MLB Player News
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Cade Cavalli SP | WAS
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Inks one-year deal with club option
Cavalli agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Sunday that includes a club option for 2027, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
The two sides were unable to come to an agreement ahead of last week's arbitration deadline, but they continued to negotiate and came to terms on what could end up being a multi-year pact. The exact salary figure has yet to be reported, but it seems likely to fall between $825,000 and $900,000, which were the arbitration figures submitted by the two camps. Cavalli made 10 starts for the Nationals in 2025 and posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 innings.
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Elly De La Cruz SS | CIN
Reds' Elly De La Cruz: Not playing in WBC
The Reds did not give De La Cruz permission to play in the World Baseball Classic, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
De La Cruz wanted to represent the Dominican Republic, but Cincy has lingering concerns about a quad injury that appeared to limit him over the second half of the 2025 season. The shortstop, who still played all 162 regular-season games, experienced a second-half dip last year after a strong first half. Reds manager Terry Francona acknowledged the need to find ways to keep De La Cruz fresh in 2026, and the trade of Gavin Lux will allow starters to rotate through DH and get breaks from playing the field, per Rosencrans.
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Victor Caratini C | MIN
Twins' Victor Caratini: Lands two-year deal with Twins
Caratini signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Twins on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Caratini played with the Astros in 2025 and slashed .259/.324/.404 across 386 plate appearances while racking up 12 homers, 46 RBI and 35 runs scored -- all of which represent career highs. Now in Minnesota, the 32-year-old switch hitter figures to share time with Ryan Jeffers behind the plate and could fill in occasionally for Trevor Larnach as the team's DH against southpaws.
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Matt McLain SS | CIN
Reds' Matt McLain: Adds 12 pounds over offseason
McLain has added 12 pounds of muscle over the offseason, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
After rehabbing injuries each of the last two offseasons, McLain has been able to focus on training this winter and said he feels like he's getting a "fresh start" heading into the 2026 season. The second baseman slashed a disappointing .220/.300/.343 over 147 regular-season contests in 2025, but he has some bounce-back potential heading into his age-26 campaign.
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Tsung-Che Cheng SS | BOS
Mets' Tsung-Che Cheng: Grabbed on waivers by Mets
The Mets claimed Cheng off waivers from the Rays on Friday.
It's already the third organization Cheng has been with this month as he bounces around via waivers. The 24-year-old slashed just .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis and went hitless in a brief stint with the Pirates last season, but the Mets felt Cheng was a worthy infield depth addition.
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Osvaldo Bido SP | NYY
Marlins' Osvaldo Bido: Scooped up by Miami
The Marlins claimed Bido off waivers from the Rays on Friday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
It's the fourth organization this offseason for Bido, who posted a 5.87 ERA and 18.7 percent strikeout rate in 2025 with the Athletics. The right-hander held a 3.41 ERA and 24.3 percent strikeout rate in 2024 and offers the flexibility to serve as a starter or reliever. Bido could compete for a rotation spot in Miami, but a long-relief role is likelier.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Back with Phils on three-year deal
The Phillies re-signed Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The deal can max out at $60 million if Realmuto reaches all of his incentives. The backstop turns 35 in March and has been in a steady decline both offensively and defensively, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .257/.315/.384 batting line and 12 home runs over 134 regular-season contests. However, while Realmuto's best days are behind him, he remains a quality hitter compared to most catchers, still has a great throwing arm and is well-liked in the Phillies' clubhouse.
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Gavin Lux SS | TB
Rays' Gavin Lux: Taking over at second base
Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Friday that Lux will be the team's primary second baseman this season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Most of Lux's starts last season with the Reds came in left field and the designated hitter slot, but second base has been his primary position during his big-league career and the Rays have a clear hole at the keystone. The move from Cincinnati to Tampa Bay is a big ballpark downgrade for Lux, but he could get more playing time with the Rays than he had been projected to receive from the Reds. Lux slashed .269/.350/.374 with five home runs in 140 regular-season tilts for Cincinnati in 2025.
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Brett Baty 3B | NYM
Mets' Brett Baty: Slated for utility role
The Mets plan to use Baty in a utility role following the signing of Bo Bichette, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Bichette will take over at third base, which had been projected as Baty's primary position. Baty will still see some action at the hot corner, but he'll also be used some at second base and possibly first base and left field. It's a hit to Baty's playing time outlook, though the Mets could also use him as part of a trade package to get an outfielder or pitcher. Baty slashed .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs over 130 games for the Mets in 2025.
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Bo Bichette 3B | NYM
Mets' Bo Bichette: Lands three-year deal from Mets
The Mets signed Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
The deal includes opt outs after each of the first two years. It's not the long-term contract many expected Bichette to sign, but he'll receive an average of $42 million annually, with the opportunity to re-enter the market if he has a monster 2026 or 2027 campaign. Bichette is likely to take over at third base for the Mets, a position he has never played before, and his arrival pushes Brett Baty into a utility role.