MLB Player News

The Phillies and Stott avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.9 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Stott slashed .257/.328/.391 with 13 homers and 24 steals across 147 regular-season contests in 2025. He'll open the 2026 campaign as the Phillies' primary second baseman and will have one more year of arbitration eligibility next offseason.

The Brewers and Megill avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.7 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

It's a nice raise for Megill, who was eligible for salary arbitration for the second time. The 32-year-old notched a career-high 30 saves in 2025, collecting a 2.49 ERA and 60:17 K:BB over 47 regular-season innings. Megill should open the 2026 campaign as the Brewers' closer, but Abner Uribe could also be in the mix to save games.

The Reds and Lux avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.525 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Lux had been eligible for salary arbitration for the final time, as he's slated to reach free agency next winter. The 28-year-old hit .269/.350/.374 with five home runs over 140 regular-season games in his first season with the Reds. The left-handed-hitting Lux should play regularly against right-handed pitching in 2026, though he's unlikely to be locked into one position defensively.

The Brewers and Vaughn avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.65 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Vaughn was reinvigorated after a trade to the Brewers last season, slashing .308/.375/.493 with nine homers across 64 regular-season tilts. He will enter the 2026 campaign slated for the bulk of the playing time at first base for Milwaukee.

The Marlins and Bender avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.81 million contract Thursday, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

Bender finished with a 2.16 ERA in 2025, though his strikeout rate dropped to 20.6 percent and walk rate ballooned to 10.3 percent. The veteran reliever is in line to serve in a setup role for the Marlins in 2026 ahead of closer Pete Fairbanks.

Sheets and the Padres avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sheets enjoyed a resurgence at the plate during his first year with the Padres, slashing .252/.317/.429 while setting new career highs with 19 homers, 71 RBI and 57 runs scored across 545 regular-season plate appearances. He'll be rewarded with a $2.9 million raise from the club and figures to remain as San Diego's primary DH in 2026.

The Reds and Steer avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

It's a substantial raise for Steer, who had been in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Steer produced a .238/.312/.411batting line with 21 home runs over 146 regular-season contests in 2025. He will be an everyday player for the Reds in 2026, though his position isn't locked down.

The Cardinals and Nootbaar (heels) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.35 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Nootbaar played a career-high 135 games but produced a career-low .686 OPS for the Cardinals this past season. He underwent surgery on both heels in October and is not a lock to be ready for Opening Day. Once Nootbaar is ready, he's expected to be the team's primary left fielder.

The Phillies and Banks avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.2 million contract Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Banks' first full season in Philadelphia was a dandy, as he finished with a 3.07 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 61:12 K:BB over 67.1 regular-season innings. He will help set up from the left side again for the Phillies in 2026.

Doyle signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration with the Rockies, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Doyle took a step back last season with the Rockies, slashing just .233/.274/.650 with 15 homers, 57 RBI, 57 runs scored and 18 steals over 538 plate appearances. Despite his disappointing campaign, the 28-year-old outfielder will receive a $2.335 million bump in salary and remains locked in as Colorado's primary center fielder entering 2026.