MLB Player News

Red Sox infield coach Brian Butterfield got his first look at the allegedly quicker first step of shortstop Xander Bogaerts Monday and believes he can see the difference, the Boston Herald reports.

"His first- and second-step quickness today was really good," Butterfield said Monday. "He's had days like that (before). It's always a full body of work."

Bogaerts, 22, spent the offseason working on his quickness at the EXOS Performance Institute in Phoenix -- at the suggestion of infield teammate Dustin Pedroia -- rather than train in his native Aruba. Butterfield has confidence Bogaerts can continue to improve defensively.

"Yeah I do, and I think I'm speaking for everyone else on the coaching staff, too, and that includes [manager] John Farrell," Butterfield said. "I think Bogie is ready to meet that challenge. The good thing is he's highly intelligent and he wants to be good, so he's going to do anything that he can to hold up his end of the bargain."

Butterfield also plans to work with Bogaerts on anticipating the pitch selection by studying the tendencies of the team's pitchers to help with positioning.

"One without the other, you're not going to be as good," Butterfield said. "When he gets to the point where he's consistent with both his anticipation and his first- and second-step quickness, he's going to be fine."

Bogaerts spent time at shortstop and third base last season but is expected to work exclusively at shortstop after the addition of Pablo Sandoval. The young infielder made half of his errors at third base in 2014 despite playing less than a third of his innings at the position.

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.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been working out at the EXOS performance institute in Arizona, the facility where second baseman Dustin Pedroia trains every offseason. ESPN.com says Bogaerts feels he's pushed himself more than ever before, "and the results are showing."

"This is probably the strongest I’ve ever felt going into a season -- and by far,” Bogaerts said, via the website. “I’m definitely real excited for the season.”

Bogaerts, 22, had an up-and-down 2014 season, his first full year in the majors. He finished at .240 with 12 homers and 46 RBI in 144 games.

He'll spend a few more weeks training in Arizona before reporting to spring training.

“I kind of never challenged my body to lift heavier weights because I’ve always tried to kind of maintain the same,” Bogaerts said. “Getting the knowledge from those kind of guys and just trusting the whole system that they have over there and just pushing your body, it’s really a difference than any years I’ve had in the past.

“It was mostly gym and conditioning and speed and stuff like that, power and speed. It was definitely something that I really enjoyed.”

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.

The Marlins and starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a $4 million salary for 2015, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

They also avoided arbitration with shortstop Dee Gordon and closer Steve Cishek. Gordon is set to make $2.5 million and Cishek will make $6.65 million in 2015.

The Royals announced they secured outright waivers to infielder Ryan Jackson on Wednesday. He will be assigned to Triple-A.