MLB Player News

Plenty of Red Sox hitters have reported to camp early, according to the Boston Globe.

Pitchers are catchers aren't set to report until February 15, but a few players showed up early. The most interesting names among the bunch are Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.

Middlebrooks is attempting to recover from a down year in 2013, and it's a good sign that he's in camp early. He hit just .227 last season, but is slated to be the team's starting third baseman. The Red Sox continue to be rumored as a landing spot for Stephen Drew, but Middlebrooks' performance in camp could prevent them from making the move.

Bogaerts is in a similar position. The top prospect will be looking at a potential breakout season as the team's starting shortstop. Bogaerts' playing time was limited by Drew being in town last year, but the training wheels are coming off this year.

Bradley Jr. will be fighting for a spot on the team's 25-man roster after Grady Sizemore was brought in. Bradley Jr. was considered one of the team's best prospects entering last season, but was promoted too early and struggled. There's still plenty of potential there if he can beat out Sizemore. 

If free agent infielder Stephen Drew accepts a two-year offer from the Red Sox, youngsters Xander Bogaerts and Will Middlebrooks could be greatly affected, the Boston Herald has speculated.

The inclusion of Drew would likely push Bogaerts to third base, at least against right-handers, and relegate Middlebrooks into a part-time role or even send him back to Triple-A. Other reports, however, have claimed that Bogaerts would remain as the starter at shortstop and Drew would serve in a utility role.

If Drew signs elsewhere, Bogaerts willl probably start at shortstop and Middlebrooks at third. The pair have just 659 major league at-bats between them.

Bogaerts batted .250 in just 44 at-bats in 2013 while Middlebrooks, who shined in 2012, fell to .227 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI while striking out 98 times in just 348 at-bats.

The Red Sox have long alluded to the fact if the team didn't re-sign Stephen Drew, then Xander Bogaerts would be the starting shortstop. Red Sox manager John Farrell reiterated the team's plan Monday during an interview with MLB Network Radio.

"I'm surprised a guy with his ability is still available," Farrell said of Drew. "If he doesn't come back, then Xander Bogaerts is our shortstop."

Even if the Red Sox don't reach a deal to bring back shortstop Stephen Drew, it seems the team is fine with moving forward with Xander Bogaerts as the team's starting shortstop.

Manager John Farrell was overly complimentary of the 21-year-old infielder Tuesday during a Hot Stove Cool Music Baseball Roundtable in Boston.

"Every report, every person that’s seen Xander play is comfortable with his ability to play shortstop," Farrell said, per MassLive.com. "Even though he’s got just a handful of at-bats at the big-league level, there’s going to be some challenges along the way that he’ll grow through, and we’re fully aware of that and accepting of it."

The Mets have avoided arbitration with shortstop Ruben Tejada by signing him to a one-year deal, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is worth $1.1 million, The Star-Ledger reports.

Tejada is the favorite to start at shortstop for the Mets in 2014 unless another infield option is brought in. He hit .202/.259/.260 with zero home runs and 10 RBI in 208 at-bats last season.

The Mets appear ready to move forward with Ruben Tejada as their starting shortstop, despite Tejada coming off a poor season in 2013. It has been rumored the Mets have shown interest in free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, but it seems unlikely the team will sign him.

"I'd say that trade possibilities -- just with the passage of time and knowing more about various situations -- a trade is probably less likely now," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told MLB.com. "The same three alternatives exist: sign a free agent, make a trade, or go with what we have subject to probably bringing in a backup to Tejada. I'd say right now, it's probably more likely that we will go with Option C, which is Ruben at shortstop with the addition of a backup."

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Wednesday the candidates for the starting second-base job this spring will be Alexander Guerrero, Miguel Rojas and Dee Gordon. Although, Colletti added Guerrero "is certainly leading the pack."

The Mets are not particularly interested in upgrading at shortstop, special assistent J.P. Ricciardi told WEEI.com Friday. The team appears to be planning to enter the season with Ruben Tejada as the starter, despite a disappointing 2013 campaign.

"I think we are," Ricciardi said. "He's a young player."

Tejada hit just .202/.259/.260 in 208 at-bats for the Mets last season, but Ricciardi said a thin shortstop market limits their options to upgrade. Tejada is still just 24, despite having over 1,200 major-league at-bats under his belt. 

The Padres have traded outfielder/first baseman Jesus Guzman to the Astros for infielder Ryan Jackson, the teams announced Wednesday.

Guzman, 29, hit .226/.297/.378 with nine home runs and 35 RBI in 288 at-bats with the Padres last season. He has played 113 games at first base, 93 games in left field and 13 games in right field in four seasons with the Padres.

Jackson was claimed off waivers by the Astros in November after spending five years in the Cardinals ogranization. He hit .278/.352/.346 with three home runs, 34 RBI and nine stolen bases in 442 at-bats with Triple-A Memphis last season. Jackson has spent most of his minor-league career at shortstop.

The Mets may open the season with Ruben Tejada at short, according to ESPN.com.

Tejada was injured for most of the season, and there were reports about some bad blood over the team's handling of the injury. While the Mets may have explored trades for shortstops, that doesn't seem likely at this point. Tejada hit .202/.259/.260 in 208 at-bats.