TRADE: Clovers Land Ober for 3rd Round Pick

The Cloverdale Clovers took a pair of hits in the last week as TJ Friedl (wrist) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) both were knocked out of their Keeper Roster plans for 2024. GM Chris Shelley pivoted Monday morning, landing right-hander Bailey Ober (2FA/$5) from the Honolulu Hammerheads for a 2024 3rd Round Pick (32nd Overall).

Ober will now slot behind Tyler Glasnow and fellow Minnesota Twins hurler Joe Ryan.

Ober had a strong season that has him set to be a vital part of Minnesota's 2024 rotation. Ober began the season in the minors as the odd man out in a six-man rotation and got some spot starts in April before joining the rotation in May. He was sent down briefly in August to manage his workload, but finished strong with a 2.08 ERA over his last four starts (though he was hit hard in his lone playoff outing by giving up six runs in a loss). Ober doesn't have an overpowering fastball (91.4 mph average), but it's offset by his outstanding control (5% BB%) and above average off-speed pitches (slider, curve ball, change-up). His changeup became a lethal weapon by allowing just a .268 wOBA and helped lead to an overall 14.5% swinging K%. After throwing 144.1 innings, Ober shouldn't face any limitations on workload after staying healthy after struggling through injuries his first two major league seasons.

Of note, only 17 pitchers in the major leagues threw 140 or more innings with an ERA+ of 125 or better in 2023. Ober was one of them.

The Heads now hold a selections in the first and third rounds after entering the off-season without a selection until the 5th. GM Ross Horiuchi's move likely creates room for both Arizona Diamondbacks right-handers Brandon Pfaadt (Minors) and Ryne Nelson (2R/$3) to make the rotation behind Chris Sale, Tanner Bibee and Kutter Crawford with Chase Silseth (2FA/$5) remaining in the mix as well.

TRADE: Maulers, Oppo Tacos Complete Blockbuster Deal

The San Mateo Oppo Tacos and Mission Viejo Maulers completed a long-awaited deal Wednesday evening in a blockbuster five-player move. The Tacos will acquire 3B Alex Bregman (3/$36), IF Ha-Seong Kim (3/$1) as well as 2024 1st and 2nd Round Picks (5th and 29th Overall). In exchange, the Maulers will acquire third baseman Josh Jung (2R/$3), outfielder Adolis Garcia (3D/$15) and prospect Spencer Jones (Minors).

The move continues the impressive overhaul of the Oppo Tacos roster by GM Erik Nielsen who has rebuilt the club's Farm System and freed up considerable cap space. Nielsen's off-season additions now include Bregman, Kim, Ryan McMahon and Tyler Wells at the big league level with Adael Amador, James Wood and Sammy Zavala in the Minors. Entering the off-season without a pick in the first round, the Tacos will now select three times in the opening round and twice in the 2nd Round.

The Maulers were facing a cap squeeze which forced Bregman onto the market early in the off-season. Gerrit Cole's recent injury opened the door to add to their Keeper Roster with Jung an early target. The addition of Garcia further bolsters a talented and affordable outfield for GM Chris Ferraro.

Spring Training Notebook: Time Running Out for Snell, Montgomery

The Lake Merced Goutfish and Lunatic Fringe are running out of patience as negotiations linger on for Blake Snell (3/$10) and Jordan Montgomery (2/$20).  Both entered the off-season as clear Keepers for their respective clubs, but with time running out before the end of Spring Training and the duo remaining unsigned, those odds might be taking a hit.

Snell’s market seems to have some gas in the tank with the Los Angeles Angels appearing to be engaged with the left-hander and rumors that Snell was focused on pitching there. The Goutfish appeared to signal a voice of confidence in Snell by dealing Framber Valdez to the Asti Grape Stompers Wednesday morning.

Montgomery, an arm with a higher floor than Snell, has had limited movement on his market this Spring despite a dominant end to 2023 that included a World Series Title with the Texas Rangers. The Fringe entered the off-season with a loaded group of rotation options, but their depth has taken a hit with the elbow injury to Kyle Bradish. Montgomery likely needs to strike a deal before March 19th's RDBL Keeper Deadline to justify his $20 deal for 2024.

Around the RDBL

• Tuesday’s Spring Training debut by Nashville Aristocrats right-hander Jackson Jobe (Minors) might be one to remember.  The right-hander was sitting between 99-102 with dominant secondary offerings in an eye-opening performance for the Detroit Tigers.  Jobe currently ranks as the club’s fourth best prospect in a Farm System that might have the most high-end talent in the RDBL.  With Jackson Holliday, Jackson Chourio and Gavin Williams all on the cusp of activation for President of Baseball Operations Nick Holz, it’s safe to slot Jobe at the top of the group at this time next season with the potential to be one of the most coveted prospects in the league.

• The Alamo Short Stacks appear finished with off-season moves following their acquisition of third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (3R/$5).  The club is currently projected to have $175 available for 10 spots, currently ranked as the third best spending power in the RDBL.

• Negotiations between the Mission Viejo Maulers and San Mateo Oppo Tacos appear to have hit a snag Tuesday following the potential injury to Maulers ace Gerrit Cole (2/$70).  While the results the MRI are unknown, GM Chris Ferraro is looking to retain his options including Oppo Tacos target Alex Bregman (3/$36) until Cole’s situation becomes more clear.

• A shoulder impingement to Cloverdale Clovers right-hander Edward Cabrera (Minors) could force GM Chris Shelley to hit the market for more starting pitching help behind Tyler Glasnow (3/$2) and Joe Ryan (3/$9).  Names to watch included Goutfish left-hander Framber Valdez (2/$48), before he was dealt Wednesday, as well as Blake Snell (3/$10), Honolulu Hammerheads right-handers Reese Olson (2FA/$5) and Kutter Crawford (2FA/$5) and Maltese Falcons right-hander Jordan Hicks (2FA/$5).

• The Burlingame Blue Ducks were dealt a blow Tuesday as prized right-hander Taj Bradley (Minors) was scratched from his start with a pec-related issue that will delay his 2024 debut.  Bradley, a candidate to be activated by GM Ryan Walsh, was enjoying a strong camp and appeared to have a firm grip on a starting spot in the Rays rotation.  Walsh is active on the trade front for additional arms according to sources, reaching out of former Stacks right-hander Brayan Bello before he was dealt to the Spokane Fightin’ Fish Tuesday.

• Maulers closer Edwin Diaz (2/$12) looked quite healthy in his first Spring appearance and first official outings since the WBC last season when he tore his knee in a post-game celebration.  Diaz topped out at 98 while striking out the side during Monday’s Grapefruit League action against the Marlins.  Diaz remains a trade candidate but GM Chris Ferraro could also turn to him as a potential replacement for Gerrit Cole if needed.