MLB Player News
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Reed Garrett RP | NYM
Mets' Reed Garrett: Settles at $1.3 million
Garrett (elbow) signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Mets on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
Garrett isn't expected to pitch at all in 2026 after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery in October. However, he will still receive a $350,000 raise after posting a 3.90 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 55.1 innings in 2025 and tallying a career-high 20 holds.
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Bennett Sousa RP | HOU
Astros' Bennett Sousa: Avoids arbitration
Sousa (elbow) signed a one-year, $910,000 contract with the Astros on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Sousa emerged as a key contributor in the Astros' bullpen in 2025, posting a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 50.2 innings before elbow inflammation put an early end to his season. The lefty's performance will earn him a $150,000 raise during his first year of arbitration eligibility, and he figures to reprise his role as a setup man for closer Josh Hader in 2026.
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Michael Massey 2B | KC
Royals' Michael Massey: Settles at $1.57 million
Massey agreed to a one-year, $1.57 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
It's the first season of arbitration eligibility for Massey, who missed nearly three months during the 2025 season due to wrist, ankle and back issues. The 27-year-old struggled when available last year with a .244/.268/.313 slash line in 77 games, which was a significant decline from his .743 OPS during the 2024 regular season.
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Justin Lawrence RP | PIT
Pirates' Justin Lawrence: Settles with Pittsburgh
The Pirates and Lawrence avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.225 million contract Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Lawrence had been arbitration-eligible for the second time. The righty was limited to only 17 appearances in 2025 due to injury, but he was highly effective when on the bump, yielding just one run with a 23:8 K:BB over 17.2 frames. Lawrence should operate in a middle-relief role in 2026.
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Tylor Megill SP | NYM
Mets' Tylor Megill: Signs one-year contract
The Mets and Megill (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.5 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
Megill pitched well when healthy in 2025, posting a 3.95 ERA and 89:33 K:BB over 68.1 innings, but he was limited to only 14 starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The righty will miss the entire 2026 season but is under team control for 2027.
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Oneil Cruz SS | PIT
Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Settles with Bucs at $3.3 million
The Pirates and Cruz avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
It's a nice raise for Cruz, who had been eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The 27-year-old is coming off a disappointing showing in 2025, having slashed just .200/.298/.378, but he did provide fantasy managers with 20 home runs and 38 stolen bases.
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Jesus Luzardo SP | PHI
Phillies' Jesus Luzardo: Avoids arbitration at $11 million
The Phillies and Luzardo avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $11 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
Luzardo will nearly double his salary from 2025 after posting a 3.92 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 216:57 K:BB over 183.2 regular-season innings covering 32 starts in 2025 in his first season with the Phillies. The left-hander is slated to reach free agency next offseason.
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Mickey Moniak CF | COL
Rockies' Mickey Moniak: Settles with Rockies at $4 million
The Rockies and Moniak avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
Moniak had arguably his best season in 2025, slashing .270/.306/.518 with 24 homers and nine stolen bases in his first season with the Rockies. He's slated to open the 2026 season as the team's primary right fielder.
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Ryan Thompson RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ryan Thompson: Inks $3.95 million deal
The Diamondbacks and Thompson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.95 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
Thompson had been arbitration-eligible for a final time, and he will be entering his walk year. The veteran reliever has been a quality performer in manager Torey Lovullo's bullpen, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 97:29 K:BB across 120.2 regular-season frames during his time in Arizona. Thompson will be in the late-inning mix as part of an unsettled Diamondbacks bullpen in 2026.
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Dennis Santana RP | PIT
Pirates' Dennis Santana: Reaches deal with Pirates
The Pirates and Santana avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Santana finished the 2025 season with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 60:17 K:BB over 70.1 innings, picking up 16 saves along the way. The 29-year-old reliever is the favorite to open the 2026 season in the Pirates' closer role.