's not particularly close to pushing for an actual roster spot, however, as his only professional experience to date has come at the rookie-ball level.

Franco (biceps) was invited to the Rays' big-league camp Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco might not be given serious consideration for an Opening Day roster spot, as he's yet to play above High-A, but his debut probably isn't too far off. While he's still just 19 years old, his bat is incredibly advanced for his age, as he owns a career .336/.405/.523 slash line with more walks than strikeouts in 175 games as a professional, numbers that would be impressive anywhere, let alone shortstop. Franco suffered a biceps injury in the Dominican Republic over the winter but appears to have escaped without any structural damage.

Allen was invited to Oakland's big-league camp Monday.

The 22-year-old shortstop has yet to advance beyond High-A, but he looked quite good at that level in 2019, hitting .292/.363/.434 there for Stockton in 2019. His prospect profile is driven by his excellent glove, as he has very little power, hitting a grand total of four homers in 228 career professional games.

Wendle and the Rays avoided arbitration with a one-year, $2.25 million deal Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wendle bounced back from a poor 2019 campaign with a strong season for the 2020 AL pennant winners, hitting .286/.342/.435 in 50 games. His four homers and eight steals would have translated to 10.8 homers and 21.6 steals over a full, 162-game season, both of which would have been career highs.

Mondesi agreed to a one-year, $2.52 million contract with the Royals on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Perhaps the most divisive player in fantasy baseball heading into 2021 drafts, Mondesi could lead the majors in steals by a wide margin. However, it's easy to point out that his plate skills are quite poor relative to the players who typically get drafted in the first couple rounds of drafts. He should be able to stay in the lineup even amid long slumps, as his defense at shortstop is extremely valuable and he is still just 25 years old.

Diaz signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Astros on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The two sides were able to settle on a figure for 2021 after the they were unable to reach an agreement last season, which led to an arbitration case that was won by Diaz. The 30-year-old missed most of the 2020 campaign due to injury and had a .241/.254/.483 slash line in 59 plate appearances. He's mostly been a bench piece or injury replacement during his two seasons in Houston, but he could have a larger role in 2021 following the departures of George Springer and Michael Brantley.

Crawford and the Mariners agreed to a one-year, $2,050,000 deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Crawford hasn't developed into the star he was projected to be several years ago, when he was in the running to be considered the best prospect in baseball, but he's still a useful enough player. His .255/.336/.338 slash line last season was good for a nearly average 94 wRC+, a fine mark when paired with above-average defense at shortstop and a decent amount of speed (six steals).

Urena signed a minor-league contract with Toronto on Friday. The deal includes an invite to spring training.

All of Urena's professional game action at any level has come as a member of the Blue Jays' organization, including 91 big-league games in which he hit an uninspiring .253/.300/.336. He spent 2020 with the Orioles' organization but never made the team's big-league roster. The 24-year-old doesn't profile as anything more than a utility infielder, as he's yet to produce an above-average batting line above the High-A level.