Blog

Matrix Reloaded: February 21, 2025

22 February 2025

The heavy lifting for the offseason seems to be over, except there’s an enormous commerce coming down the pike. (Keep in mind, Dylan Stop wasn’t moved from the White Sox to the Padres till March 13 final yr.) However that doesn’t imply nothing has occurred within the final week; there have been nonetheless some stragglers on the free agent market who discovered groups as spring camps opened, and there’ll be extra but within the lead as much as Opening Day. Let’s go over the strikes, all of that are up to date within the Offseason Matrices doc.

Free Agent Signings

Cubs Signal Justin Turner for One 12 months, $6 Million

• Esteban Rivera’s Write-Up of the Deal
• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Cubs

Turner’s days of getting vital motion at third base are over, so I don’t assume his acquisition goes to offer Matt Shaw any much less of an opportunity of successful the job out of camp. Most of Turner’s plate appearances are prone to come towards lefties, spelling lefty-swinging first baseman Michael Busch. The Cubs may additionally theoretically do some rearranging (Ian Happ to middle, Seiya Suzuki to left) to offer Turner some DH run towards lefties, however that’s an enormous defensive downgrade from Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Pirates Signal Andrew Heaney for One 12 months, $5.25 Million

• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Pirates

Heaney hasn’t been something spectacular during the last couple of years, however he’s a fairly good wager to take the ball for 25-plus begins for a 3rd straight season. He’ll observe Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller within the rotation. Bailey Falter is prone to take the fifth spot, with Johan Oviedo, who’s coming off Tommy John surgical procedure, additionally within the combine. Heaney’s current dabbling in bouncing forwards and backwards between the rotation and bullpen may show helpful down the stretch, assuming at the very least considered one of Bubba Chandler, Mike Burrows, Braxton Ashcraft, and Anthony Solometo is able to contribute sooner or later this yr.

Nationals Signal Lucas Sims for One 12 months, $3 Million

• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Nationals

Sims signed a deal an identical to the one Jorge López bought final month, and each shall be taken into consideration for the Nationals’ open nearer job after they non-tendered Kyle Finnegan. Sims ended the season with a tough 15 appearances for the Purple Sox by which he walked extra batters than he struck out, however has observe document of swing-and-miss stuff. Derek Legislation and Jose A. Ferrer may additionally get outs within the late innings for Washington.

Rockies Signal Scott Alexander for One 12 months, $2 Million

• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Rockies

Alexander is considered one of simply two relievers who’s 100% assured of a spot within the Rockies bullpen, together with presumptive nearer Tyler Kinley. Seth Halvorsen and Luis Peralta had glorious (small-sample) MLB debuts final yr, Victor Vodnik confirmed some flashes and picked up 9 saves, and former nearer Justin Lawrence is out of choices. Alexander’s means to get grounders with the perfect of them ought to work fairly nicely at Coors Area.

Rangers Signal Luke Jackson for One 12 months, $1.5 Million

• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Rangers

The highest six (!!!) relievers within the Rangers’ projected bullpen weren’t on the 2024 membership, although Texas is a lot conversant in Jackson, who made his MLB debut with the group in 2015, the final yr of Mike Maddux’s first stint because the membership’s pitching coach. The Rangers are most likely all set with the bullpen now, with these high six spots locked in and no fewer than 10 arms vying for the ultimate two.

Athletics Signal Luis Urías for One 12 months, $1.1 Million

• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Nationals

Urías figures to compete with fellow new Athletic Gio Urshela for the open third base spot, and he may also spell Zack Gelof at second base when he wants a day without work. It’s potential that the A’s have only one open roster spot remaining for a place participant, with the highest contenders being Esteury Ruiz, Max Schuemann, Darell Hernaiz, Brett Harris, and CJ Alexander. The Different Max Muncy may make his debut someday this yr.

Nationals Signal Paul DeJong for One 12 months, $1 Million

• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Nationals

DeJong is settling for a way more restricted function than he signed for final yr, when he agreed to a $1.5 million contract with the White Sox early within the offseason to be their beginning shortstop. Regardless of hitting 24 homers in his greatest season 2019, DeJong needed to take a deal for two-thirds of his 2024 wage. With the Nationals, he’ll need to combat for plate appearances at third base with José Tena and Amed Rosario, whereas additionally often spelling CJ Abrams at brief. Alas, the free agent market isn’t at all times rational, particularly this time of yr.

Guardians Signal John Means for One 12 months, $1 Million

• Up to date Roster Projection
• Up to date Payroll Projection

Impact on the Guardians

For the 2025 Guardians, Means doesn’t imply an excessive amount of. After present process his second Tommy John surgical procedure in three years final June, it’s arduous to foresee the lefty pitching for Cleveland at any level this yr, since his first rehab took 16 months. If his restoration goes nicely, the Guardians have a $6 million membership choice for 2026, a discount for a pitcher of Means’ caliber as long as he’s wholesome.