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.

Strange-Gordon will spend some time at shortstop this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Strange-Gordon joined the Reds as a non-roster invitee Sunday, so he isn't even guaranteed a roster spot. He's been mostly a second baseman for the majority of his career, but he has at least made 13 starts at shortstop over the last four seasons. He'll probably be a utility man if he does make the team, but the Reds' other options at short consist of a rather uninspiring group, including the not yet ready Jose Garcia, Rule 5 pick Kyle Holder and fellow utility man Kyle Farmer, so there's certainly a path to Strange-Gordon receiving regular at-bats.

Strange-Gordon signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Sunday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reports.

The 32-year-old spent the past three years in Seattle but struggled at the plate in 2020 with a .200/.268/.213 slash line in 82 plate appearances, leading to the team declining his option for 2021. Strange-Gordon likely will compete for a utility role in spring training with the Reds.

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.

Owings (hamstring) agreed to a minor-league deal with the Rockies on Friday.

The 29-year-old had a solid showing with the Rockies in 2020 with a .268/.318/.439 slash line in 44 plate appearances before going down with a hamstring strain, and he'll receive another chance to crack the team in 2021. Owings is likely to be competing for a utility role in spring training.

Adrianza signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Adrianza has spent eight years in the majors as a useful enough utility man, though he shouldn't be relied on for much more than that. His career .244/.310/.360 slash line gives him a shot at a bench role considering that he can play anywhere except catcher and center field, but he'll have to prove that his awful .191/.287/.270 line in 101 plate appearances last season was just a small-sample fluke.

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.

Seager and the Dodgers reached a one-year, $13.75 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Seager will get a significant pay increase heading into 2021 and won't require an arbiter during the offseason. The 26-year-old performed incredibly well over the shortened season in 2020, posting a .943 OPS with 15 home runs and 41 RBI.