Matrix Reloaded: December 29, 2025

Hi there, and a really completely happy vacation season, everybody! After skipping final week, it’s a particular Monday version of the Matrix Reloaded, and as a bonus, you’ll additionally get a Matrix Reloaded this Friday, the primary of 2026. Yow will discover the Offseason Matrices doc right here. You recognize the drill by now, so let’s get proper into the rundown.

Vital Signings

White Sox Signal Munetaka Murakami for Two Years, $34 Million

Impact on the White Sox

Does signing Murakami make the White Sox any likelier to make the playoffs in 2026 or 2027? In all probability not. Does it make them far more entertaining to observe? Completely. That is the form of transfer {that a} workforce just like the White Sox must be making at any time when it will get an opportunity — and people probabilities don’t come round typically. In a free agent market filled with proficient gamers, two years and $34 million for Murakami’s 80-grade uncooked energy ought to go down as the most important upside play of the entire offseason, with increase or bust potential in contrast to any free agent I can recall.

And in contrast to about 27 different groups, the White Sox can provide Murakami a pleasant, lengthy runway to both soar or crash and burn like some assume he’s destined to. A workforce with playoff aspirations can’t afford to lose wins by giving Murakami 1,200 plate appearances over two years if he appears cooked by the 2 hundredth, since he can’t be optioned to the minors with out his consent. The White Sox, although? They can provide him all of the reps they need, each on the plate and at first base, a brand new place for him. Perhaps he’s the unhealthy Joey Gallo. Perhaps he’s the great Joey Gallo. Perhaps he’s Kyle Schwarber. The White Sox are absolutely going to allow us to discover out over a pleasant, large pattern.

Impact on Different Groups

It’s all the time robust to say which groups are actually in on Japanese gamers and which ones are simply being floated as prospects, particularly when the participant coming over isn’t a global sensation like Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto. There have been loads of groups loosely linked to Murakami, however there have been by no means any reviews of “favorites” or something like that. Whichever groups had curiosity, there isn’t one other Murakami-type participant on the free agent market anyway. Consideration will seemingly now flip to fellow NPB star Kazuma Okamoto, however in addition to them each being Japanese third basemen, they’re very completely different from one another.

Impact on Related Gamers

Murakami was a novel participant on this market — uniquely proficient, uniquely flawed, uniquely younger — so I don’t assume his deal may have a lot of an impact on anybody else’s contract.

Pirates Signal Ryan O’Hearn for Two Years, $29 Million

Impact on the Pirates

I don’t purchase that the Pirates have lineup simply but, however they definitely have a greater one after including O’Hearn on high of the commerce with the Rays and Astros that introduced them Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum.

This season, O’Hearn wasn’t shielded from lefties for the primary time in his profession, and he responded with a 135 wRC+ in 109 plate appearances towards them. With the workforce’s different large acquisitions up to now all being lefties (Mangum’s a switch-hitter who was higher from the left facet), O’Hearn persevering with his platoon-neutrality can be a boon to a lineup that obtained tough performances towards southpaws from Spencer Horwitz, and Oneil Cruz; Lowe himself had a horrid 49 wRC+ towards such pitching.

However given O’Hearn’s earlier platooning, the Pirates shouldn’t simply assume that he’ll proceed his strong-hitting methods towards lefties. That’s the place Pittsburgh’s one right-handed addition, Jhostynxon Garcia, ought to are available, although it must also be the place the pursuit of one other righty bat intensifies because the Pirates look to take the following step behind their sturdy pitching employees. On the Matrix, you’ll see them linked to Okamoto, Marcell Ozuna, and J.T. Realmuto, all righty swingers.

Impact on Different Groups

There wasn’t a lot reported curiosity in O’Hearn earlier than he signed, and there aren’t actually some other influence lefty hitters remaining in his value vary so far as pivot gamers go. That leaves the commerce marketplace for groups in search of thump in the course of the lineup. Lefty swingers doubtlessly on the commerce block embody Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, CJ Abrams, Steven Kwan, Nolan Gorman, and Brendan Donovan.

Impact on Related Gamers

As talked about above, there isn’t anybody just like O’Hearn left on the free agent market. Luis Arraez is a lefty who may signal for one thing just like O’Hearn’s deal, however he’s a very completely different kind of hitter.

Marlins Signal Pete Fairbanks for One 12 months, $13 Million

Impact on the Marlins

The Marlins had reported curiosity in Fairbanks effectively earlier than it was identified (publicly, a minimum of) that breakout reliever Ronny Henriquez would miss the whole thing of subsequent season after present process UCL restore. However the lack of the workforce’s finest reliever this yr acutely raised the necessity for a lockdown arm and maybe induced them to lift their supply to maintain the previous Ray in Florida.

Fairbanks wasn’t as dominant in 2025 as he has been in years previous, however he did set a brand new profession excessive in innings pitched, no small feat for a man who’s missed time with nerve irritation, hip irritation, and a lat tear, to not point out recurring Raynaud’s syndrome, which impacts his capability to grip the ball in colder climate. He’ll be the Marlins’ first true nearer since Tanner Scott, with Calvin Faucher — the closest factor the membership has needed to a more in-depth since Scott was moved to the Padres — establishing for Fairbanks.

Impact on Different Groups

When you wished a more in-depth on the free agent market, you’re all out of luck, as Fairbanks was the final true nearer standing. Edwin Díaz, Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, Emilio Pagán, Raisel Iglesias, Kyle Finnegan, and Kenley Jansen be a part of Fairbanks as relievers who will function a minimum of a part of a closing committee in 2026, to not point out large offers for Tyler Rogers, Brad Keller, and Luke Weaver.

Perhaps a workforce will wish to take the danger of giving Seranthony Domínguez (wildness) or Michael Kopech (missed most of this yr as a consequence of damage) a job, however the commerce market is the likelier place to discover a nearer proper now. Probably obtainable high-leverage arms embody Mason Miller and Trevor Megill.

Impact on Related Gamers

With no different apparent closers left in free company, the one manner Fairbanks’ signing will have an effect on the relievers nonetheless available on the market is by giving them a bit extra leverage with groups which are determined.

Orioles Signal Zach Eflin for One 12 months, $10 Million

Impact on the Orioles

On the floor, a significant league deal for a starter would seem to finish the Orioles rotation, with Eflin returning to the membership to affix Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, and Shane Baz. However with Eflin present process a microdiscectomy on his again in August, he’s questionable for Opening Day; the unique timetable quoted was 4 to eight months, and the total eight months would have Eflin returning in mid-April.

Plus, it is a workforce that’s clearly all-in on successful in 2026, and whereas the rotation definitely appears a lot improved after the addition of Baz and the reunion with Eflin, there’s nothing stopping the Orioles from including yet one more starter to take a spot if Eflin is out to begin the yr. They may then transfer Kremer to the bullpen when Eflin is prepared, assuming Eflin returns to a totally wholesome squad. Eflin’s signing can be prone to push Tyler Wells to the bullpen early within the season if not on Opening Day; that’s a task he’s stuffed very effectively up to now.

Impact on Different Groups

The one different workforce with reported curiosity in Eflin was the Rays, who traded Eflin to the Orioles on the commerce deadline in 2024. That curiosity was reported earlier than they signed Steven Matz and traded Baz to Baltimore, so they may nonetheless add one other starter. The Rays would additionally wish to deliver Zack Littell again, one other arm they traded away. Coming off a full season, although, he might require a number of years or extra money on a one-year pact than the Rays are keen to commit.

Impact on Related Gamers

We haven’t seen loads of one-year offers given to buy-low starters this offseason, however with Eflin’s $10 million following Dustin Could’s $12.5 million, we’ve a minimum of obtained a few knowledge factors for the contracts of different starters coming off robust and/or disjointed seasons. Different arms in that broad class embody Germán Márquez, Walker Buehler, Aaron Civale, Tyler Anderson, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Martín Pérez.

Speedy-Fireplace One-12 months Offers

Mariners Signal Rob Refsnyder for $6.25 Million

Previously a well-regarded Yankees prospect, Refsnyder resurrected his profession in Boston in 2022, his age-31 season. He has confirmed to be extraordinarily helpful over the past 4 seasons as a lefty-mashing outfielder/DH; in that quadrennium spanning 501 plate appearances towards southpaws, Refsnyder hit .312/.407/.516 (155 wRC+) and mashed 19 homers.

It’s value noting that in saying the Refsnyder signing, the Mariners referred to him as an “outfielder/first baseman,” implying that he may spell Josh Naylor some towards lefties regardless of solely having 227 profession innings at first, and none since 2020. A extra pure platoon associate is outfielder Dominic Canzone, who broke out with a 141 wRC+ in 268 plate appearances this yr. His wRC+ was a good 113 in 68 plate appearances towards left-handers, however he’s no Refsnyder.

Cubs Signal Hunter Harvey for $6 Million and Jacob Webb for $1.5 Million

Harvey has been a tantalizing arm ever for the reason that Orioles drafted him twenty second general in 2013, however accidents prevented him from debuting within the large leagues till 2019, and he didn’t have his first prolonged run within the majors till 2022, his age-27 season. Harvey’s all the time proven good things when wholesome, particularly in 2025. The flame-throwing righty threw 10.2 scoreless innings earlier than his season was lower brief by teres main and adductor accidents, placing a damper on his stroll yr. The Cubs would be the fourth workforce to roll the cube on making an attempt to maintain him wholesome.

As for Webb, all he is aware of tips on how to do is stop runs at a fee higher than his FIP suggests he should, get non-tendered, signal an affordable contract, after which do it another time. The righty was non-tendered by the Orioles after posting a 3.02 ERA (however a 3.52 FIP) in 2024, and once more by the Rangers after a 3.00 ERA (however a 4.30 FIP) this yr. That continues a career-long pattern of Webb beating his FIP; his profession ERA is a glowing 2.99 regardless of a middling 4.07 FIP.

Webb and Harvey be a part of a new-look Cubs bullpen that has misplaced Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz, however has added Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Harvey, and Webb.

White Signal Sean Newcomb for $4.5 Million

A former high prospect, Newcomb had his finest season since 2018, splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen whereas pitching for the Crimson Sox and the Athletics. His stroll fee, which has lengthy been his bugaboo, was at its profession nadir in 2025, the primary time it was higher than league common. Shane Smith and Anthony Kay must be assured two of the 5 rotation spots, with Newcomb becoming a member of Davis Martin, Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, and others in jockeying for the ultimate three. If he loses out, he must be the go-to lefty within the White Sox bullpen.

Yankees Signal Paul Blackburn for $2 Million

The Yankees are taking a low-cost flier on Blackburn, the previous All-Star starter who began to include some pitch combine modifications (extra cutters and sinkers, fewer sliders and curveballs) as soon as he switched sides within the Subway Sequence rivalry in August. With Carlos Rodón lacking the beginning of 2026 after bone spur elimination, Blackburn will compete with Ryan Yarbrough for the fifth starter spot, with the loser heading to the bullpen.

Reds Signal JJ Bleday for $1.4 Million

Bleday was the fourth general decide by the Marlins within the 2019 draft earlier than being traded for A.J. Puk in 2023, and seemed to have damaged out in 2024. His 120 wRC+ and three.2 WAR made him appear like a key a part of the A’s core as they moved to Sacramento, however he fell flat in 2025. His 90 wRC+ and Tyler Soderstrom’s transfer to the outfield knocked Bleday down on the depth chart, resulting in his non-tender.

Cincy presents Bleday with park to hit in and an open outfield competitors, with Gavin Lux, Noelvi Marte, and Will Benson additionally vying for vital enjoying time subsequent to heart fielder TJ Friedl. Bleday might be optioned to the minors if there aren’t sufficient plate appearances for him, and he’s underneath workforce management by means of 2028.

Trades

Crimson Sox Purchase Willson Contreras from Cardinals for Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita

Impact on the Crimson Sox

Very similar to the town of Boston itself, the Crimson Sox lineup leaned closely to the left when the offseason began, headlined by Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, and Wilyer Abreu. Trevor Story and Carlos Narváez swing proper, however they have been extra helpful than they have been tremendous impactful on the plate this yr, leaving a conspicuous want for a thumper from the fitting facet with Alex Bregman having hit free company. Enter Contreras, whose acquisition shouldn’t have an effect on the workforce’s pursuit of re-signing Bregman however will definitely lower into the influence that Triston Casas, who’s coming off simply 92 whole video games between 2024 and 2025 due to a pair of great accidents, is prone to have subsequent yr.

In Contreras, the Crimson Sox are getting a invaluable participant on either side of the ball. Shifting from behind the plate to first base allowed Contreras to set a brand new career-high in plate appearances, and he was much better at first base than he’d ever been as a catcher. In his age-33 season, he confirmed no indicators of slowing down, setting profession highs in his barrel and hard-hit charges, and offering reliable thump that ought to enable Alex Cora to separate up the lefties on the high of the lineup — in the event that they maintain all of the lefties, that’s.

Commerce rumors have swirled round Duran and Abreu all winter. Gold Glovers Rafaela and Abreu ought to begin in heart and proper subject, respectively, which leaves left subject and DH for Duran and Anthony. That, in flip, creates a clumsy scenario for the lefty-hitting Masataka Yoshida, who would fill the unenviable position of “bench DH” if the season began immediately. However because it doesn’t, it stands to purpose that Boston will look to maneuver an outfielder earlier than the season begins, assuming Yoshida himself is actually untradeable. Shifting Duran or Abreu would restock a farm system that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has depleted over the course of the offseason, whereas additionally intensifying the necessity for an additional hitter like Bregman.

Impact on the Cardinals

The Cardinals’ selloff is now absolutely underneath manner, with Contreras becoming a member of Sonny Grey in Boston, they usually seemingly gained’t be the final gamers shipped out of the Gateway to the West earlier than spring coaching.

Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero have all had their names come up in commerce rumors this offseason, and whereas solely Arenado is nearly assured of beginning the season elsewhere a method or one other, the truth that the chatter retains percolating indicators one factor: Chaim Bloom is open for enterprise in his first offseason main the Cardinals’ entrance workplace.

That Bloom has prioritized pitching in each the Grey and Contreras trades offers a sign of the place he feels the system is, even after drafting southpaw Liam Doyle within the first spherical this yr. JJ Wetherholt is the blue-chipper of the group and could possibly be patrolling second or third base (relying on who else will get traded) early on in 2026, and Jimmy Crooks may get some run behind the plate with Iván Herrera spending increasingly more time at DH. In bringing in Dobbins and Richard Fitts, two arms who ought to assist in 2026, in addition to two further-away, higher-upside arms in Fajardo and Brandon Clarke, the pitching pipeline is in significantly better form in St. Louis, in each the current and the longer term.

Athletics Purchase Jeff McNeil and money from Mets for Yordan Rodriguez

Impact on the Athletics

Whereas the pitching employees is sorely in want of reinforcements past Mark Leiter Jr. (no offense to Mark, they only want loads of pitching!), the A’s first large transfer of the offseason was to accumulate McNeil to be their beginning second baseman after eight seasons in Queens.

The 33-year-old’s output has taken many varieties, from hitting for prime averages with out a lot energy to hitting for decrease averages with a little bit extra pop, with one magical yr (2019) through which he hit for each common and pop. After two below-average seasons, McNeil rebounded in 2025 with a career-high stroll fee whereas bouncing across the diamond, spending most of his time at second base but additionally seeing prolonged time in heart and left subject. Whereas he’s ostensibly the beginning second baseman, that flexibility might be useful to the A’s late in video games or off the bench in video games he isn’t beginning.

Impact on the Mets

As Baumann so cleverly put it in his write-up’s headline, the Metsodus continues. The Mets are completely trying to contend in 2026 behind stars Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, simply with a roster that has nearly fully turned over from these in years previous.

The offense has seen the most important reshaping to this point, with McNeil, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo gone from the nucleus of this yr’s membership, changed (up to now) by Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco. Because the roster at the moment stands, high prospect Carson Benge seems prone to earn vital enjoying time at or close to the outset of 2026. However as you may see on the Matrix, the Mets have been linked to Cody Bellinger, who would lower into — however not remove, due to Bellinger’s versatility — Benge’s possibilities of making the Opening Day roster if he have been to be signed.

You possibly can learn extra of Eric Longenhagen’s scouting report on Rodriguez in Baumann’s write-up, however to summarize, whereas he’s definitely not very highly-regarded, he’s not a complete non-prospect, both. The Mets kicking in $5.75 million (plus paying McNeil’s buyout if his 2027 possibility is declined) allowed them to get an intriguing arm again within the deal.

Reds Purchase Dane Myers from Marlins for Ethan O’Donnell

Impact on the Reds

The Reds have been busy buying outfielders on Saturday, signing Bleday and buying and selling for Myers. Like Bleday, Myers is a yr faraway from performing effectively with the bat. A former pitcher within the minors, Myers’ finest trait is his throwing arm, and he covers loads of floor within the outfield, too. Myers has one possibility yr remaining, and if he makes the roster, he figures to spell Bleday towards lefties. He isn’t a free agent till the conclusion of the 2029 season on the earliest.

Impact on the Marlins

O’Donnell was under common in his first style of Double-A and doesn’t seem like greater than minor league depth for the Marlins. Tremendous-utilityman Javier Sanoja can cowl in heart subject when Jakob Marsee is off.