MLB Player News

Martinez agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract with the Reds on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Martinez opted out of the final two years of his contract with the Padres in early November and will head to Cincinnati on a deal that includes an increased salary and an opt-out after the 2024 campaign. The right-hander was reliable in San Diego over the past two seasons, posting a 3.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 216.2 innings over 110 appearances (19 starts). Although he converted just nine of his 16 save chances, he picked up 23 holds, including a career-high 15 last year. The Reds already have one of the top closers in baseball in Alexis Diaz, and they signed Emilio Pagan to a one-year, $8 million contract Wednesday. Pagan should be available as a setup man, and Cincinnati has been rumored to be in the market to acquire several other pitchers during the offseason. However, Martinez could also see some setup duties ahead of Diaz and will also be available to serve as a starter or long reliever when needed.

Stephens (elbow) signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.

Stephens joined Atlanta's big-league bullpen in mid-September and made five appearances before landing on the injured list shortly ahead of the postseason with right elbow inflammation. The 29-year-old righty holds a 3.56 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 65.2 innings since initially joining Atlanta in 2022, though it remains unclear if he will be ready to go for the start of spring training.

Murfee (elbow) signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.

After being claimed off waivers by Atlanta on Nov. 14 and non-tendered by the team three days later, Murfee will officially remain with Atlanta for the 2024 campaign. Murfee holds a 2.70 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in his career across 83.1 big-league innings, though a surgery in June to repair a torn UCL puts him at risk of missing the vast majority of the season.

Barria signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Barria rejected an outright assignment from the Angels and became a free agent earlier in the offseason, and he'll now attempt to carve out a role for himself with the Guardians. The 27-year-old righty posted a 5.68 ERA and 1.47 WHIP last year -- a sharp decline from his 2.61 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 2022. Barria's deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training, and a good spring could be enough for him to earn a spot in Cleveland's Opening Day bullpen.

Wendle signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

After two seasons with the Marlins, Wendle will remain in the NL East and presumably serve in a utility role with the Mets. The 33-year-old infielder had his worst season at the plate in 2023, slashing .212/.248/.306 across 318 plate appearances. While Wendle's defensive versatility may get him in the lineup fairly often next year, his poor bat puts a low ceiling on his fantasy value.

Severino (oblique) agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander will make the short move to Queens after a rollercoaster eight-year run with the crosstown Yankees. He arrived in the Bronx with loads of promise back in 2015 but has battled a range of injuries over the last handful of seasons. It was a high-grade oblique strain that cut short his 2023 campaign, and he stumbled to a 6.65 ERA in 89.1 innings when healthy. That said, Severino should be 100 percent by the beginning of spring training in 2024 and figures to have a spot in the Mets' Opening Day rotation if he gets through camp without any physical complications. His career ERA in the majors is 3.79.

Hampson signed a one-year contract with the Royals on Wednesday.

The deal is worth $2 million guaranteed, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Hampson was non-tendered by the Marlins earlier this month despite posting a career-best .276/.349/.380 batting line over 98 games in 2023 while appearing defensively at shortstop, second base, third base and all three outfield spots. The 29-year-old should be a useful super-utility option for Kansas City in 2024.

The Reds signed Pagan to a one-year, $8 million contract with an $8 million player option for 2025 on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Pagan held a 2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB over 69.1 innings for the Twins in 2023, which was good enough to nab a multi-year pact on the open market. The 32-year-old was able to keep the home run ball in check in 2023, but it's been a major issue for him in the past. Given his new home park, that could be a problem. Pagan would appear in line for setup duties ahead of closer Alexis Diaz.

Haseley was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Tuesday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Paul DeJong, whose one-year, $1.75 million agreement with Chicago has now been made official. Haseley, 27, slashed just .222/.282/.278 over 39 major-league plate appearances in 2023 and also had underwhelming numbers with Triple-A Charlotte with a .264/.338/.386 slash.

McGee (elbow) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Brewers on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

McGee was given an invitation to major-league spring training as part of the deal, but he'll spend it rehabbing after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May. The 25-year-old doesn't figure to be game-ready until around the middle of the 2024 season, but he is now locked in with the Brewers through 2025.