MLB Player News
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Aaron Judge RF | NYY
Yankees' Aaron Judge: Unanimously wins second AL MVP
Judge was named the 2024 American League Most Valuable Player on Thursday.
It's hardly surprising to see Judge take home his second MVP trophy after slashing .322/.458/.701 with 144 RBI in the regular season -- all of which represent career-best marks for the 32-year-old slugger. He also added 58 home runs on the year, which falls just four short of the Yankees' single-season record he set in 2022. After receiving all 30 first-place votes, Judge is now the first Yankee to win MVP unanimously since Mickey Mantle did so in 1956.
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Triston McKenzie SP | CLE
Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Avoids arbitration
McKenzie agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
McKenzie spent the first half of 2024 with the Guardians, posting a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 75.2 innings (16 starts). He continued to struggle to the tune of a 5.23 ERA after being demoted to Triple-A Columbus in June. Despite his poor performance, the 27-year-old righty will receive a $350,000 raise in 2025, but he should remain off fantasy managers' radar until he's able to regain command over his pitches.
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Caleb Boushley RP | MIN
Rangers' Caleb Boushley: Gets minors deal from Texas
Boushley signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday.
Boushley has struggled in the minors over the past couple of seasons, turning in a 5.17 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 270 total innings between the Brewers' and Twins' Triple-A affiliates since 2023. Nonetheless, he'll join the Rangers organization to help fill out the rotation at Triple-A Round Rock, though he likely won't be much of a factor for the big-league squad.
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Nick Kurtz 1B | OAK
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Finishes 2024 on high note
Kurtz slashed .353/.450/.608 with two home runs and a 16:9 K:BB in 60 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League.
He ended the regular season on the injured list at Double-A Midland due to a hamstring strain, but Kurtz was able to make up for lost time in the AFL and end his 2024 on a high note. Other than a general lack of athleticism and a bad body (listed at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds), Kurtz's only notable flaw is his injury history -- he missed time with random injuries at Wake Forest. However, after slashing .368/.520/.763 with four homers in 12 games split between Single-A and Double-A before dominating in the AFL, Kurtz's track record of hitting pro pitching is arguably tops in the 2024 draft class.
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Tarik Skubal SP | DET
Tigers' Tarik Skubal: Unanimously wins AL Cy Young Award
Skubal was named the 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday.
After turning in a 2.39 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 192 innings alongside a 228:35 K:BB, Skubal was heavily favored to win the award, and indeed he received all 30 first-place votes. The left-hander is now the fifth pitcher in Tigers history to take home a Cy Young Award -- a list that includes Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.
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Seth Brown RF | OAK
Athletics' Seth Brown: Avoids arbitration
The Athletics and Brown avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Wednesday.
There's no word on the financial terms of the deal, but Brown was due a modest raise after earning a $2.6 million salary in 2024. The 32-year-old slashed .231/.283/.379 with 14 home runs in 124 games this past season. Brown is likely to play a good amount versus righties again for the Athletics in 2025.
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Jahmai Jones RF | NYY
Tigers' Jahmai Jones: MiLB deal from Detroit
The Tigers signed Jones to a minor-league contract Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jones, 27, has slashed just .198/.257/.278 over parts of four seasons at the big-league level. He does have a career .821 OPS at the Triple-A level and offers defensive versatility with the ability to play second base, third base and all three outfield spots.
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Scott Blewett RP | MIN
Twins' Scott Blewett: Re-signs with Minnesota
The Twins re-signed Blewett to a minor-league contract Monday.
Blewett was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this month but is now back in the organization. He held a 1.77 ERA and 18:8 K:BB over 20.1 frames with the Twins in 2024 and will likely begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul as relief depth.
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Matt Krook RP | BAL
Athletics' Matt Krook: Catches on with Athletics
Krook signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Friday.
Krook surrendered two earned runs in one inning during his lone MLB appearance with Baltimore last season. He was much more effective during his time with Triple-A Norfolk, however, posting a 3.92 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 43.2 frames. Now with the A's, the 30-year-old southpaw will most likely fill in as organizational depth at Triple-A Las Vegas.
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JT Chargois RP | SEA
Mariners' JT Chargois: Designated for assignment
The Mariners designated Chargois for assignment Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
With Austin Shenton joining the organization Tuesday via a trade with the Rays, Chargois will end up as the odd man out of the Mariners' 40-man roster. The 33-year-old was extremely effective out of the bullpen in 2024, posting a 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 36.1 total innings between Miami and Seattle, so there could be a handful of teams bidding for his services via waivers.