MLB Player News

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.

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.

Doyle signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration with the Rockies, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Doyle took a step back last season with the Rockies, slashing just .233/.274/.650 with 15 homers, 57 RBI, 57 runs scored and 18 steals over 538 plate appearances. Despite his disappointing campaign, the 28-year-old outfielder will receive a $2.335 million bump in salary and remains locked in as Colorado's primary center fielder entering 2026.

The Rockies and Moniak avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Moniak had arguably his best season in 2025, slashing .270/.306/.518 with 24 homers and nine stolen bases in his first season with the Rockies. He's slated to open the 2026 season as the team's primary right fielder.

The Marlins acquired Caissie, Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon from the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for Edward Cabrera, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Caissie has nothing left to prove in the minors, having slashed .281/.380/.507 with 41 home runs at Triple-A Iowa over the last two seasons. The 23-year-old struggled in his cup of coffee with the Cubs in 2025 and has posted a 29.1 percent strikeout rate in the minors, but Caissie's power will play in the majors if he makes enough contact. He's the favorite to open the 2026 season as the Marlins' primary right fielder.

The Giants designated Dean for assignment Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Dean arrived in San Francisco in November via waiver claim, but he'll now depart the 40-man roster to make room for Tyler Mahle. Dean slashed .289/.378/.431 and stole 27 bases across 347 plate appearances with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in 2025, and he's likely to work as minor-league depth again in 2026.

Keirsey signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Dec. 18.

Keirsey has found a new home with Atlanta after being non-tendered by the Twins and electing free agency in November. The outfielder appeared in 74 matchups with Minnesota during the 2025 season, struggling to a .107 average with two home runs, six RBI, 10 stolen bases on 13 attempts and 11 runs scored.

The Nationals claimed Wiemer off waivers from the Giants on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's the third organization Wiemer has been in since November and fourth since August. The 26-year-old slashed .236/.279/.436 with a 2:23 BB:K over 27 contests for the Marlins in 2025. Wiemer is out of minor-league options, so he should have a good chance to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster in a reserve role.

The Marlins acquired Ruiz from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for Adriano Marrero, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Ruiz got into 19 games with the Dodgers in 2025, going 4-for-21 with one home run and four stolen bases. The 26-year-old led the American League with 67 steals in 2023, but he's managed just a .241/.296/.343 batting line over parts of four major-league seasons and is regarded as a poor defensive outfielder. Ruiz has a better chance to make the Marlins' Opening Day roster than he would have the Dodgers', but he does have minor-league options remaining.

The Reds traded O'Donnell to the Marlins on Saturday in exchange for Dane Myers (knee).

O'Donnell spent the entire 2025 campaign with the Reds' Double-A affiliate and struggled to the tune of a .235/.326/.325 slash line across 503 plate appearances. The 23-year-old will likely report to Double-A Pensacola upon joining his new organization and aim to reach Triple-A Jacksonville by the end of 2026.