Sean Rodriguez to sign with Braves

Sean Rodriguez has agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Braves, cashing in after a terrific .270/.349/.510 season with the Pirates in 2016. His new contract is pretty close to the two-year, $10 million deal I predicted for him back in September.

The Pirates reportedly had interest in bringing Rodriguez back, but it appears they'll have to give his bench job to someone else. I don't know whether Adam Frazier could win a fight against a water cooler, but he otherwise looks like a good candidate to step into the Rodriguez super-utility role -- he appeared at five positions for the Bucs last season (second, third and all three outfield spots), and he could conceivably stand at shortstop in a pinch.

As things stand, then, and assuming Josh Bell is the Pirates' primary first baseman next year, the Bucs' bench currently looks something like Frazier, Chris Stewart, John Jaso, David Freese and perhaps Alen Hanson, who can play the middle infield and who's out of options. The Pirates could, of course, do some tinkering before the start of camp.