MLB Player News

Bogaerts signed a one-year, $12.0 million contract with the Red Sox on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts saw a substantial raise from his $7.05 million salary a season ago, and he earned it by more than doubling his home-run total (10 to 23) and driving in 103 RBI over 136 ballgames. He'll undoubtedly begin the 2019 campaign as the starting shortstop for the defending World Series champions after turning in stellar numbers a year ago.

Diaz is one of several options to get at-bats as Houston's designated hitter in 2019, Brian McTaggart of the Astros' official site reports.

Evan Gattis received the most DH plate appearances in 2018, but he's a free agent and unlikely to return. Houston had a .750 OPS as a team in the DH spot last year, which ranked 10th in the American League, so it could be in the market for a hitter. If the Astros don't bring anyone in, they have in-house options and enough position versatility to cover the position. Diaz, who hit 18 home runs with a .756 OPS for Toronto last year, is one of them. The Astros can also rotate Michael Brantley and Yuli Gurriel.

Featherston signed a minor-league contract with the Royals, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Featherston played in 137 big-league games from 2015 to 2017, but his miserable .160/.221/.256 line didn't earn him any playing time last season. He can play anywhere in the infield but his bat is likely too light for even a rebuilding Royals team to find at-bats for him.

Anna reached a minor-league agreement with Minnesota on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

Anna has spent the past three seasons at the Triple-A level and has only appeared in 13 big-league games in his professional career. The 32-year-old slashed .271/.367/.341 with one home run, 34 RBI and nine stolen bases for Lehigh Valley in the Phillies' system this past year, and will provide middle-infield depth for the Twins moving forward.

Herrera was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Herrera was cast off Kansas City's 40-man roster in order to free up a spot for Terrance Gore, who was signed to a split contract. The 26-year-old appeared in 86 big-league games in 2018, hitting .234/.386/.317 with one homer and three steals.

D'Arnaud signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Rangers on Monday.

The veteran utility man has received at least some big-league game time in seven of the last eight seasons but has never come to the plate more than 262 times in a year. In 100 plate appearances with the Giants last season, he hit .215/.253/.366, good for a 66 wRC+, an above-average season for a player whose career wRC+ sits at 59. The 31-year-old could make it eight seasons out of nine should injuries strike the Rangers this year but will be unlikely to make a fantasy impact during his time in the big leagues.

Owings agreed to a contract with Kansas City on Wednesday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports. Per Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com, he will make $3 million plus incentives in 2019.

Owings was not tendered a contract by Arizona last week after making $3.4 million for the Diamondbacks in 2018. The utility man wasn't able to duplicate his steady performance from the previous two seasons, hitting just .206 with a disastrous .574 OPS across 309 plate appearances. He figures to serve as a fourth outfielder and reserve infielder. There's a path to playing time on the diamond should Owings correct his issues at the dish.

Crawford was traded to Seattle on Monday along with Carlos Santana in exchange for Jean Segura, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

There are reportedly other pieces of the deal yet to be disclosed. Formerly a very highly rated prospect, Crawford has yet to put things together at the big-league level, recording a .214/.333/.358 slash line, though he's still just 23 and has appeared in just 72 games. He improved to .255/.369/.479 over his last 42 games after an early season swing adjustment, suggesting that he's not far off from living up to his promise. He'll have a clearer path to playing time in Seattle and could thrive in a regular role, though his carrying tools are defense and the ability to take a walk, so he may help the Mariners more than he helps most fantasy teams.

Adrianza (shoulder) signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Twins on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Adrianza appeared in 114 games for the Twins in 2018, slashing .251/.301/.379 with six homers and five stolen bases. He underwent shoulder surgery in October, though he's expected to be back to full health before the start of the season. Adrianza looks to be in line to open the 2019 campaign as the Twins' utility man.

Vincej signed a minor-league deal with the Orioles on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The 27-year-old infielder played in 109 games for Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners' system this past season, slashing .247/.315/.345 with six home runs, 51 RBI and seven stolen bases. He's only managed to accumulate 16 major-league plate appearances over his career and should be seen as organizational depth looking ahead to the 2019 campaign.