MLB Player News

Sanchez agreed to a one-year, $6.8 million contract with the Astros on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old outfielder is entering his penultimate year of arbitration eligibility after being traded from Miami to Houston at last summer's deadline. Sanchez posted a .740 OPS for the Marlins in 2025 but scuffled to a .611 OPS after being dealt to the Astros.

Isbel (hamstring) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Isbel batted .255 over 135 games last year but otherwise failed to improve at the plate, finishing the season with a .654 OPS alongside four home runs, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored -- all decreases from 2024. With the Royals bringing in Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins during the offseason, Isbel is likely to receive some competition for playing time in the outfield in 2026.

Lowe agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe failed to live up to his breakout 2023 campaign again in 2025, ending the season with a .220/.283/.366 slash line alongside 11 homers, 40 RBI and 56 runs scored over 435 plate appearances. He still provides some value as a base-stealing threat, but even his 18 steals this past season marked a three-year low. The 27-year-old has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Meyers agreed to a one-year, $3.55 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Meyers' batting average jumped up from .219 in the 2024 regular season to .292 in 2025, although a calf strain forced him to miss two months and limited him to just three homers, 24 RBI, 53 runs scored and 16 steals in 104 games. The 30-year-old's increased efficiency will grant him a $1.25 million raise for the 2026 campaign, and he'll likely open the year as Houston's everyday center fielder.

Palacios signed a one-year, $945,000 contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Palacios appeared in just 17 games for the Rays in 2025 due to finger, knee and hamstring injuries, but he made the most of his limited opportunities, slashing .333/.396/.452 with three RBI, 10 runs scored and four stolen bases over 48 plate appearances. The 28-year-old utility man could begin to see regular time at second base in 2026 now that Brandon Lowe is in Pittsburgh, which would grant Palacios more opportunities to show off his baserunning skills.

Varsho signed a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Varsho will take a cool $2.55 million raise for 2026 after slashing .238/.284/.548 with 20 homers, 55 RBI and 43 runs scored in the regular season over 271 plate appearances. The 29-year-old outfielder is due to enter free agency next winter.

Greene agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Greene receives a nice raise for 2026 in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The outfielder set career highs with 36 home runs, 111 RBI and 84 runs in 157 regular-season games in 2025, though he also had a career-worst 30.7 percent strikeout rate.

Kwan signed a one-year, $7.725 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Kwan's .704 OPS during the 2025 regular season marked a new career low for him, though he was still fairly productive at the plate while batting .272 and driving in a career-high 56 RBI. He'll bring in a $3.55 million raise for the 2026 campaign and figures to continue playing in left field every day for the Guardians.

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.

Ward agreed to a one-year, $12.175 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 32-year-old will receive a raise of over $4 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility after being traded from the Angels to the Orioles in November. Ward batted just .228 across 157 games in 2025 but set career highs with 36 home runs, 103 RBI and 86 runs.