Baty is expected to compete for the Mets' third base job during spring training, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

With Pete Alonso expected to move on and Mark Vientos shifting to first base, the Mets have an opening at the hot corner. Baty has slashed just .215/.282/.325 over 169 games at the big-league level, but he's still only 25 and is a former top prospect. It's possible the Mets go outside the organization for additional competition at third base, but for now Baty will battle Ronny Mauricio (knee) and Luisangel Acuna for the gig.

Sosa agreed on a one-year, $3 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Sosa will get a $1.3 million raise in 2025 after batting .257 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, 39 runs scored and seven stolen bases over 249 at-bats in 90 regular-season games with Philadelphia last season. The 28-year-old can play in both the infield and outfield and will likely operate as a utility option for the team in 2025.

The Cubs designated Mastrobuoni for assignment Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 29-year-old will end up as the Cubs' roster casualty following the acquisition of Matt Festa from Texas on Thursday. Mastrobuoni has slashed just .219/.279/.263 across 272 career plate appearances in the majors, and his .634 OPS at Triple-A Iowa last season could cause him to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Bohm agreed to a one-year, $7.7 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The third baseman was the subject of trade rumors early in the offseason after a tumultuous finish to 2024, but it appears he'll be sticking in Philadelphia for the start of the upcoming campaign. Bohm totaled 15 home runs, 97 RBI and 62 runs with a .280/.332/.448 slash line in 143 games during the 2024 regular season.

Marte might be at risk of a minor-league demotion to begin the 2025 season following the Reds' acquisition of Gavin Lux, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After making a fantastic splash in the majors in 2023, Marte had a lost 2024 season, which started with him sustaining an injury in Winter League play and then serving an 80-game suspension for a positive PED test. Once he returned, he never got on track offensively or defensively, hitting just .210/.248/.301 in 229 at-bats. With Lux on the team, the Reds have to find spots for Matt McLain, Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in addition to Marte, and it doesn't make sense for Marte to ride the bench instead of playing regularly in the minors.

Arenado used his no-trade clause to block a potential trade to the Astros, Mark Feinsand, John Denton and Brian McTaggart of MLB.com report.

The report says the Cardinals were willing to send $15-20 million to the Astros to help cover part of Arenado's salary, but the third baseman informed St. Louis he would not waive his no-trade clause to go to Houston. It's not clear what the Cardinals would have received in return. While the two sides are still having "ongoing talks," the Astros "aren't holding out much hope that a deal will get done."

The Diamondbacks signed Vargas to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Vargas was non-tendered by the Nationals last month after he slashed just .246/.295/.316 in 2024. The 33-year-old first reached the majors with the Diamondbacks in 2017 and has spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues with Arizona. Vargas has a shot to win a utility job with the Diamondbacks.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer indicated Tuesday that Busch is not under consideration to play third base and will instead remain focused on first base, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs have an opening at the hot corner following the trade of Isaac Paredes and Busch has some experience at third base. However, the team views Busch as a potential Gold Glove-caliber first baseman and wants him to remain there. Top prospect Matt Shaw looks to be the current favorite to start at third base.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that Baty could be used in a utility role next season, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Baty was used some at second base in the minors last season and Stearns has previously mentioned the outfield as a possibility for the 25-year-old, so the hints at a potential utility role had been there. Of course, Baty's name has also been brought up in trade rumors and his most likely role for the Mets at this point might be as a trade chip.

Arenado is willing to play some first base in order to create roster flexibility for the team acquiring him in a potential trade, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

A large part of Arenado's value comes from his defense at third base, so it's not clear how many clubs would be looking to shift him to the other side of the diamond even on a part-time basis. Still, some flexibility can't hurt, and the fact he's even willing to entertain the possibility also seems to speak to Arenado's eagerness to waive his no-trade clause. Woo notes that a few teams have expressed interest in Arenado, but those talks "have yet to yield any substantive progress." However, negotiations are expected to pick up around the winter meetings and there is a "growing sense" in the industry that Arenado will be dealt.