Alonso, Mets avoid arbitration with deal
NEW YORK — Pete Alonso agreed Friday on a $14.5 million contract with the New York Mets for next season to avoid salary arbitration.
The slugging first baseman nearly doubled his $7.4 million salary from 2022, when he tied for the major league lead with 131 RBIs and finished eighth in NL MVP balloting. He batted .271 with 40 home runs and an .869 OPS in 160 games.
The two-time All-Star and 2019 NL Rookie of the Year can become a free agent following the 2024 season.
Five of the six other Mets who began the day eligible for arbitration agreed to one-year deals: catcher Tomás Nido ($1,575,000), reliever Drew Smith ($1.3 million), infielder Luis Guillorme ($1.6 million) and right-handers Elieser Hernández ($1.6 million) and Jeff Brigham ($760,000).
The only one who did not was AllStar second baseman Jeff McNeil, the reigning big league batting champion. McNeil asked for $7.75 million, while the Mets offered him $6.25 million.
Friday was the deadline for arbitration-eligible players to swap proposed salaries with their teams. If the Mets and McNeil are unable to strike a deal, they would go to a hearing before a three-person arbitration panel sometime between Jan. 30 and Feb. 17 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
In another move, the Mets acquired minor league outfielder Luis De La Cruz from Baltimore as the player to be named in the trade that sent catcher James McCann to the Orioles last month.
De La Cruz, 20, has batted .252 with one home run, 19 RBIs and a .405 onbase percentage over 60 career games in the Dominican Summer League.
Yankees:
Gleyber Torres remained headed toward a salary arbitration hearing with New York while nine teammates reached one-year agreements by Friday night, including All-Star pitchers Nestor Cortes and Clay Holmes. Torres asked for a raise from $6.25 million to $10.2 million, and the Yankees offered the second baseman $9.7 million. If the sides don't strike a deal, a hearing would be held next month. Righthander Frankie Montas agreed to $7.5 million, while Cortes got $3.2 million. Right-handers Domingo Germán ($2.6 million), Jonathan Loáisiga ($2,262,500) and Michael King ($1.3 million) also agreed, along with Holmes ($3.3 million) and left-hander Wandy Peralta ($3.35 million). New York catchers Jose Trevino ($2.36 million) and Kyle Higashioka ($1,462,500) also reached agreements.
Red Sox: Boston came to terms with infielder
Christian Arroyo ($2 million), right-hander Ryan Brasier ($2 million), catcher Reese McGuire ($1,225,000), right-hander Nick Pivetta ($5.35 million) and outfielder Alex Verdugo ($6.3 million).
Athletics: Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami and Oakland finalized a $3.25 million, one-year contract Friday, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for starts.
Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Toronto avoided salary arbitration Friday night by agreeing to a $14.5 million contract for next season. Toronto had 12 players eligible for arbitration — only Tampa Bay with 14 had more. The lone member of that Blue Jays group who did not settle by Friday's deadline was shortstop Bo Bichette.
All-Star pitcher Max Fried and Atlanta are headed toward a hearing for the second straight year. Fried was awarded $6.85 million last year rather than Atlanta's $6.6 million offer. This time, he asked for $15 million as the Braves offered $13.5 million.
The resignation of Matt Holliday as St. Louis’ bench coach caught team President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak by surprise, but he’s happy with the hiring of Joe McEwing. Mozeliak addressed the media Saturday morning at Busch Stadium during the Cardinals Winter Up weekend.
Cleveland reached agreement Friday with pitcher Shane Bieber on a $10.01 million contract for next season to avoid salary arbitration. The Guardians also reached deals with shortstop Amed Rosario ($7.8 million), pitchers Cal Quantrill ($5.55 million), Zach Plesac ($2.95 million) and Aaron Civale ($2.6 million) and first baseman Josh Naylor ($3.35 million).
Minnesota and right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack agreed Friday to a $12.5 million, three-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations . ... AL batting champion Luis Arraez was the only eligible Minnesota player who didn't settle, asking for $6.1 million while the Twins offered $5 million.