MLB Player News

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.

Velazquez signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Velazquez was let go by the Orioles in late October after appearing in 40 games with the club in 2020. The shortstop has struggled in the majors over the past few seasons, but he should get the chance to develop in the minors with the Yankees. Given his past experience, the 26-year-old could certainly receive an invitation to major-league spring training in 2021.

Basabe was traded from the Rangers to the Rays on Thursday in exchange for Nate Lowe, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Basabe was one of several prospects who will head to the Rays in exchange for Lowe. The 20-year-old has hit well at every level he's been at so far, most recently recording a .315/.344/.388 with 32 RBI and seven stolen bases in rookie ball in 2019. He improved his defensive versatility in recent years, and he could advance up the minor-league ladder during the 2021 campaign.

Franco was officially diagnosed with biceps inflammation and shoulder soreness, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He was examined in St. Petersburg and there was no structural damage or long-term concern. Franco won't play winter ball again this season, but he should be ready to go for spring training. This is still mildly concerning, as inflammation could reoccur or get worse when he resumes baseball activities. Assuming he is healthy, Franco should spend the bulk of spring training in big-league camp and could debut this summer.

Franco (sore right biceps) has returned to the United States to be evaluated by Rays team doctors, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. The club is hopeful it is not a serious injury.

The game's top prospect was playing in the Dominican Winter League but had been sidelined for a week due to the injury, so the Rays are bringing him back stateside to evaluate the seriousness of the injury. He hit .350/.435/.500 with a homer and a stolen base through the first five games. If Franco is fully healthy this spring, he could put himself in position for a first-half call-up, but if this injury turns out to be serious, that could delay his arrival in 2021.

Franco hasn't played in the Dominican Winter League since Friday due to an arm injury, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 19-year-old was hitting well with a .935 OPS through five games before suffering the injury. The specifics of the issue remain unclear, but the organization is likely exercise plenty of caution with Franco this offseason due to his status as one of the top prospects in baseball.