MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks traded McCarthy to the Rockies on Saturday in exchange for Josh Grosz.

McCarthy appeared in just 67 games for the Diamondbacks during 2025 and finished the season with a career-low .592 OPS across 222 plate appearances. Moving to Coors Field should help the 28-year-old's chances of bouncing back offensively in 2026, and he'll likely have more opportunities to start in the outfield with the Rockies as well -- primarily against right-handed starters.

Smith (quadriceps) signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

Smith missed nearly the entire second half of the 2025 season due to a combination of oblique and quadriceps injuries. He'll likely begin the 2026 campaign on the strong side of a platoon at first base, assuming he returns to good health.

McCarthy agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Diamondbacs to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

McCarthy has been mentioned as a trade candidate this offseason, but he's stuck with the Diamondbacks thus far. He currently projects to serve on the strong side of a platoon in left field, though he'll need to improve significantly to retain that role after posting a 60 wRC+ across 222 plate appearances in 2025.

The Phillies and Marsh avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million contract Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Marsh had been eligible for arbitration for a second time. The outfielder slashed .280/.342/.443 with 11 home runs across 133 regular-season contests for the Phillies in 2025. Marsh is slated to open 2026 as the team's primary left fielder and will likely see most of his starts versus right-handed pitching.

The Dodgers and Call avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.6 million contract Thursday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Call gets a pay bump in his first year of arbitration eligibility as a Super 2 qualifier. The 31-year-old hit .247/.333/.384 in 38 regular-season games for the Dodgers in 2025 after being acquired at the trade deadline. Call will open 2026 as a reserve outfielder.

The Brewers and Mitchell (shoulder) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $950,000 contract Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Mitchell missed most of the 2025 season after requiring a second surgery on his left shoulder, and it's unclear whether he will be ready to go at the start of the 2026 campaign. The outfielder is under team control through 2028 and is likely to compete for a starting job in the outfield when healthy.

The Cardinals and Burleson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Burleson receives a well-earned raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old has made a steady progression offensively for the Cardinals, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .290/.343/.459 batting line and 18 home runs. Burleson is slated to take over as the everyday first baseman in 2026 after spending most of his first four seasons playing the outfield.

The Reds and Benson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.725 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Benson had been arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 27-year-old slashed .226/.273/.435 with 12 long balls over 90 contests for the Reds in 2025. He could open the 2026 season as the Reds' left fielder against right-handed pitching, though he will have competition for playing time.

The Reds and Friedl avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.8 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Friedl receives a nice pay bump in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old slashed .261/.364/.378 with 14 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 2025 and is slated again to open up the 2026 campaign as the Reds' primary center fielder.

The Diamondbacks and Thomas avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.9625 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Thomas was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old is regarded as a plus defender in center field but has not progressed offensively, finishing 2025 with a .249/.289/.370 batting line. If he's still with the team on Opening Day, Thomas figures to again receive the bulk of the reps in center field.