Matrix Reloaded: February 13, 2026

Spring (coaching) has sprung, and with it comes one other chock-full-of-transactions Matrix Reloaded. I’ll maintain the weekly roundups going so long as the transaction gods give me issues to put in writing about, however the free agent market is all however fully picked over now. As all the time, abstract statistics could be discovered on the backside of the Matrix.

A Panoply of Major Pitchers

With so many beginning pitchers signing up to now week, I’ll construction this opening part a little bit in a different way than traditional, going over every pitcher/staff combo in a vacuum after which rounding up which groups might nonetheless use starters and who’s left to be signed.

Orioles Signal Chris Bassitt for One 12 months, $18.5 Million

In my head, the Orioles went from being “the staff likeliest to signal Framber Valdez” to “properly, perhaps they’re content material with their rotation choices as a result of I’m undecided there’s a sufficiently big improve left now” to “properly, how do they kind this all out with Bassitt?” No one deserves to get bumped from the rotation if the sextet of Bassitt, Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Zach Eflin, and Dean Kremer all make it out of spring coaching wholesome, so it’s no shock {that a} six-man rotation is on the desk.

Whereas Bassitt is not any Valdez, I perceive eager to have a man like him round. He’s sturdy and is mainly the identical pitcher he’s all the time been, and the Orioles have extra harm issues than your typical rotation. Eflin is coming off again surgical procedure, and though he’s a full go in spring coaching, you by no means know the way he’ll reply to recreation motion; Bradish is in his first full season after Tommy John; Rogers has made simply 47 begins the final three years; and Baz has an in depth harm historical past his personal. If everybody settles in, there’s a little bit of logjam even past the six, although. Tyler Wells has already been relegated to the bullpen (although he’s staying stretched out in camp), and there isn’t a transparent path for Cade Povich or high pitching prospect Trey Gibson to get out of Triple-A. Whereas Bassitt’s signing might depart these three within the lurch, these are the forms of issues that good groups wish to have, and Bassitt’s solely round for a 12 months. Rogers and Eflin are each set to hit free company after the season as properly, so it’s not as if youthful arms haven’t any place with the large membership.

Rays Signal Nick Martinez for One 12 months, $13 Million

Martinez accepted the Reds’ $21.05 million qualifying provide final offseason and responded with profession bests in innings (165.2) and video games began (26), although he took an enormous step again when it comes to his run prevention, strikeout, and stroll numbers in comparison with 2024. Whereas his ERA was higher as a reliever, his efficiency was finally fairly comparable: His 26 begins produced a 4.32 FIP, with a 4.39 in his 14 aid appearances. Unsurprisingly contemplating the extent of funding, the Rays are counting him as a member of the rotation coming into camp, although that clearly doesn’t preclude them from transferring him to the bullpen at a later level, because the Reds did final 12 months.

Martinez will be a part of Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot as particular rotation arms, with Steven Matz (signed to a two-year, $15 million deal earlier this offseason) figuring to have a leg up for a job, too. The true wild card is Shane McClanahan, who missed the final two seasons. If he’s not prepared fairly but, or if the Rays need to slow-play his return, they’ve bought Joe Boyle, Joe Rock, and Ian Seymour on the 40-man.

Tigers Signal Justin Verlander for One 12 months, $13 Million ($11 Million Deferred)

It didn’t appear as if the Tigers could be available in the market for one more beginning pitcher after signing Framber Valdez to a three-year megadeal, however the information of Verlander’s house coming was shortly adopted by phrase that Reese Olson would endure shoulder surgical procedure and miss your entire season.

It was a story of two halves, however JV quietly ended up posting a robust season with the Giants, though he didn’t earn his first win till July 23. His fastball was truly tougher in 2025 than 2024, averaging just below 94 mph, and he threw his slider greater than ever. Now in his age-43 season, he’s 34 wins shy of 300 and is working out of time to get to that unbelievable milestone, although if he retains pitching like he did final 12 months, he would possibly simply maintain going. The Tigers rotation now appears to be like full, with Tarik Skubal, Valdez, Verlander, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize. Drew Anderson, a $7 million signee this offseason, ought to work out of the bullpen as an extended man, and Troy Melton and Keider Montero are necessary depth items.

Rockies Signal Jose Quintana ($6 Million) and Tomoyuki Sugano ($5.1 Million) to One-12 months Contracts

The reshaping of the Rockies rotation with veterans on one-year offers is full, with Quintana and Sugano becoming a member of Michael Lorenzen ($8 million) behind longtime no. 1 starter Kyle Freeland. Chase Dollander will most likely be the fifth starter, although Ryan Feltner and Tanner Gordon are additionally within the combine. Quintana (131.2 innings) pitched lower than Sugano (157) final 12 months, however was fairly a bit higher when he was on the mound when it comes to ERA, xERA, and FIP. Neither of those two (or Lorenzen, for that matter) would say so out loud, however they’re seemingly attempting to pitch themselves out of Colorado and onto a brand new staff by the commerce deadline.

Athletics Signal Aaron Civale for One 12 months, $6 Million

Civale bounced from the Brewers to the White Sox to the Cubs final 12 months, whereas additionally bouncing between the rotation and bullpen. All in all, he had a 4.62 FIP in 18 begins and a 4.67 FIP in 5 aid appearances spanning eight innings; he additionally turned in a scoreless, 13-out aid outing within the playoffs. In Sacramento, the fly ball-heavy righty is met with a troublesome ballpark match however an assured rotation spot behind Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs. Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales, who each skilled mini breakouts in 2025, determine to have one of the best odds of grabbing the ultimate two spots, however Luis Medina, Gunnar Hoglund, Mason Barnett, and Braden Nett even have an opportunity. High pitching prospect Gage Soar might debut this 12 months, and final 12 months’s first spherical decide, Jamie Arnold, might transfer shortly as properly.

Marlins Signal Chris Paddack for One 12 months, $4 Million

Paddack had the healthiest season of his main league profession, coming simply 4 innings shy of qualifying for the ERA title between the Tigers and Twins. Sadly, the elevated quantity got here with decreased manufacturing. His ERA, FIP, and strikeout price have been all profession worsts, although he maintained the low stroll price that’s been an indicator of his profession so far. Paddack, Sandy Alcantara, and Eury Pérez have three spots within the rotation, with the ultimate two spots most probably going to 2 of Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Janson Junk. High prospects Thomas White and Robby Snelling might debut this 12 months as properly.

Nationals Signal Miles Mikolas for One 12 months, $2.25 Million

After buying and selling MacKenzie Gore to the Rangers, the Nationals finalized a cope with Mikolas, who if nothing else has been extraordinarily sturdy the previous 4 years; he’s made at the least 31 begins every season. For such a low assure, he isn’t essentially going to carry on to a rotation spot for the entire 12 months (it’s price noting that he has incentives that cowl aid outings, too), however he’ll start as a key stabilizing pressure in a rotation with a bunch of query marks. Foster Griffin is the opposite lock for the rotation, and Cade Cavalli ought to be shut to at least one. The alternatives for the final two spots embrace Josiah Grey, Jake Irvin, Brad Lord, Andrew Alvarez, Mitchell Parker, Ken Waldichuk, Jake Eder, and Luis Perales.

White Sox Signal Erick Fedde for One 12 months, $1.5 Million

Fedde is seeking to recapture the magic he had with the White Sox in 2024 earlier than being traded to the Cardinals at that 12 months’s deadline. Final 12 months was cut up between the Cardinals, Braves, and Brewers, and Fedde failed to succeed in substitute stage. For such a small dedication, he most likely isn’t assured a rotation spot, so we will throw him within the pile of arms competing for jobs after Shane Smith and Anthony Kay.

Rangers Signal Jordan Montgomery for One 12 months, $1.2 Million

Montgomery underwent Tommy John surgical procedure on the tail finish of spring coaching final 12 months, so he most likely received’t be again within the majors till Might on the absolute earliest. However upon his return, he might have an effect just like 2025 Patrick Corbin, who signed a modest cope with the Rangers simply earlier than final season began and ended up being a key innings-eater all year long.

Who Nonetheless Wants Starters?

Wanting on the worst-projected rotations is an efficient technique to begin answering this query, although it’s removed from good. On the very backside, the Rockies, Nationals, White Sox, and Cardinals have most likely already addressed their rotations satisfactorily sufficient, contemplating that they’re not likely attempting to win and wish to avoid wasting innings for younger gamers, tough as these innings could also be. However each staff above them is at the least ostensibly attempting to contend.

Of these contenders, a couple of bounce out at me:

The Padres have a robust entrance three of Michael King, Nick Pivetta, and Joe Musgrove, however the last two spots within the rotation are large query marks.
The Diamondbacks’ beginning 5 appears to be like settled, however there’s little depth past them.
The Cubs even have a set fivesome, however you’ll see on the Matrix that they’re concerned about Zac Gallen, so I’m keeping track of them for him particularly.
The Braves mission properly due to Chris Sale, however they only misplaced Spencer Schwellenbach for at the least two months.

Which Starters Are Left?

Gallen is the clear headliner right here. He’s the one remaining free agent who acquired a qualifying provide, which is definitely complicating his market. Gallen pitched like somebody who would most likely signal for a one-year pillow contract, or at the least a contract providing him the chance to decide out after the primary 12 months. But when you must hand over a draft decide to signal the right-hander, why danger him leaving after a 12 months? One thing like Framber Valdez’s contract construction (for manner, manner much less cash) might work, although, giving Gallen the prospect to hit the market once more in two years as he enters his age-32 season.

Past Gallen, the one two starters I’m 100% sure will get massive league offers earlier than Opening Day are Lucas Giolito and Zack Littell. Each of them have been rock-solid in 2025, and Giolito was considered as a risk to obtain a QO himself. Max Scherzer ought to get one on popularity alone, however he could wait to signal till the season begins. Griffin Canning, Patrick Corbin, Tyler Anderson, Germán Márquez, and Walker Buehler might all discover assured work, too.

A Vital Swinger Signing

Pirates Signal Marcell Ozuna for One 12 months, $12 Million

Impact on the Pirates

When the Pirates completed in second place for Eugenio Suárez a couple of weeks in the past, I wrote that the staff nonetheless wanted righty energy, however that Ozuna could be an inelegant match regardless of the Buccos’ curiosity. Properly, the Ozuna signing has come to go, and the largest query isn’t whether or not he will probably be extra like 2024 or 2025 Ozuna, however how they’ll align their protection now that they’ve a full-time DH. That was the puzzle that I needed to clear up on Monday morning after I up to date the RosterResource web page. I’m not notably happy with the place we ended up, and I don’t even have to put in writing out the lineup card!

To be clear, Ozuna’s middle-of-the-order pop and plate self-discipline are each good to have; the Pirates’ projected lineup actually does look notably higher, so long as you don’t have a look at the place column. When Ozuna’s within the lineup, which ought to be nearly on a regular basis, the Pirates will both must have a primary baseman within the outfield (Ryan O’Hearn) or a primary baseman elsewhere on the infield (Spencer Horwitz at second or third). With the deal not but official, it’s unclear precisely what the plan is, and it might get muddier if the Pirates go on so as to add one other bat. For instance, they might nonetheless slot in a brand new third baseman and make Gold Glover Jared Triolo a backup infielder.

Impact on Different Groups

It’s not identified which different groups particularly had curiosity in Ozuna, however the free agent market is nearly fully bereft of energy bats now; Rhys Hoskins is mainly it. The commerce market has extra choices: The Astros are dangling Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker; Spencer Steer is now a super-utilityman in Cincinnati, however might begin elsewhere; and the Purple Sox nonetheless have one too many outfielders, although a commerce there isn’t in any respect a given.

Impact on Comparable Gamers

With Ozuna signed, no person related is left and I’m not anticipating an eight-figure place participant deal the remainder of the offseason.

Fast-Fireplace One-12 months Offers

Dodgers Signal Evan Phillips for $6.5 Million

The Dodgers’ former nearer will miss concerning the first half of the season in his restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure, however he nonetheless secured the next assure than the $6.1 million MLBTradeRumors projected he would earn earlier than his non-tender. To me, that claims the Dodgers merely didn’t need to commit a 40-man spot to Phillips at that early stage of the offseason; the non-tender was extra logistical than it was monetary. With the 60-day IL again in play now that pitchers and catchers have reported, Phillips has been moved there to make room for Enrique Hernández. When wholesome, Phillips will be a part of Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, and Alex Vesia as the highest back-end choices within the Los Angeles ‘pen.

Dodgers Signal Enrique Hernández for $4.5 Million

Like Phillips, Hernández will miss a part of the season due to an elbow harm; he went underneath the knife final November and possibly received’t be again till June. As soon as he’s again, he’ll occupy his traditional Swiss Military Knife position throughout the diamond. Final 12 months, he performed 28 video games at first base, 27 at third, 23 in left, 18 at second, and eight in middle.

Yankees Signal Paul Goldschmidt for $4 Million

Goldschmidt signed for $12.5 million final offseason to be the Yankees’ beginning first baseman, however he ended up dropping that job to Ben Rice by the top of the season. He’s again for lower than a 3rd of the cash to fill a way more area of interest position as Rice’s platoon accomplice, and it stays to be seen how inflexible a platoon it will likely be; Rice was above-average towards lefties final 12 months, albeit in restricted motion.

Goldy was nice towards southpaws in 2025, with a 169 wRC+, however he tailed off towards them because the season went on: From June 1 to the top of the season, his wRC+ towards lefties was 87. If that sample holds and Rice continues to point out properly sufficient even with out the platoon benefit, Goldschmidt could also be restricted to even much less enjoying time.

Athletics Signal Scott Barlow for $2 Million

A couple of days earlier than signing Civale, the A’s added Barlow to their bullpen; he’s their second addition there, together with Mark Leiter Jr. If nothing else, Barlow and his flowing locks are all the time prepared, prepared, and capable of pitch. His look totals since 2019: 61, 32 (out of 60 video games!), 71, 69, 63, 63, and a career-best 75 in 2025, his lone season with the Reds. He’s within the combine to earn saves, together with Leiter, Hogan Harris, and Justin Sterner.

Brewers Signal Gary Sánchez for $1.75 Million

Sánchez was ravaged by accidents in 2025, limiting him to only 30 video games. He’ll look to bounce again in a well-known spot; he was William Contreras’ backup in Milwaukee in 2023. The times of El Kraken are most likely lengthy gone, however he’s nonetheless bought pop. Sánchez was horrid behind the plate final 12 months (-8 DRS, -5 FRV in simply 175.1 innings again there), however a few of his missed time was as a result of wrist irritation, and it’s not arduous to see how that would’ve affected his fielding.

Diamondbacks Signal Paul Sewald for $1.5 Million

Sewald couldn’t keep wholesome final 12 months, with simply 19.2 innings between the Guardians and Tigers after departing Arizona for Cleveland in free company. Now 35, he’ll look to recapture his 2021-24 kind, when he posted a 3.18 ERA, a 3.58 FIP, and 81 saves. The Snakes are with no clear nearer, and Sewald has pretty much as good an opportunity as any to win the job out of camp.

Marlins Signal John King for $1.5 Million

Regardless of a below-replacement-level displaying in 2025, the funky lefty was capable of safe a fully-guaranteed main league deal. King could be optioned so long as he’s underneath 5 years of service time (he’s 24 days shy of reaching that milestone), so he’s not essentially going to be on the Opening Day roster regardless of the seven-figure dedication. He’ll compete for a task behind nearer Pete Fairbanks and high setup males Calvin Faucher, Tyler Phillips, and Anthony Bender.

Angels Signal Brent Suter for $1.25 Million

Suter might be the ultimate piece of a rebuilt Angels bullpen that has added an array of latest faces on one-year offers: Kirby Yates signed for $5 million, Drew Pomeranz $4 million, and Jordan Romano $2 million. The soft-tossing, fast-working Suter will be a part of that trio together with Robert Stephenson as locks for 5 of the eight bullpen spots in a gaggle that’s eagerly awaiting the flame-throwing Ben Joyce’s return from labrum surgical procedure. Ryan Zeferjahn and the out-of-options Chase Silseth determine to think about as properly.

Braves Signal Jonah Heim for $1.25 Million

Heim will fill in for Sean Murphy as Drake Baldwin’s backup whereas Murphy is out till Might recovering from hip surgical procedure. Whereas the Braves would certainly like to catch lightning in a bottle and recapture Heim’s 2022-23 kind, they’re in want of a reliable backup greater than something. They received’t hesitate to DFA him upon Murphy’s return.

Trades

Purple Sox Purchase Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler, and 2026 Aggressive Steadiness Spherical B draft decide from Brewers for Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan

Impact on the Purple Sox

This may’t be how the Purple Sox or their followers envisioned shoring up their infield combine at first of the offseason. However that doesn’t imply that Durbin — who will begin at third and/or second base after largely enjoying the recent nook in Milwaukee — isn’t an excellent get at this stage of the offseason.

The diminutive Durbin (I do know, I do know, I’m one to speak — he nonetheless has three inches on me) completed third in NL Rookie of the 12 months balloting in his solely season with the Brewers after being acquired from the Yankees within the Devin Williams commerce. His attraction is that he’s fairly darn good at the whole lot. He popped 11 homers whereas putting out underneath 10% of the time, and whereas he didn’t stroll a lot, he bought hit by 24 (!) pitches, equating to reaching base by free go (BB or HBP) 4 extra instances than he went down on strikes. He was a run above common by FRV and 5 by DRS when enjoying third, and he stole 18 bases in 24 tries. All in all, there’s nothing flashy about him but additionally nothing he does badly, plus his acquisition permits Isiah Kiner-Falefa to maneuver into the superutility position for which he’s better-suited. Durbin was up simply late sufficient to overlook out on a full 12 months of service time, so he is usually a Purple Sox for as many as six seasons.

If the Purple Sox want extra third base protection all year long, that’s the place Seigler and Monasterio are available in. Seigler was as soon as a switch-hitting and sometimes-switch-throwing catcher who’s now primarily a 3rd baseman, however he can play throughout and bought into his first massive league motion final 12 months. He struggled in 73 plate appearances however tore up Triple-A, with a 143 wRC+ in 307 journeys to the plate. As for Monasterio, he had his finest displaying with the large membership final 12 months (111 wRC+ in 135 plate appearances) and has expertise in any respect 4 infield spots.

Impact on the Brewers

Probably the most urgent query for the Brewers after making this commerce is: Who the heck performs third base for them now? I can’t recall a staff buying and selling away a whole place from its depth chart in a single transfer, however that’s precisely what Milwaukee did. It doesn’t sound as if the staff goes to alter up its Joey Ortiz–Brice Turang center infield, both. So then who? The speedy Hamilton might properly think about at third regardless of scant expertise on the place as a professional (simply 1.1 innings there final 12 months), and maybe Jett Williams will get a tryout there. Tyler Black remains to be on the 40-man. However probably the most seamless match is Isaac Paredes; the Brewers have expressed curiosity, although there’s nothing imminent at this level. Such a transfer would make Williams’ path to the majors sooner or later this 12 months narrower, nevertheless it’s not as if Ortiz has a really regular maintain on his beginning job and Williams can play middle, too.

To not be neglected on this commerce is the Brewers’ acquisition of Harrison. His velocity has been up and down since debuting within the majors with the Giants in 2023, and so too has his efficiency and spot on the depth chart. He went from our no. 24 total prospect upon his commencement in 2024 to being included within the Rafael Devers wage dump in 2025, however he’s nonetheless simply 24 years previous and the Brewers clearly see a path to serving to him be extra constant in the event that they’re buying and selling six years of Durbin for him. He’s bought a little bit of an uphill climb for a rotation spot, nevertheless it’s not insurmountable if he reveals out this spring, and the Brewers are by no means afraid to faucet into their depth throughout the season. Drohan, who not too long ago spoke with our David Laurila, might additionally contribute for the large membership sooner or later in 2026, as he’s coming off a superb (if injury-limited) 2025 throughout which he struck out 34.5% of opponents in 54 innings. He’s additional down the beginning pitching depth chart than Harrison however might do good work as a multi-inning aid weapon à la DL Corridor or Aaron Ashby.

Blue Jays Purchase Jesús Sánchez from Astros for Joey Loperfido

Impact on the Blue Jays

The primary day of spring coaching is an enormous day for studying about accidents, and the Blue Jays have been no exception. The staff has misplaced Bowden Francis to elbow surgical procedure, Shane Bieber to forearm fatigue (he’ll be again a couple of weeks into the season, hopefully), and Anthony Santander to shoulder labrum surgical procedure. Santander’s harm created a gap for a power-hitting outfielder in Toronto’s lineup, one which’s now crammed by Sánchez.

Sánchez’s uncooked pop is fairly ridiculous (behold this 496-foot bomb at Coors), nevertheless it’s not one thing he’s been capable of constantly get to in video games; his profession excessive in homers is simply 18, and he hit simply 14 final 12 months. However whereas his wRC+ dipped to 93 final season, his strikeout price was a career-best 22%, so it wasn’t all unhealthy.

One factor Sánchez has by no means been capable of do is hit lefties (33 wRC+ in 2025, 41 for his profession), so he figures to be in a fairly inflexible platoon with Davis Schneider in left subject, protecting Addison Barger’s cannon arm in proper. George Springer might play some outfield however will nonetheless largely DH, and Daulton Varsho will probably be in middle. That leaves Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw as bench outfielders, and the staff could solely be capable of roster one of many two.

Impact on the Astros

Sánchez appeared like a non-tender candidate again in November, so it isn’t shocking that the Astros shaved his $6.8 million off the payroll. That 93 wRC+ he posted final season included a 71 mark after being acquired by Houston on the commerce deadline, in spite of everything. In Loperfido, the staff is bringing again a well-known face — he was initially an Astro and was traded to the Blue Jays for Yusei Kikuchi two commerce deadlines in the past — who comes with 5 years of management as an alternative of Sánchez’s two. Loperfido’s wage will barely be above the league minimal this 12 months, if he even makes the key league roster in any respect.

The staff’s crowded infield has been well-documented, however the Astros even have choices to make within the outfield even with Loperfido being a extra versatile piece than Sánchez since he could be optioned to the minors. Solely middle fielder Jake Meyers positively has a roster spot, although not essentially a beginning one. Loperfido will probably be preventing for time together with energy hitter Zach Cole, sophomore Cam Smith, and high prospect Brice Matthews (an infielder by commerce who will get some work in middle this spring). Yordan Alvarez will DH nearly solely however might nonetheless sometimes play left subject, and the identical goes for second baseman Jose Altuve.