MLB Player News
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Nolan Gorman 2B | STL
Cardinals' Nolan Gorman: Will see significant playing time
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has said the team would like to see Gorman receive close to 600 at-bats next season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Gorman spent the final five-plus weeks of the 2024 season in the minors and finished with a .671 OPS and 37.6 percent strikeout rate. However, the Cardinals are committed to giving their younger players a long leash in 2025 and Gorman will be one of the beneficiaries. What position Gorman plays is not yet clear. He's seen most of his starts at the major-league level at second base and could play there, but moving back to his natural third base position is also an option if the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado.
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Michael Stefanic 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Michael Stefanic: Inks minors deal with Toronto
The Blue Jays signed Stefanic to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports reports.
Stefanic elected free agency after being outrighted off the Angels' 40-man roster in October. The 28-year-old has slashed just .232/.317/.275 over parts of three big-league seasons and will likely begin 2025 as a utility infielder at Triple-A Buffalo.
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Jeremiah Jackson 2B | NYM
Orioles' Jeremiah Jackson: Signs MiLB deal with Baltimore
The Orioles signed Jackson to a minor-league contract Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Jackson played in 121 games with Double-A Binghamton in 2024, batting .206 with 19 home runs, 61 RBI, 49 runs scored and 11 stolen bass as a member of the Mets organization. He will now get a shot to prove himself with Baltimore ahead of the 2025 campaign.
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Franklin Barreto 2B | WAS
Orioles' Franklin Barreto: Signs minor-league deal with O's
The Orioles signed Barreto to a minor-league contract Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Barreto played in 29 games with Triple-A Rochester in 2023, batting .202 with seven home runs, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored and two stolen bases over 99 at-bats. He spent the 2024 season with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, producing a .343 average with 16 home runs and 63 RBi over 76 games. Barreto will now look to make the most of his opportunity with Baltimore ahead of the 2025 season.
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Andy Ibanez 2B | DET
Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Agrees to terms for 2025
Ibanez agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Ibanez took a step back during his second year with the Tigers, slashing .241/.295/.357 over 244 plate appearances during the regular season. However, the Tigers have deemed his performance worthy of a $633,900 raise from his previous salary. He's expected to remain in a utility role next year.
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Brendan Rodgers 2B | COL
Brendan Rodgers: Non-tendered by Rockies
The Rockies non-tendered Rodgers on Friday.
Rodgers was one of the Rockies' more productive bats in 2024, slashing .267/.314/.407 with 54 RBI across 539 plate appearances. However, the team -- seemingly willing to give Aaron Schunk a look at second base -- will let Rodgers enter the open market after six seasons in Colorado.
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Josh Rojas 2B | SEA
Josh Rojas: Non-tendered by Seattle
The Mariners non-tendered Rojas on Friday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Rojas will enter free agency coming off a 2024 regular season in which he slashed .225/.304/.336 with 10 stolen bases, eight home runs and 31 RBI over 474 plate appearances. The 30-year-old will look to catch on with a team in need of a lefty-hitting infielder.
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Jonathan India 2B | KC
Royals' Jonathan India: Dealt to KC
The Royals acquired India (ankle) and Joey Wiemer in exchange for Brady Singer on Friday.
India enjoyed a strong 2024 season with the Reds while serving as their primary second baseman. However, with Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand back from injury, there was a projected playing time squeeze along Cincinnati's infield. India should immediately slot into the starting second base job with the Royals ahead of Michael Massey, and he could hit near the top of the order given his career .352 OBP.
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Santiago Espinal 2B | CIN
Reds' Santiago Espinal: Inks deal with Cincy
Espinal and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Espinal was traded from the Blue Jays to the Reds in March and had a .246/.295/.356 slash line with nine home runs and 11 steals in 118 games during 2024. He should fill a utility role for Cincinnati again in 2025.
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Rodolfo Castro 2B | PHI
Phillies' Rodolfo Castro: Back in Philadelphia on MiLB deal
The Phillies re-signed Castro to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Castro was outrighted off the Phillies' 40-man roster earlier this month but has returned on a minors pact. The infielder missed the bulk of the 2024 season with shoulder and thumb injuries. The 25-year-old Castro sports a career .219/.292/.380 batting line over parts of three major-league seasons.