MLB Player News
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Johan Oviedo SP | BOS
Red Sox's Johan Oviedo: Gets $1.55 million from Boston
Oviedo signed a one-year, $1.55 million contract with the Red Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.
A lat strain prevented Oviedo from making his first appearance of 2025 until August, at which point he turned in a 3.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 40.1 innings in nine starts with the Pirates. After being traded to Boston in December, the 27-year-old will take in a $700,000 raise from his new club and look to win a spot in the Sox's rotation during spring training.
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Andrew Vaughn 1B | MIL
Brewers' Andrew Vaughn: Gets $7.65 million from Brewers
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.
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Gunnar Henderson 3B | BAL
Orioles' Gunnar Henderson: Avoids arbitration at $8.5 million
Henderson agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
It's a massive raise for Henderson in his first year of arbitration eligibility, which is hardly a surprise given that he's been one of the most productive shortstops in baseball since debuting in 2022. The 24-year-old's production dropped a bit in 2025, however, but he still finished with 17 homers, 30 steals, 68 RBI, 85 runs and a .787 OPS in 154 contests.
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Shea Langeliers C | ATH
Athletics' Shea Langeliers: Settles with A's
Langeliers signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Athletics on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Langeliers emerged as one of the top bats in the Athletics' lineup in 2025 while slashing .277/.325/.536 with 31 homers, 72 RBI, 73 runs scored and seven steals across 123 contests. He'll take a $4.48 million raise into his fifth MLB season as a result while maintaining a firm grip on the starting catcher job in Sacramento.
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Anthony Bender RP | MIA
Marlins' Anthony Bender: Avoids arbitration with Marlins
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.
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Gavin Sheets RF | SD
Padres' Gavin Sheets: Gets $4.5 million from Padres
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.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Gets $4 million from Cincinnati
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.
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Lars Nootbaar CF | STL
Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar: Settles with Cards at $5.35 million
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.
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Randy Arozarena LF | SEA
Mariners' Randy Arozarena: Reaches $15.65 million deal
Arozarena agreed to a one-year, $15.65 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Arozarena is receiving a raise of more than $5 million for his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026. The 30-year-old outfielder posted a .238/.334/.426 slash line with 27 homers, 31 stolen bases, 76 RBI and 95 runs in 160 games during the 2025 regular season.
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Tanner Banks RP | PHI
Phillies' Tanner Banks: Gets one-year pact from Phillies
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.