MLB Player News
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Alec Bohm 3B | PHI
Phillies' Alec Bohm: Nets $10.2 million from Phillies
The Phillies and Bohm avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.2 million contract Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
It's a nice raise for Bohm, who had been eligible for salary arbitration for a final time. The 29-year-old slashed .287/.331/.409 and thumped 11 homers over 120 regular-season contests for the Phillies in 2025. Bohm is slated to hit the free-agent market next winter.
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Steven Wilson RP | TB
Rays' Steven Wilson: Receives $1.52 million from TB
Wilson signed a one-year, $1.52 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wilson joined the Rays in November via trade and will now receive a $570,000 raise from his new club after posting a 3.42 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 55.1 innings with the White Sox in 2025. Although he made several appearances in high-leverage situations with Chicago, the 31-year-old righty will likely be relegated to a middle-relief role in the Rays' bullpen this upcoming season.
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Adley Rutschman C | BAL
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Avoids arbitration
Rutschman agreed to a one-year, $7.25 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Much like the Orioles as a whole, Rutschman is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him finish with just nine home runs and a .220/.307.673 slash line in 90 games. Top prospect Samuel Basallo made his MLB debut down the stretch last year and inked a massive extension in August, which is likely to cut into Rutschman's playing time behind the plate in 2026. However, Rutschman is still expected to operate as the primary catcher, with Basallo set to see significant action at designated hitter.
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Francisco Alvarez C | NYM
Mets' Francisco Alvarez: Avoids arbitration with Mets
The Mets and Alvarez (thumb) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Alvarez had been arbitration-eligible for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier following a season that saw him put up a .787 OPS with 11 home runs over 76 tilts. The 24-year-old was scheduled to have surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb shortly after the season, but he's expected to be ready to go for spring training.
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Nick Fortes C | TB
Rays' Nick Fortes: Avoids arbitration
Fortes signed a one-year, $2.535 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
After being traded from Miami to Tampa Bay at the deadline, Fortes slashed .213/.307/.348 with 11 RBI and eight runs scored across 101 plate appearances. He could continue to split reps behind the plate with Hunter Feduccia in 2026, though Fortes was by far the more productive of the two backstops last year.
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George Kirby SP | SEA
Mariners' George Kirby: Avoids arbitration with M's
Kirby signed a one-year, $6.55 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Kirby turned in the worst statistical season of his four-year MLB career in 2025, logging a 4.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 126 regular-season innings, although his 9.8 K/9 marked a new personal best for the 27-year-old righty. He'll receive a $2.25 million raise entering the 2026 campaign and still has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.
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Will Benson RF | CIN
Reds' Will Benson: Settles with Reds
The Reds and Benson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.725 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Benson had been arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 27-year-old slashed .226/.273/.435 with 12 long balls over 90 contests for the Reds in 2025. He could open the 2026 season as the Reds' left fielder against right-handed pitching, though he will have competition for playing time.
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TJ Friedl CF | CIN
Reds' TJ Friedl: Gets $3.8 million from Reds
The Reds and Friedl avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.8 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Friedl receives a nice pay bump in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old slashed .261/.364/.378 with 14 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 2025 and is slated again to open up the 2026 campaign as the Reds' primary center fielder.
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Zachary Neto SS | LAA
Angels' Zach Neto: Nets $4.15 million deal
Neto (hand) agreed to a one-year, $4.15 million contract with the Angels on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
It's a significant raise for the 24-year-old shortstop, who is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility. Neto had a late start to 2025 due to a shoulder injury and missed the final two weeks of the season with a hand issue, but he was productive when available with 26 home runs, 26 steals and a .793 OPS in 128 contests.
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Dean Kremer SP | BAL
Orioles' Dean Kremer: Settles at $5.75 million
Kremer signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Kremer made 31 appearances (29 starts) for the O's in 2025, during which he turned in a 4.19 ERA and 1.21 WHIP to go with a 142:45 K:BB across 171.2 innings. He'll be granted a $2.8 million raise during his second year of arbitration eligibility, and he's a safe bet to open the 2026 campaign in the back end of Baltimore's rotation.