MLB Player News

Heineman signed a one-year, $1.2375 million contract with the Angels on Friday to avoid arbitration.

Heineman didn't contribute much at the plate in 2026, slashing just .175/.223/.220 across 200 plate appearances, but the Angels value his defense enough to keep him around for another season. The 35-year-old backstop is expected to open the 2027 campaign as a backup to Moises Ballesteros.

The Phillies signed Navarreto to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Navarreto is good defensive catcher who has posted a .559 OPS in 81 career plate appearances at the major-league level. While he could compete for the backup catcher job behind J.T. Realmuto, Navarreto will most likely begin the 2027 season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The Twins extended Jeffers a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

This was a no-brainer for Minnesota after Jeffers posted an .814 OPS with 14 homers and 56 RBI across 369 plate appearances last season. He missed a chunk of the season with a fractured hamate bone and slashed just .231/.317/.410 across his final 55 games after returning from the injury. Jeffers has until Nov. 17 to accept or decline the qualifying offer.

The Brewers declined their side of Sanchez's mutual option for 2027 on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez had a nice season as the Brewers' No. 2 catcher, posting a .771 OPS with 12 home runs. It's unlikely the soon-to-be 34-year-old will be entrusted with a starting job anywhere, but Sanchez should draw interest as a second catcher and occasional designated hitter.

The Brewers exercised Contreras' $15.5 million club option for 2027 on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The reigning World Series MVP returning on an affordable team option was a foregone conclusion. Contreras is currently set to reach free agency next offseason, and a long-term deal with the Brewers seems unlikely. However, the expectation is that the club will resist trade overtures for Contreras this winter and have him hit in the middle of the lineup again in 2027.

Pozo cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Pozo split the 2026 season between the Cardinals and Orioles and slashed a combined .250/.258/.317 with one home run, seven RBI, four runs scored, one stolen base and a 1:9 BB:K across 62 plate appearances.

Stubbs cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent Monday.

Stubbs had one more year of arbitration eligibility, but the Phillies will allow him to seek a job elsewhere rather than pay him a modest raise. The 33-year-old has a career .577 OPS in eight major-league seasons.

The Orioles claimed Morgan off waivers from the Giants on Monday.

Morgan has spent a handful of days in the majors but is still looking to make his major-league debut. The 26-year-old catcher slashed .226/.300/.323 with two home runs in 42 games with Triple-A Sacramento in 2026.

The Astros selected Salazar's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

Salazar lost his place on the Astros' 40-man roster in June, but he's now back on it heading into the offseason. The 30-year-old catcher sports an ugly .189/.295/.216 batting line in parts of four big-league seasons.

Higashioka's mutual option for 2027 wasn't exercised Friday, making him a free agent, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear which side opted to move on, though it's likely the Rangers who passed on paying Higashioka $7 million after he slashed .218/.306/.370 across 186 plate appearances in the majors this year. The 36-year-old backstop will instead receive a $1 million buyout and attempt to land a new deal in the open market, though he is likely to be limited to a bench role at this stage in his career.