MLB Player News

Akin agreed to a one-year, $1.475 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Akin is coming off of a 2024 campaign in which produced a 3.32 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 97 strikeouts, six holds and a save over 78.2 innings in 66 regular-season appearances. The left-hander appears to be geared up to operate in a significant role out of the bullpen with the Orioles again in 2025.

Heim and the Rangers agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Heim is entering his second year of arbitration eligibility and will earn a $1.5 million raise from 2024. He's coming off of a disappointing season, as he slugged only 13 homers with a .602 OPS across 491 plate appearances. Heim is currently projected to split time behind the plate with newly acquired Kyle Higashioka in 2025.

Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $28.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Guerrero will return to Toronto in 2025 with a well-deserved $8.6 million raise. The 25-year-old produced a career-high .323 average last season while adding 30 home runs, 103 RBI, 98 runs scored and two stolen bases over 616 at-bats in 159 games. Guerrero finished sixth in the AL MVP voting in 2024, while his 5.5 WAR ranked 11th in the AL amongst hitters. The team has been open to potentially moving Guerrero to third base in 2025, but regardless of position, he remains one of the best players in baseball.

Kirk agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Kirk will get a $1.8 million raise ahead of the 2025 campaign, which will be his sixth with Toronto. The catcher produced a .253 average with five home runs, 54 RBI and 23 runs scored over 103 games in 2024. Kirk will likely operate as the team's primary catcher again in 2025 with Tyler Heineman set to serve as his primary backup.

Larnach agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Twins on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Larnach will receive a nice raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The outfielder finished the 2024 season with a .772 OPS and 15 homers. He found himself in a strong-side platoon role as he made 99 starts against righties and just two against lefties.

Soto agreed to a one-year, $5.35 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

After being sent to Baltimore from Philadelphia at the trade deadline, Soto turned in a 5.09 ERA and 1.53 WHIP alongside a 21:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings before covering a scoreless two-thirds of an innings during his lone playoff appearance. His poor performance will net him just a $350,000 raise in his final year of arbitration eligibility, and he appears destined to work in middle relief next season.

Chisholm agreed to a one-year, $5.85 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Chisholm lost his arbitration hearing with the Marlins for 2024 but was able to reach an agreement with the Yankees for the upcoming campaign. The 26-year-old primarily played third base after being acquired by New York but could be moved back to second base in 2025. Chisholm had 24 home runs, 40 stolen bases and a .761 OPS in a career-high 147 games during the regular season last year.

Kwan agreed to a one-year, $4.175 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Kwan slashed .292/.368/.425 with 14 homers, 44 RBI, 83 runs and 12 stolen bases over 122 regular-season games last year -- good enough to earn himself a $3.4 million salary bump in his first year of arbitration eligibility. While reaching 10 home runs again in 2025 is far from a guarantee for the 27-year-old outfielder, he's still worthy of fantasy attention based on his contact skills.

The Royals and Schreiber avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Schreiber had been arbitration-eligible for a second time. The right-handed reliever saw his strikeout rate dip to 20.5 percent in 2024 in his first year in Kansas City but remained useful with a 3.66 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He'll be used in middle relief in 2025.

The Royals and Melendez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.65 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Melendez regressed in 2024 with just a .674 OPS over 135 regular-season games. The Royals will start off 2025 playing him regularly at least versus right-handers, but with the playoffs in mind they might not have as much patience with Melendez if he can't take some strides.