Matrix Reloaded: December 12, 2025

Glad Friday (and Unhappy Finish of Winter Conferences Week), everybody. For these holding rating, my ultimate coffee-consumed-to-transactions-completed ratio in Orlando (together with airport espresso and transactions) was 132 ounces to eight transactions. In between kibitzing with my FanGraphs colleagues and the oldsters within the media who I solely get to see yearly or had by no means met, the Matrix was buzzing alongside as all the time.

As ever, I’ll get into the massive happenings of the final seven days, beginning with larger signings and funneling right down to the smallest ones, after which going over trades.

Vital Signings

Orioles Signal Pete Alonso for 5 Years, $155 Million

Impact on the Orioles

The Orioles made their want for a giant bat well-known even after buying and selling Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward, and so they positive made good on these efforts by bringing Alonso right down to Camden Yards for 5 years.

Baltimore has a humiliation of riches on the offensive aspect, with solely 4 defensive positions trying settled on an on a regular basis foundation: Alonso at first, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Ward in left, and Jordan Westburg at third base. New supervisor Craig Albernaz will likely be tasked with determining learn how to divvy up enjoying time on the different 5 positions, in addition to figuring out how usually lefties Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, and Samuel Basallo will likely be platooned. There’s additionally the puzzle of what to do with Adley Rutschman, who hasn’t hit a lot at everywhere in the final season-and-a-half however is much better than Basallo behind the plate.

Most instantly, the addition of Alonso impacts fellow righty first basemen Coby Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle (coincidentally, Alonso’s signing broke on Mayo’s birthday). There isn’t a great way to suit each of them on the roster, and albeit, rostering a second first-base-only man behind Alonso could be robust, too. It will be wholly unsurprising to see them each floated in commerce rumors for the remainder of the offseason.

Impact on Different Groups

The elephant within the room is the New York Mets and the place they flip with out Alonso. There isn’t a righty energy bat nearly as good as Alonso on the free agent market or realistically acquirable through commerce, however that doesn’t imply the Mets are utterly devoid of pivot choices, both. Mark Vientos rebounding to nearer to his 2024 stage of manufacturing would go a great distance by itself, however anticipating that might be silly, even when he has proven prodigious recreation energy prior to now.

As for first base itself, the Mets might fill that place extra modestly; they’ve reportedly no less than toyed with the concept of transferring Jeff McNeil over to first and signing Paul Goldschmidt to platoon with him. (From my viewpoint, Miguel Andujar and Ty France additionally make sense as suits there.) That will create a gap within the outfield, whether or not for Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, or a extra modest addition. Alternatively, the Mets may use Vientos at first and signal Kazuma Okamoto from Japan to play third base. They’ve additionally expressed curiosity in St. Louis’ Lars Nootbaar, and are reportedly speaking with the Cardinals about Willson Contreras as nicely. There are additionally nearly absolutely a plethora of unreported names they’ve seemed into. All of that is to say: Simply because the Mets haven’t finished something doesn’t imply they received’t, and it doesn’t imply they’re not busy attempting.

As for different groups, Jon Heyman reported that the 2 non-Orioles groups that met with Alonso in Orlando had been the Pink Sox and Cubs. (I additionally love the element that no one noticed him and he obtained to make use of a freight elevator, by the way in which.) The Cubs are particularly fascinating in that Alonso wouldn’t have been a really clear roster match with Michael Busch already at first, however Alonso may have break up time with Busch there and DHed some offered he was prepared to remain off the sector extra usually than he was as a Met. The Pink Sox are already pivoting to a plethora of righty energy bats now that Alonso has signed.

Impact on Comparable Gamers

With Alonso and Kyle Schwarber (way more on him beneath) discovering offers, there isn’t anybody left in free company who suits the “protection be damned” bruiser position at such an costly value. However Alonso taking a job may get the market going for the primary basemen anticipated to signal for extra modest sums, of which there are nonetheless choices aplenty. Ryan O’Hearn (who also can play the outfield), Luis Arraez (who also can play second), Goldschmidt, Josh Bell, and Rhys Hoskins are all unsigned.

Phillies Signal Kyle Schwarber for 5 Years, $150 Million

Impact on the Phillies

That is a straightforward one: There was one transfer the Phillies actually wished to make, and so they made it. Trea Turner-Schwarber-Bryce Harper is up there among the many greatest 1-2-3 punches within the recreation. The laborious half is determining precisely how a lot the Phillies are prepared to spend to buttress the highest three, as a result of the lineup will get shallow in a rush.

On the Matrix, you’ll see the Phillies all for reunions with J.T. Realmuto and Harrison Bader, although bringing again both or each of these gamers is prone to do extra for the protection than offense. They’ve additionally been linked to Munetaka Murakami and Bellinger, each of whom carry threat but additionally may be transformative in the course of a lineup. On the commerce entrance, may this lastly be the offseason for an Alec Bohm commerce? That will permit the membership to extra cleanly roster somebody like Ketel Marte or Brendan Donovan, each of whom have been linked to Philly on the Trades/Claims tab of the Matrix.

A model of the 2026 Phillies that’s nearly as good or higher than the 2025 iteration might be one which’s additionally costlier, with $21 million to go earlier than hitting 2025’s $291 million payroll. Offloading Bohm and/or no less than just a little little bit of Nick Castellanos’ $20 million wage would create some area, however would additionally open one other beginning lineup spot along with the catcher they so clearly want, Realmuto or in any other case. Philadelphia additionally has its annual want for a reliever or two, and will need a swingman-type if not a full-fledged beginning pitcher as nicely.

Impact on Different Groups

Ken Rosenthal was sort sufficient to write up the opposite gives Schwarber had on the desk within the speedy aftermath of his signing, with the massive spotlight being that the Orioles not solely provided Schwarber the identical deal he signed with Philadelphia, however that they might have been the catalyst for the Phillies upping their provide to that quantity. The Pirates additionally provided Schwarber the same common annual worth however one fewer yr, whereas the Reds had been at 5 years however within the $125 million vary.

The Orioles, after all, instantly pivoted to signing Alonso to an almost equivalent deal, proving that they had been critical about enjoying on the high of the market past Schwarber. The identical can’t be stated for the opposite two groups: The Reds believed spending huge on Schwarber could be value it as a result of the Ohio native would enhance ticket gross sales appreciably, and whereas the Pirates are in search of offense, they’ve by no means been (and doubtless shouldn’t be) thought of affordable choices for Tucker, Alonso, Alex Bregman, or Bo Bichette. On the Matrix, you may see the Pirates have reported curiosity in Murakami, however evaluations for him are everywhere in the map and he might not find yourself requiring even half the outlay Schwarber did.

Impact on Comparable Gamers

There aren’t direct comparables for Schwarber on the open market, in that he’s a pure DH who was seen as the very best hitter in the marketplace however was by no means the very best participant (that’s Tucker, unanimously) since he’s restricted to batting and will likely be in his age-33 season. Moreover, Schwarber’s $30 million common annual worth was about as anticipated for him, and I’d chalk up the additional yr to Philly adjusting to a robust market, one thing that’s usually individualized to the participant quite than an consequence I’d extrapolate to different gamers.

Dodgers Signal Edwin Díaz for Three Years, $69 Million (Approx. $63.3 Million in Current Worth)

Impact on the Dodgers

You didn’t have to look at many Dodgers video games this October to return to the conclusion that if there’s something this crew wanted, it was bullpen assist. Six Dodgers pitched in Recreation 7 of the World Collection, and solely two, Justin Wrobleski and Emmet Sheehan, weren’t starters through the playoff run (and people guys are nonetheless beginning pitchers!). Roki Sasaki closed for a lot of the postseason, however he wasn’t the crew’s unique nearer, and he’s anticipated to return to the rotation in 2026 anyway.

This represents the Dodgers’ second consecutive offseason with a big monetary outlay to a reliever. Tanner Scott obtained the most important reliever contract final offseason along with his four-year, $72 million deal, and Díaz will probably find yourself with this offseason’s largest when all is claimed and finished. Scott had a tough first go-round as a Dodger, lacking time with left elbow irritation earlier than he went unused for all the playoff run due to a lower-body abscess process. Supervisor Dave Roberts believes that 2025 was an outlier for Scott — not that he’d say something completely different a few participant below contract for 3 extra years — and if he’s confirmed appropriate, Scott could possibly be one of many recreation’s greatest setup males.

Becoming a member of Scott in establishing for Díaz will likely be Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, and Anthony Banda.

Braves Signal Robert Suarez for Three Years, $45 Million

Impact on the Braves

Regardless of signing the second-largest reliever contract of the offseason, Suarez is anticipated to arrange for Raisel Iglesias, who re-upped with the membership on a $16 million contract after a glowing end to his season.

Having two closers affords the Braves the luxurious of resting Iglesias extra in the event that they’d like, realizing that they’ve obtained a strong arm with closing expertise aplenty to again him up. Moreover, locking Suarez down for 3 years provides the Braves an apparent successor to Iglesias at any time when that relationship ends. There’s not a lot area for the Braves to make bullpen additions, with Dylan Lee the one arm within the projected ‘pen who could be optioned to the minors, although a José Suarez or Joey Wentz DFA can’t be dominated out.

Impact of the Díaz and Suarez Signings on Different Groups

By far the largest subject of dialogue within the aftermath of Díaz heading west (extra so than how he impacts the Dodgers!) is how this impacts the Mets. The Mets had a barely decrease provide out to Díaz, however would have gone increased if Díaz had circled again, which he didn’t.

Shedding Díaz led to a minor revolt in some corners of Mets web, which as somebody with a barely sadistic streak in terms of studying fanbase crash outs on social media, I’ll admit I couldn’t look away from. Whereas I perceive the frustration, it’s necessary to keep in mind that the Mets did signal Devin Williams, a superb arm who may very nicely be higher than Díaz subsequent yr and certainly over the course of the following three.

That stated, it’s utterly comprehensible to take a look at the Mets’ present bullpen and suppose that they’ve obtained work to do to fill it out. Williams and lefties A.J. Minter (if wholesome to begin the season) and Brooks Raley are the one locks, with loads of query marks thereafter. Ryan Helsley (Orioles) and Gregory Soto (Pirates) have already chosen new groups in free company, and Tyler Rogers and Ryne Stanek may additionally in the end signal elsewhere. There’s a transparent want for one more leverage righty, and the Mets appear nicely conscious of that contemplating they had been in on Díaz till the top.

Suarez reportedly had curiosity from the Blue Jays (who had been additionally all for Díaz), and with the highest three relievers off the board, there’s no one left who would positively take the closing job away from Jeff Hoffman, although Pete Fairbanks would have a superb probability to. He might nicely need that assurance when signing with a crew, with the widespread curiosity in him affording him the leverage to ask.

Impact of the Díaz and Suarez Signings on Comparable Gamers

No one left in the marketplace has as excessive of a ceiling as Díaz or is as completed at racking up saves lately as Suarez. However I’d argue that there are reduction pitchers who’ve a better ground than both, contemplating Díaz’s propensity to lose the zone and Suarez’s age — and so they’ll be cheaper besides.

Fairbanks, Rogers, Brad Keller and Kenley Jansen received’t sniff the massive contracts signed by Williams or Díaz, although that trio might nicely have earned themselves three-year offers of their very own.

Braves Signal Mike Yastrzemski for Two Years, $23 Million

Impact on the Braves

Exterior of shortstop, the place Mauricio Dubón might but get pushed right into a utility position by one other addition, the beginning place participant group seems to be set for the Braves. Yastrzemski ought to play most every single day towards righties and be shielded nearly completely from lefties, with Sean Murphy a pure platoon associate, albeit one who would create some positional shuffling (Jurickson Profar from DH to left discipline, Drake Baldwin from catcher to DH). Having additionally strengthened the bullpen by bringing again Iglesias and signing Suarez, Atlanta might already be finished with its heaviest lifting.

Impact on Different Groups

The one different membership with publicly reported curiosity in Yastrzemski was the Royals, for whom Yaz carried out nicely after being acquired on the commerce deadline. The Royals’ gaping outfield holes are apparent and well-documented even after signing Lane Thomas (see his part beneath), and Yastrzemski would’ve been a fairly priced and acquainted possibility. Somebody like O’Hearn would assist to elongate the lineup, however he isn’t a fantastic match for Kauffmann Stadium’s enormous outfield. If the Royals purchase that Bader’s energy surge is legit, he may man left discipline with Thomas platooning with Kyle Isbel’s incredible glove in heart.

Impact on Comparable Gamers

Yastrzemski signed for considerably extra money than anticipated (I believed he’d get one thing like one yr at $11 million, identical because the median prediction for him on the Whole Spending Projection tab). That should be excellent news for Bader and O’Hearn — each of whom had been going to signal for greater than Yastrzemski anyway — and will assist rise the tide for lesser choices like Austin Hays and Max Kepler as nicely.

Tigers Signal Kyle Finnegan for Two Years, $19 Million

Impact on the Tigers

Finnegan reinvented himself in Detroit, growing his splitter utilization from 30% with the Nationals earlier than the commerce deadline to a whopping 55% as soon as the Tigers obtained their fingers on him. That led to a superb ultimate couple months of the season, with the righty placing up a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings (backed up by a 1.97 FIP and a couple of.17 xERA), through which he struck out 23 batters whereas strolling simply 4. That preceded an iffier postseason the place he struck out simply three of 30 batters he confronted.

There was mutual curiosity in a reunion from the get-go, so it’s not shocking to see the Detroit native head again to town the place he was born. He may share closing duties with hard-throwing righty Will Vest, since A.J. Hinch traditionally likes flexibility within the bullpen quite than anointing one nearer.

Impact on Different Groups

As I discussed within the Díaz part, there are nonetheless loads of righty relievers accessible with closing expertise. The aforementioned Keller, Fairbanks, and Jansen may all signal offers bigger than Finnegan’s in common annual worth, with Keller drawing curiosity from groups as a beginning pitcher, and Fairbanks and Jansen proudly owning stronger credentials as lockdown closers over the course of their careers. Groups may shortly pivot to them in Finnegan’s Wake.

Impact on Comparable Gamers

Finnegan signed for just a little bit higher than anticipated (the median prediction was 1.5 years at an AAV of $9.67 million), which might be excellent news for these previously-mentioned second-tier closers. Jansen will certainly need to signal someplace the place he’s the unequivocal nearer so he can proceed to chase 500 saves, and Fairbanks must also discover himself a crew for which he’ll end video games. Contemplating their respective résumés relative to Finnegan, who has picked up saves however hasn’t really been notably good for greater than a few half-seasons, I’d anticipate increased AAVs for Jansen and Fairbanks.

Rays Signal Steven Matz for Two Years, $15 Million

Impact on the Rays

The very first thing for the Rays to think about — and one thing they’ll probably take into account all through the remainder of the offseason and into spring coaching — is how precisely to deploy Matz. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Instances, Matz wished the chance to return to beginning, but it surely’s as but unclear if that’ll materialize for him as a Ray. He was glorious in his first season as a reliever, proving particularly stingy at issuing free passes, a talent that ought to translate nicely in a return to rotation work.

Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiot, Shane McClanahan (if lastly wholesome), and Shane Baz ought to have 4 rotation spots dealt with, with Matz competing with Joe Rock, Ian Seymour, Joe Boyle, and Ty Johnson for the fifth starter job. If he loses on the market, he’ll nonetheless be worthwhile to the Rays as a reliever with the pliability to go lengthy.

Impact on Different Groups

The group of free agent righty relievers is fairly deep, however the identical can’t be stated for the southpaws. With Matz, Soto, and Hoby Milner (extra on these two later) signed, the very best remaining lefties are Caleb Ferguson, Caleb Thielbar, Sean Newcomb, Danny Coulombe, and Justin Wilson. There are some fascinating arms in there, but it surely’s a bunch that ought to proceed to shrink within the coming days and weeks.

Impact on Comparable Gamers

Of the above relievers, Newcomb is the one who’s just like Matz in that he has beginning expertise; he started the season within the Pink Sox rotation earlier than getting DFA’d and ended the yr on a pleasant run out of Sacramento’s bullpen. A two-year deal could also be unlikely contemplating his relative lack of a monitor document lately and his middling Okay-BB%, however a one-year model of Matz’s deal (one thing within the $6 million to $8 million vary?) may come to fruition.

Fast-Hearth One-Yr Offers

Pirates Signal Gregory Soto for One Yr, $7.75 Million

Whereas the Pirates had been unable to reel in Schwarber, uh, no less than they didn’t depart the Winter Conferences empty handed? Dennis Santana established himself as a legit nearer after David Bednar was traded to the Yankees on the deadline, however the bullpen past him grows skinny shortly. Colin Holderman and Dauri Moreta had been non-tendered, and Isaac Mattson and Carmen Mlodzinski pitched exceptionally nicely, however Mlodzinski was in additional of a hybrid/piggyback position than he was working as a real leverage arm (which isn’t to say he couldn’t).

Soto supplies the ever-important Veteran Presence behind Santana, and has been fabulous towards lefties his complete profession. Rookie Evan Sisk had been the membership’s high possibility from the left aspect, and now Soto tasks to be the one getting key outs towards huge lefty bats.

Diamondbacks Signal Michael Soroka for One Yr, $7.5 Million

For the second straight offseason, Soroka signed a one-year “show it” take care of a crew prepared to offer him an opportunity to begin, inking a pact with Arizona that quantities to a $1.5 million pay reduce from his Nationals contract final offseason. I (and the median contract prediction on the Whole Spending Projection web page) thought he’d do fairly a bit higher, but it surely’s believable that he merely wasn’t evaluated as extremely as I believed (i.e., I used to be fallacious! I’ll admit it!), or that he left money on the desk to ensure a rotation spot and get a deal finished earlier within the offseason.

Bear in mind, Soroka ended the season within the Cubs bullpen after he ran out of time to stretch again out to beginning after being on the IL with a shoulder damage, so maybe groups had been all for him as a reliever. He’ll slot in in the direction of the again of the rotation behind Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez.

Tigers Signal Drew Anderson for One Yr, $7 Million

Anderson wasn’t on the radar as a former huge leaguer who was positively going to return to MLB from abroad, however he was fabulous for the SSG Landers of the KBO in 2025, no less than on paper. Our prospects crew graded Anderson as a low-risk, bottom-of-the-rotation 45 FV; Cody Ponce, a 50 FV, signed with the Blue Jays for 3 years and $30 million.

Anderson’s reduction expertise in each the majors and minors helps the Tigers preserve flexibility, and he received’t positively be assured of a rotation spot. Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize are set in stone, with Reese Olson having a leg up for the fourth starter job. That leaves one spot for Anderson, Troy Melton, Keider Montero, Ty Madden, and Sawyer Gipson-Lengthy.

Royals Signal Lane Thomas for One Yr, $5.25 Million

Bouts of plantar fasciitis wrecked Thomas’ 2025 season, throughout which he performed simply 39 video games and was completely dreadful throughout them. However he was value a good 5.7 WAR from 2022-24, and the Royals had such an outsized want for outfielders that it is a completely high quality cube roll.

Thomas presently tasks because the beginning left fielder, however he may find yourself platooning in left or heart if the Royals add one other lefty bat.

Cubs Signal Hoby Milner for One Yr, $3.75 Million

Milner signed for considerably lower than I believed he would; I had him getting extra like two years for $12 million whole, so he didn’t even come near matching the typical annual worth. Maybe groups had been leery of Milner’s age and declining strikeout numbers, however he ought to nonetheless be a helpful center reliever for the Cubs at a really low value. He’ll be part of Daniel Palencia and fellow offseason addition Phil Maton behind the Cubs bullpen, and Chicago may nonetheless add one other reliever or two.

A’s Signal Mark Leiter Jr. for One Yr, $2.85 Million

With an thrilling nucleus of youthful hitters, pitching was all the time going to be on the high of the listing for the A’s this offseason. Leiter, their first addition of the winter, had an uneven season-and-a-half with the Yankees, however his peripherals present a significantly higher pitcher than his ERA would point out. He most likely received’t be the very best reliever becoming a member of Sacramento this offseason, however for now he’s projected to share closing duties with Hogan Harris and Michael Kelly.

Guardians Signal Colin Holderman for One Yr, $1.5 Million

“Exhausting fastball, sharp slider, horrible outcomes” actually feels like a Guardians’ reclamation challenge. Holderman was a helpful reliever from 2022-24 earlier than the wheels got here off this yr, and if the Guardians can proper the ship, they’ll have a really low-cost center reliever who’s below membership management by way of 2028.

Marlins Signal Christopher Morel for One Yr ($ TBA)

Morel has tried and did not play nearly each place nicely, however first base will likely be a brand new one (and in addition the final one, until he needs to dabble in catching). His prodigious bat velocity — he ranked fifteenth of the 275 hitters with no less than 500 swings the yr — and former success (42 homers and a 115 wRC+ from 2022-23) give the Marlins one thing to dream on whereas they hope he manages higher on the place that’s lowest on the defensive spectrum. He’s obtained two extra years of arbitration forward of him if his efficiency deserves sticking round.

Trades

Mariners Purchase Jose A. Ferrer from Nationals for Harry Ford and Isaac Lyon

Impact on the Mariners

The Mariners had been recognized to be trying to find lefty reduction assist, and the Seattle Instances‘ Adam Jude accurately clocked Ferrer as a reputation they had been probably contemplating when reporting the membership’s curiosity in southpaw slingers.

Ferrer’s 4.48 ERA is sort of deceptive — FIP, xFIP, SIERA, and xERA all thought he did significantly higher work this yr — however he’s not with out warts for the Mariners to attempt to take away. His strikeout price is a shade beneath league common, and whereas, say, including a four-seam fastball may have unfavourable impacts like growing his laborious contact allowed, one would suppose the Mariners would possibly try and tweak his pitch combine to get extra whiffs. Moreover, Ferrer was incredible towards lefties (.228 wOBA towards, 21.8% Okay-BB%), however struggled at occasions towards righties (.341 wOBA, 14.5% Okay-BB%), although a few of the issues with righties had been enhanced by a ludicrously excessive .405 BABIP.

Ferrer has 4 seasons of membership management remaining and can assist to arrange Andrés Muñoz alongside fellow lefty Gabe Speier and righties Matt Brash and Eduard Bazardo.

Impact on the Nationals

The 2029 Nationals might be within the playoffs and want they’d Ferrer getting huge outs in his ultimate yr of membership management, however buying six years of a highly-regarded catching prospect (and a not-insignificant low-level arm in Lyon) made giving up the left-hander greater than palatable for brand new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni.

The Nationals unequivocally view Ford as a catcher, and whereas he’s not a completed product, there are sufficient above-average instruments in his catching toolkit to make our Eric Longenhagen suppose he can stick there, too. The Mariners had toyed with the concept of transferring him to left discipline since he was blocked by Cal Raleigh, however that received’t be an issue in Washington.

Keibert Ruiz’s extension isn’t really an albatross for the reason that $6.25 million common annual worth of his contract is so low, however he hasn’t even performed as much as that modest wage. He’s been value -1.9 WAR over the lifetime of the contract, and with every successive yr there’s much less benefit in saying “nicely, he’s nonetheless younger!” and extra benefit in saying “nicely, perhaps that is simply who he’s.” Maybe the brand new teaching employees — particularly hitting coach Matt Borgschulte and catching coach Bobby Wilson — will be capable to enhance him, but it surely’ll take plenty of added worth to make him even a median common.

The Nationals haven’t but specified how probably it’s that Ford may win the Opening Day catching job, although it’s actually potential that he may begin outright or no less than find yourself in a timeshare with Ruiz. Riley Adams signed a $1 million contract to keep away from arbitration, however solely half of that’s assured, and the Nationals actually received’t use $500,000 as a purpose to maintain him round if he can’t present he’s greater than the third possibility.

Angels Purchase Vaughn Grissom from Pink Sox for Isaiah Jackson

Impact on the Angels

The Angels’ second and third base jobs are large open with Yoán Moncada and Luis Rengifo hitting free company, and the out-of-options Grissom is a brand new entrant to the competitors at each spots. He by no means made an affect in Boston after being acquired for Chris Sale, however he was above-average in Triple-A Worcester this yr. He performed all 4 infield positions so he may win both of the 2 open jobs, barring different strikes.

Impact on the Pink Sox

Jackson, the Angels’ eighth-rounder on this yr’s draft, is a depth outfielder. With Grissom off the 40-man, Boston’s bench puzzle is simpler. For now, Romy Gonzalez has a spot, with the versatile Nate Eaton and Nick Sogard penciled into the opposite two non-catcher reserve spots.