The Royals and Garcia (hamstring) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a five-year contract extension with a club option for 2031 on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Anne Rogers of MLB.com says the deal is worth a guaranteed $57.5 million and can reach $85 million if he hits escalators and the option is exercised. Garcia had been eligible for salary arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier, but his new deal with cover all arbitration years and at least one year of free agency. Slated to turn 26 in March, Garcia had a breakout 2025 season, slashing .286/.351/.449 with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases while capturing his first American League Gold Glove award. The third baseman recently strained his hamstring while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, but he should be fine for the beginning of spring training.

Torres (groin) has been cleared to participate in all baseball activities, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Torres underwent sports hernia surgery in October, an injury that he played through over the final month of the regular season and into the playoffs. He is now fully recovered from the operation and can proceed with his normal offseason training. Torres will return as the Tigers' everyday second baseman in 2026 after accepting the team's one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer.

Olson (shoulder) was scheduled to begin a throwing progression this week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Olson missed the final two month of the regular season and the playoffs with a right shoulder strain, but he is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training. The right-hander has dealt with injury issues but has been effective when on the bump, boasting a career 3.60 ERA and 269:91 K:BB over 284.2 regular-season innings since 2023.

Manzardo has gained 14 pounds of muscle since the end of the 2025 season, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The Guardians want Manzardo, who played a career-high 142 regular-season games last season, to hold up better physically and be a candidate for more reps at first base in 2026. He mostly served as a designated hitter in 2025, when he appeared in 84 regular-season games as a DH and 55 at first base. With Carlos Santana no longer around, Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus are primed for more work at first, although Kayfus might be a better fit in the outfield. While holding up physically over the course of a season is one goal for the 25-year-old Manzardo, becoming a legit threat against left-handed pitching should be another. He slashed .186/.253/.419 over 95 regular-season plate appearances against southpaws in 2025.

Thomas (foot) signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Royals on Thursday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Injuries limited Thomas to playing in just 39 games with the Guardians in 2025, as he missed time at the start of the year with a wrist issue before plantar fasciitis in his right foot ended his season in July. When the 30-year-old was healthy, he struggled to produce at the plate, slashing just .160/.246/.272 over 142 plate appearances. Despite his struggles, Thomas should be able to capture a starting job in a Royals outfield that lacks depth following Mike Yastrzemski's departure.

The Guardians signed Holderman to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Holderman was non-tendered by the Pirates in November following a disastrous 2025 season that saw him collect a 7.01 ERA and 18:16 K:BB over 25.2 innings. The 30-year-old reliever entered the season with a career 3.58 ERA and 23.8 percent strikeout rate, so he's a good bet to bounce back to some degree in 2026 in a new setting. The Guardians will have multiple years of control, as Holderman will be eligible for salary arbitration in 2027 and 2028.

The Orioles designated Handley for assignment Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Handley will lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Pete Alonso, whose signing became official Thursday. Handley went 3-for-41 (.073) in the majors this past season but slashed a more respectable .258/.373/.367 over 154 plate appearances at Triple-A Norfolk.

Jones signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Jones slashed .145/.254/.258 across 71 plate appearances with the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate before being released by the club in May. He then signed a minor-league deal with the Astros, but an injury forced him to miss most of the remainder of the season. Now with the Brewers, the 27-year-old projects to remain a minor-league depth piece.

Baddoo signed a one-year contract with the Brewers on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Baddoo spent the majority of the 2025 campaign with the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate, where he slashed .281/.385/.481 with 15 homers, 48 RBI, 73 runs scored and 25 steals over 103 games. The 27-year-old outfielder will have a chance to earn a spot on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster during spring training, though it's unlikely he lands a starting job over Isaac Collins, Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio.

The Cubs signed Milner to a one-year, $3.75 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Milner will be reunited with manager Craig Counsell, who he pitched for in three of his four years with the Brewers. The left-handed reliever spent the 2025 campaign with the Rangers, collecting a 3.84 ERA, 51.4 percent groundball rate and 58:21 K:BB over 70.1 frames.