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.

TRADE: Goutfish Land Murphy to Solidify Catcher Position

The Lake Merced Goutfish brought a vaunted starting rotation into the off-season, but knew the offense needed more depth while having to address a void at catcher. GM Ryan Atkinson did just that on Wednesday, announcing the acquisition of catcher Sean Murphy (3R/$5) along with 2nd and 4th Round Picks (#22/56 Overall) from the San Mateo Oppo Tacos in exchange for infielder Ryan McMahon (2/$17) and a 2024 1st Round Pick and pair of 3rd Round Picks (#14/41/44 Overall).

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy posted a productive, yet frustrating season in 2023 and fantasy managers should expect more of the same in 2024. On a per-plate-appearance basis, one can argue Murphy was the best catcher in fantasy. However, the Braves split catching duties between Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud, leading to only 438 PA for Murphy, who was on the bench more than most starting catchers. When he was in the lineup, Murphy mashed. His 21 HR ranked fifth-best among catchers, despite having over 100 fewer PA than other top-catching options. Murphy's .251/.365/.478 triple-slash line represented career-bests for the first-year Brave. Best of all, Murphy's pristine Statcast numbers fully supported his breakout campaign. He set career highs in xBA (.270), xSLG (.525), and xwOBA (.390) while smoking the ball to the tune of a 91.4 MPH average exit velocity and a whopping 15% barrel-rate. Entering his age-29 season, Murphy should continue his steady production moving forward. D'Arnaud remains an issue, however, as he will play more than virtually every other backup catcher in baseball though a higher usage is likely in 2024 for Murphy.

McMahon has been a model of consistency in recent years. While he isn't as eye-catching as other infielders, he can certainly provide fantasy value at multiple positions. Over the last three seasons, McMahon has averaged 152 games, 22 homers, 74 RBI, 76 runs and six stolen bases. McMahon also has a .246/.326/.431 slash line since 2021 which is similar to last year's (.240/.322/.431). McMahon's expected numbers have been very similar to his actual numbers over the last three seasons. He strikeouts a lot (31.6% K% in 2023), but offsets it by walking a good amount (10.8% BB% in 2023). Since a two-week stint on the IL in 2019, McMahon has also avoided injuries.