MLB Player News

Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Erik Neander said "we want Wander to be in our plans this year" during the team's Fan Fest last weekend, Mari Faiello of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This is going to be a common topic for the Rays this spring and throughout the season, and the team's brass is not shying away from the notion that the game's top prospect could debut in his age-19 season. He walked almost twice as much as he struck out while slashing .339/.408/.464 at High-A as an 18-year-old, so he could make quick work of Double-A and Triple-A pitching. If Tampa is really serious about fast-tracking him, he could even skip one of those levels on his path to the majors. Given Willy Adames' defensive prowess at shortstop, Franco will likely debut at the keystone.

The Diamondbacks will not feel the need to rush Perdomo's development, after the team extended shortstop Nick Ahmed through the 2023 season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The 20-year-old Perdomo is among the organization's top prospects and finished 2019 with a 26-game stint at High-A Visalia. Extending Ahmed allows Perdomo to take a more measured path to MLB. The shortstop survived the cooler spring months before busting out over the second half of the season, posting a .325/.426/.430 slash line, while also stealing a combined 20 bags between Visalia and Low-A Kane County.

Ahmed agreed to a four-year extension with Arizona on Monday.

Ahmed will make at least $32.5 million over the course of the deal, with the potential for more in incentives, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. The shortstop had been scheduled to reach free agency after the 2020 season, so the deal buys out three extra years and keeps him under club control through his age-33 season. He's never had an above-average batting line, but his .254/.316/.437 line last season was good for a 92 wRC+, an acceptable figure for a player with a strong defensive reputation at shortstop.

Garcia was given an invitation to the Reds' big-league spring training camp, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Garcia broke out last year at High-A Daytona after initially struggling following his signing as a minor league free agent from Cuba. This year will help the Reds determine whether he's their shortstop of the future, or just a player that performed well while being a little old for the level.

The Dodgers have agreed to send Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Downs to the Red Sox in exchange for Mookie Betts and David Price, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Downs spent most of the 2019 season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, hitting .269/.354/.507 with 19 home runs, 78 runs scored and 75 RBI in 479 plate appearances. The 21-year-old also stole 23 bases for the Quakes. Downs was considered expendable while playing below elite middle infield depth within the Dodgers' organization, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic. The change of scenery early in the shortstop's career may provide Downs with a more favorable opportunity to climb the minor league ladder during his next few seasons.

Herrera joined the Yankees as a non-roster invitee Monday.

Herrera has appeared in 149 career big-league games, spending time with the Reds, Royals and Marlins. He hasn't found much success at the plate, hitting .225/.286/.316 with three homers. His ability to play both middle infield spots and center field theoretically helps him toward earning a bench role, but his bat appears to be too weak for that to happen on a contending team.

Cecchini signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Arizona has already assigned Cecchini to Triple-A Reno, so it doesn't sound like he'll get the opportunity to compete for a bench role with the big club in spring training. Once a prospect of some repute while coming up through the Mets' farm system, the 26-year-old represents little more than organizational infield depth at this stage of his career. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2017 and slashed just .248/.305/.344 in the minors last season, with most of his action coming at the Double-A level.

Story signed a two-year, $27.5 million contract with the Rockies on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

This deal will buy out the final two seasons of arbitration for the shortstop. He put together another strong year at the dish in 2019, slashing .294/.363/.554 with 35 home runs, 85 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 145 contests.

Gordon is expected to play all over the diamond in 2020, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

With Shed Long expected to take over as Seattle's primary second baseman, it sounds like Gordon will fill more of a utility role during the 2020 campaign. Gordon spent most of his time at the keystone in 2019 but also has big-league experience at shortstop and center field. The 31-year-old, who hit .275/.304/.359 with three home runs and 22 stolen bases last season, could see time in the outfield to open the upcoming campaign with Mitch Haniger unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after undergoing core surgery.

Downs has received an invitation to the Dodgers' major-league spring training, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Downs will get a taste of big-league pitching after proving capable against his competition at High-A and Double-A in 2019. Given the Dodgers' depth, Downs -- who is not on the team's 40-man roster -- could spend all of 2020 in the minors.