MLB Player News

Swanson was extended an invitation to major league camp for spring training, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

There is no realistic chance Swanson breaks camp with the big club, but his time with the major league team should ultimately prove a valuable learning experience for the 21-year-old. Traded to Atlanta from Arizona in last month's blockbuster Shelby Miller deal, Swanson hit .289/.394/.482 with a homer and 11 RBI in 22 games with Low-A Hillsboro in 2015.

Crawford will join the Phillies in spring training this year, CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury reports.

The Phillies top prospect could get a taste of the big leagues in late 2016, so it makes sense that the big league coaches get a look at him, and allow him to establish relationships with some of the players who will make the 25-man roster. Crawford turns 21 in January and already has played 86 games at Double-A, so he is incredibly advanced for his age. His floor is extremely high, as he has one of the best hit tools in the minors, but his ceiling is debatable. He has speed and should develop a bit more power, but it may top out at 12-15 home runs and 20-25 steals, which is excellent, but not enough to challenge Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, or even Corey Seager for the top spot at the position.

Navarro was claimed off waivers by the Angels on Wednesday.

Navarro appeared in just 10 games with the Orioles last season, collecting eight hits in 29 at-bats and driving in three runs. According to The Orange County Register, Navarro does have option years remaining, meaning that he'll likely start the year at Triple-A.

Herrera has re-signed with the Rockies on a minor league deal, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

The former highly touted prospect did not play above the High-A level in 2015 and was ultimately non-tendered by the Rockies after the season. He'll rejoin the club on a minor league deal, though there is no word yet on whether he'll receive an invite to spring training.

Swanson was traded to the Braves on Tuesday along with Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair for Shelby Miller, the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reports.

This is a bizarre move by Arizona, to say the least, as Swanson was the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft and was seen by many as the type of player an organization could build around. However, they are in complete win-now mode, and Miller is a potential No. 2 starter who is under control for three more years. Swanson is the type of college bat who could move fast, but this trade may push back his ETA as the Braves are rebuilding and have no incentive to rush him to The Show. Last year he slashed .289/.394/.482 with one home run and a 14:14 K:BB in 22 games in short season ball.

Baez will play some center field in winter ball in Puerto Rico.

The Cubs have a glut of middle infielders and potentially could lose Dexter Fowler via free agency. If this experiment takes, this cures two problems in one.

The Rockies declined to tender Herrera a contract for 2016.

The 23-year-old's raw talent has yet to translate to much success on the field so far in his six professional seasons. Herrera spent all of 2015 with High-A Modesto, batting .260/.314/.354 with four homers and nine steals in 123 games. He may be appealing to teams looking for an upside project.

Ciriaco was non-tendered by the Braves on Thursday.

The Braves cleared a spot on the 40-man roster and avoid having to negotiate an arbitration deal with the utility infielder. Ciriaco is a career .268/.294/.368 hitter, and he played every infield position other than catcher last season, so his versatility is his main selling point as he now becomes a free agent.

The Mets tendered contracts to all eight of their arbitration-eligible players, including Tejada (fractured right fibula), before Thursday's deadline, ESPN New York reports.

This is a reversal from what looked like what happened, as the Mets had appeared to be set to cut Tejada loose. Tejada made $1.88 million in 2015 and could earn between $2.5-3 million if he goes to arbitration. As of now, he likely will fill a back up infield role, seeing time at shortstop and second base.

Martinez signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on Tuesday, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

He will receive an invitation to spring training as part of the deal. The Orioles are the fifth organization Martinez has passed through, despite being just 27 years old. He will offer organizational middle infield depth.