MLB Player News

Kendrick will remain with the Nationals on a one-year, $6.25 million deal, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The deal also includes a mutual option for 2021, per Jamal Collier of MLB.com. The 36-year-old enjoyed a renaissance for the World Series winners last season, hitting .344/.395/.572 (good for a career-high 146 wRC+) over 370 plate appearances. Statcast doesn't think he overachieved at all, giving him a .622 expected slugging percentage on the back of an excellent 48.3 percent hard-hit rate. His fantasy value in 2020 will depend in large part on how many opportunities he gets, but he seems to be a good bet to be quite productive when available.

Cronenworth was traded from the Rays to the Padres along with Tommy Pham in exchange for Hunter Renfroe and Xavier Edwards, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

A two-way prospect who can work as a middle infielder or right-handed reliever, Cronenworth is close to big-league ready. In his age-25 season at Triple-A he logged a .334/.429/.520 slash line with 10 home runs, 12 steals, a 12.1 percent walk rate and 15.3 percent strikeout rate in 88 games. The Padres have a lot of middling options at second base, led by Jurickson Profar, and Cronenworth could realistically emerge as the best option at the keystone at some point in 2020. His two-way versatility could work as a tie breaker for holding a spot on the 26-man roster.

Avila has agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million contract with Minnesota, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Avila should replace Jason Castro as the left-handed part of a platoon at catcher along with Mitch Garver. It's possible Garver gets more playing time this season after his 31-home run breakout season, but the Twins were careful to rest their catchers. Avila adds strong pitch framing skills to Minnesota's catcher corps. Avila's signing signals that Willians Astudillo will not win the outright backup job, but could still be part of the mix.

Edwards was traded from the Padres to the Rays on Thursday along with Hunter Renfroe in exchange for Tommy Pham, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Edwards finished the 2019 season with High-A Lake Elsinore, slashing .301/.349/.367 with 13 RBI and 14 stolen bases over 46 contests. Though he's not a threat to leave the yard, his speed and ability to hit for average earned him the No. 5 spot in the Padres' farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Edwards begin the year at Double-A Montgomery.

Renfroe was traded from San Diego along with Xavier Edwards in exchange for Tommy Pham on Thursday night, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Renfroe underwent foot surgery at the end of September, but he's expected to be ready to roll for Opening Day. He slashed .216/.298/.489 with 33 home runs and 64 home runs over 140 contests a season ago, showing he's a serious power threat at the dish. He could see time in both right and left field with Tampa Bay.

Pham was traded from the Rays to the Padres on Thursday in exchange for Hunter Renfroe and Xavier Edwards, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The trade has yet to be finalized, but both sides have agreed to the terms of the deal. Pham has hit 20-plus home runs in each of his last three seasons and tied his career high in stolen bases with 25 in 2019 over 145 games. He figures to immediately slot into a starting role with San Diego in the outfield, likely replacing Hunter Renfroe in right field while also spending time in left.

Ynoa signed a contract with the Tokyo Swallows on Thursday.

Ynoa struggled to a 5.61 ERA with a 67:26 K:BB over 110.2 innings a season ago with the Orioles, so he'll aim to resurrect his career in Tokyo. If he manages to perform well, there's certainly the possibility that he could return to Major League Baseball.

Pineda (suspension) agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract with the Twins on Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Pineda became a free agent at the beginning of November after failing to receive a qualifying offer from the Twins, but he'll head right back to Minnesota following Thursday's signing. He'll be required to miss the first month of the 2020 campaign after being slapped with an 80-game ban in September of 2019 for taking a banned substance.

Spangenberg signed a contract with Seibu on Thursday, Patrick Newman of NPBTracker.com reports.

Spangenberg chose free agency at the beginning of November after Milwaukee outrighted him from the 40-man roster. He hit .232 with two home runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases over 32 contests with the Brewers in 2019.

Murphy will likely serve as the Mariners' primary catcher in 2020 after Omar Narvaez was traded to the Brewers on Thursday, ESPN reports.

Murphy saw an increased role for the Mariners in 2019 even while working behind Narvaez, as he managed to appear in 76 games. Over the season, the 28-year-old hit .273/.324/.535 with 18 home runs and 40 RBI. Austin Nola will likely serve as the backup, but Murphy could gain fantasy relevance in deeper leagues in 2020 if he continues to produce.