MLB Player News

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon told reporters Thursday that he won't put a number on how many bases he'll swipe this season, and is more focused on improving his on-base percentage and scoring runs in his first season with his new club, per MLB.com.

"No goal," Gordon said. "I just want to score runs. That's it. I scored a lot of runs last year, and I don't think nobody realizes that. Whatever [stolen bases] I get is what I get. Whatever is going to make me score is what I want to do."

Gordon led MLB last season with 64 stolen bags. His 92 runs were tied with then-teammate Yasiel Puig for eighth most in the National League. He hit .289/.326/.378 over 609 at-bats last season.

Although Wilmer Flores is viewed as the favorite to win the starting job at shortstop for the Mets, Ruben Tejada still feels he can win the job, per NJ.com.

"Yeah, why not," Tejada said. "I have to demonstrate here why we're here and why I want to. Come here the same way every year, stay healthy, the first thing, and work."

Tejada started a team-high 105 games at shortstop in 2014 for the Mets. 

"I'm ready to work and do my job inside and outside and stay focused and positive, do everything in the right way and keep going," Tejada said.

Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings is expected to miss 8-10 spring games, according to MLB.com.

Owings is coming off shoulder surgery, and the team wants to play it safe with the injury. The 23-year-old is expected to open the season as the team's starter at short. He hit .261/.300/.406 over 310 at-bats last year. 

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon is eagerly awaiting the start of spring training and is particularly looking forward to working with infield coach Perry Hill, per MLB.com.

"I was waiting on [Hill], like, a month ago," Gordon said. "I'm excited. I work hard. That's one thing I pride myself on, working as hard as possible. I'm just ready to take my game to the next level."

Gordon made the move from shortstop to second base in 2014. During his first All-Star campaign, Gordon posted a .981 fielding percentage in 144 games at second base for the Dodgers.

"There's a lot more second base in me," Gordon said. "There is a lot I still don't know. Honestly, I didn't really know how to learn on the fly with the Dodgers. Bone (nickname for Hill) is going to be a great teacher. I've heard nothing but great things about him, so I can't wait."

The Mets have privately indicated infielder Ruben Tejada should garner most of his playing time on the days when starting pitcher Jonathon Niese is on the mound because Niese induces more grounders than the other starters, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN.

Wilmer Flores is expected to be the team's starting shortstop, barring a trade to bring in a shortstop. Although, Mets manager Terry Collins has indicated Tejada will still be in the mix for the starting job this spring.

While Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford had career highs in runs (54), triples (10), home runs (10) and RBI (69) in 2014, he still only hit .246 in 153 games. Crawford really struggled against right-handed pitchers, batting .213 as opposed to .320 against lefties.

Still, the Giants appear hopeful Crawford could be an impact player in 2015, per MLB.com.

"We really feel he's coming into his own," general manager Brian Sabean said, declaring that he envisions "an All-Star-type season" from Crawford.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy outlined the plans he has for the batting order in 2015, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

He expects Angel Pagan to hit leadoff. He will be followed by Joe Panik, Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Casey McGehee, Norichika Aoki and Brandon Crawford. The pitcher will hit ninth.

The Giants and shortstop Brandon Crawford avoided arbitration Tuesday, agreeing to a $3.175 million salary for 2015, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Crawford, who is in his first year of arbitration, made $560,000 in 2014.

Crawford just finished his fourth season in the majors and third full season in 2014. He had career highs in triples (10), home runs (10), runs (54), RBI (69), walks (59) and games played (153).

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford has filed for $3.95 million in arbitration, with the team offering $2.4 million, Fangraphs reports.

Crawford is in his first year of arbitration eligibility but has already been part of two World Series championship teams. He hit .246/.324/.389 with 10 home runs and 69 RBI in 491 at-bats in 2014.

The Mets reached a settlement with starting pitcher Dillon Gee and shortstop Ruben Tejada prior to Friday's arbitration deadline, reports ESPN. Gee agreed to a one-year deal, worth $5.3 million, while Tejada settled for $1.88 million.

Jenrry Mejia and Lucas Duda did not reach an agreement before the 1 p.m. deadline.