Commissioner's Office Polls Front Offices Following Three 2024 Proposals

The Roger Dorn Baseball League Commissioner’s Office polled League Front Offices following the completion of the 2023 Season for potential rule changes heading into the 11th Season of play. The League instituted a pair of rule changes for 2023 that were well received, adding a 1.0 point value for Holds while the league’s Waiver Process was overhauled to a bidding system that put Front Offices in more control.

While feedback continues to be overwhelming positive about the health of the league, discussions around improving the league are always vital to ensure we are addressing any potential issues or blind spots in the current rule book.

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Proposal: Additional Season of Control for Activated Prospects

This proposal would allow for RDBL clubs to have contractual control for a fourth season of young activated players that currently work in the 1R/$1, 2R/$3, 3R/$5 system. The proposal states that entering the third season of control, teams would have the option on Draft Day to convert their 3R/$5 into a 3R/$15 deal, awarding them the option of a 4R/$25 the following year before hitting Free Agency.

If positively received, the proposal would not go into place for players entering their 3R/$5 season in 2024. Stipulations could be built around the eligibility of prospects for the new contract terms (i.e. must have been activated by that Franchise, etc.) as well as limiting each RDBL Franchise to a certain amount per season.

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Proposal: Decrease to In-Season Salary Cap from $325

To prevent runaway trades before the Deadline, the RDBL currently has a $325 in-season cap in place. This proposal would lower that cap space to $310 (flexible on the final number) to curb some of the “arms race” we have seen from contenders since the move to the Playoff format.

The league’s starting cap space is $260. The move would decrease the value of high-priced contracts, forcing clubs to be more creative with their in-season cap space.

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Proposal: Unused Draft Day Auction Money moves to Free Agent Waiver Budget

Currently, Front Offices work within a $260 Draft Day Cap Space in the Auction. Any money not spent in Auction is lost with no benefit. Under the proposal, any unused money could be added to the club’s Free Agent Waiver Budget which starts at $100 for every club. A cap of $20 could be used to prevent any manipulation of the change.

State of the Franchise: Alamo Short Stacks

We continue our State of the Franchise series with the Alamo Short Stacks who broke their four year streak of cash finishes in 2023, limping to an 11th place finish in a season that started with hopes for repeating as Champions. The Stacks are tied with the Maltese Falcons with a RDBL-Record seven Cash Finishes and have eyes on returning to the Playoffs in 2024 with a revamped roster.

Franchise History Page

President of Baseball Operations: Greg Shelley

Headquarters: Alamo, CA

Seasons: 10

Cash Finishes: 7

Division Titles: 4

Lifetime Earnings: $3,760

Top Hitter: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., 457.5 (2021)

Top Pitcher: Brandon Woodruff, 499.0 (2021)

2023 Season

The 2023 Season never got off on the right foot for GM Greg Shelley who lost middle infielders Brendan Rodgers and Gavin Lux within a span of 24-hours in Spring Training. The club never found their momentum, dumping $58 combined into flops Tim Anderson and Carlos Correa while underperformance from stars Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and Manny Machado convinced the Front Office to pull the fire alarm.

The Stacks were the first to hit the seller's market, unloading every player owed more than $7 in 2024. The result was a prized Farm System to join Activation of the Year Corbin Carroll that should have the club back in the contention picture as soon as next season.

2024 Pending Free Agents

N/A

Current Projected Keeper Roster Ranked by Value

1. OF Corbin Carroll (2R/$3)

2. RHP Logan Gilbert (3R/$5)

3. OF Evan Carter (1R/$1)

4. C Logan O'Hoppe (2/$7)

5. RHP Walker Buehler (2D/$5)

6. 2B Jeff McNeil (3/$7)

7. OF Josh Outman (2/$7)

8. OF Josh Lowe (2R/$3)

9. 3B Junior Caminero (1R/$1)

10. IF/OF Gavin Lux (2D/$5)

11. RHP Brayan Bello (2FA/$5)

12. SS/2B/3B Jordan Westburg (1R/$1)

13. RP Tanner Scott (2FA/$5)

14. LHP Nick Lodolo (2R/$3)

15. C Luis Campusano (2R/$3)

The Stacks potential roster is filled with young and controllable assets that could leave the Front Office with as much as $200 for just six primary positions (excluding a pair of RP spots). That flexibility will depend on the faith the Front Office has in potential activations Junior Caminero, Masyn Winn and Tyler Soderstrom as well as injury returnees Nick Lodolo, Walker Buehler and Gavin Lux, giving the group as much volatility as any in the RDBL.

The Front Office is looking at the glass half full approach with 10 expected Keepers entering their second big league season with pillars of various success to build on. But expect plenty of changes to come this off-season as the club holds 16 prospects under contract in addition to six of the first 35 selections in the Reserve Draft, making them a key candidate for an active off-season.

Farm System

1. OF Evan Carter (Rangers)

2. 3B Junior Caminero (Rays)

3. SS Colson Montgomery (White Sox)

4. SS Marcelo Mayer (Red Sox)

5. OF Max Clark (Tigers)

6. SS Adael Amador (Rockies)

7. SS Masyn Winn (Cardinals)

8. 3B Jordan Westburg (Orioles)

9. C Tyler Soderstrom (Athletics)

10. OF Gabriel Gonzalez (Mariners)

Next Best: OF Miguel Bleis (BOS), OF Sammy Zavala (SD), SS Jacob Wilson (OAK), SS Jacob Gonzalez (CHW), 3B Brayden Taylor (TB), 3B Tommy White (LSU)

One year after Corbin Carroll made himself a slam-dunk outfield activation, Evan Carter has followed in his footsteps thanks to a breakout MLB Playoff run with a skillset that aligns perfectly to the RDBL scoring system. Carter is the only slam dunk Opening Day activation, but could easily be followed by breakout star Junior Caminero who made his big league debut late in 2023. Masyn Winn, Jordan Westburg and Tyler Soderstrom all spent time in the majors as well and will fight for activations in Spring.

The Farm is loaded in the middle infield and outfield with Colson Montgomery, Marcelo Mayer and Adael Amador looking like a special trio for 2025 while Max Clark, Gabriel Gonzalez and Sammy Zavala all shined in the Minors this season. A shoulder injury to Miguel Bleis cut his season short, but the Stacks remain sky-high on the outfielder with eyes on a 2024 breakout.

A crowded group and bevy of draft picks could make 2023 MLB 1st Rounders like Jacob Wilson, Jacob Gonzalez and Brayden Taylor available in off-season talks if Shelley looks to add salary to their big league roster for 2024.

Off-Season Questions

1. Are the kids outside of Carter ready?

The Stacks have a special asset in Corbin Carroll which will test the patience of GM Greg Shelley in 2024. Evan Carter certainly looks ready to contribute immediately, but their other top prospects (Winn, Westburg, Soderstrom) should likely be held in the Minors for one additional season to maximize their value. The squeeze of Farm System openings and early draft picks will certainly be an area to watch for the Stacks as something will need to give before Draft Day.

2. Will they stabilize the rotation volatility this off-season?

Between the Lake Merced Goutfish, Lunatic Fringe and Honolulu Hammerheads, plenty of starting pitching help is likely to be available on the trade market this off-season should the Stacks look to go in that direction. Few groups offer as much variance in expected performance than the Stacks with Nick Lodolo and Walker Buehler coming off lost seasons, yet retaining elite upside while young starters Bryan Woo and Brayan Bello look take their production to another level.

3. Keeping eyes on 2025?

The Stacks have a wave of high-end prospects expected to hit the big leagues next season, making 2025 a potentially special Activation Class for the Franchise. That certainly could make the appeal of using 2024 as a transition season appealing, making Jacob deGrom, Shane McClanahan and other injured arms a potential fit for the Stacks in Auction.

State of the Franchise: Burlingame Blue Ducks

We continue our State of the Franchise series with the Burlingame Blue Ducks who hung around the edges of contention this season before pulling the rip cord and finishing in 12th place. Ducks GM Ryan Walsh has already proven to be an exceptional in-season Executive, with four cash finishes and a RDBL Championship on his resume. The Front Office is now looking to establish itself for their player development as well, following two strong Reserve Drafts that could serve as the center of their next Title contender with Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford leading the charge.

Franchise History Page

President of Baseball Operations: Ryan Walsh

Headquarters: Burlingame, CA

Seasons: 9

Cash Finishes: 4

Division Titles: 1

Lifetime Earnings: $1,915

Top Hitter: Jose Altuve, 510.5 (2016)

Top Pitcher: Justin Verlander, 489.5 (2016)

2023 Season

It doesn't take long to see where the Ducks season went sideways in 2023 as five of the six members of the Opening Day rotation either drastically underperformed or saw their season cut short by injury. No player had a more surprisingly disastrous season than Alek Manoah who was expected to anchor the group after a 630.0 point breakout season that saw him earn Activation of the Year honors in the RDBL. He never got on track this year, producing just 44.0 points in 19 starts with a 5.85 ERA and 1.73 WHIP, leaving his future in Toronto and Burlingame uncertain.

The offense will need to be addressed as well with the Ducks producing their worst offensive performance in Franchise History, finishing the season 14th in hitting with a .243/.312/.409 line. The late season addition of Bryce Harper from the Lake Merced Goutfish is a strong starting point to build that group back up.

2024 Pending Free Agents

IF Brandon Drury, RHP Nick Martinez

Current Projected Keeper Roster Ranked by Value

1. 1B Bryce Harper (2/$41)

2. RHP Paul Skenes (1R/$1)

3. 2B Ketal Marte (2/$20)

4. OF Nick Castellanos (2/$16)

5. OF Kyle Schwarber (2/$30)

6. 2B/OF Jazz Chisholm (3R/$5)

7. RP Devin Williams (3/$5)

8. 1B Kyle Manzardo (1R/$1)

9. LHP Andrew Abbott (2FA/$5)

10. C Patrick Bailey (2FA/$5)

11. RHP Taj Bradley (1R/$1)

12. RHP Alek Manoah (3R/$5)

Spring Training might be as important to the Burlingame Blue Ducks as any RDBL Franchise heading into 2024. All eyes will be on the young trio of Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford who could and should make pushes for their respective Opening Day rosters. While their upside doesn't match the three, Kyle Manzardo and Taj Bradley will face important Spring Trainings as well with the opportunity to give the Ducks as many as five activations and a great deal of cap space flexibility.

With the uncertainty in the rotation, expect Walsh to target some external help this Winter with a chance they dangle at least one of their five selections in the Top 27 of the 2024 Reserve Draft.

Farm System

1. OF Dylan Crews (Nationals)

2. RHP Paul Skenes (Pirates)

3. OF Wyatt Langford (Rangers)

4. RHP Taj Bradley (Rays)

5. 1B Kyle Manzardo (Guardians)

6. RHP Rhett Lowder (Reds)

7. IF Jace Jung (Tigers)

8. C Daniel Susac (Athletics)

9. OF Heliot Ramos (Giants)

10. OF Travis Swaggerty (Pirates)

Next Best: C Ronaldo Hernandez (BOS), IF Jeter Downs (WSH)

This is the best Farm System in Franchise History with the top three of Crews, Skenes and Langford (who is my personal favorite of the group) standing out as the best trio of prospects in the RDBL. The talent hardly stops there with Taj Bradley and Kyle Manzardo eying potential Opening Day big league jobs while Rhett Lowder looks to be on the fasttrack to Cincinnati.

The back half of the Farm System has seen their stars dim with Walsh potentially looking to empty out the group and leave room to leverage their stable of draft selections in 2024.

Off-Season Questions

1. How aggressive will the Ducks be with their prospects?

The Ducks have never been viewed as a Franchise to punt on a season, but if GM Ryan Walsh chose to be extremely patient with their group, an Auction strategy of injured arms like Jacob deGrom, Shane McClanahan, Sandy Alcantara and Brandon Woodruff on cheap deals could turn the team into a powerhouse in 2025, especially with Bryce Harper still under contract.

On the flip side, an aggressive approach to activations in 2024 could make the Ducks one of the most exciting teams to watch next year.

2. How many picks will be dealt?

The Ducks loaded up with Draft selections on the trade market this year, currently sitting with a pair of first round picks and three selections in the second round. With the starting pitcher trade market looking quite healthy this Winter, Walsh should not have a problem adding at least two starters to his current group if they desire.

3. What to make of Alek Manoah?

The Ducks have put their support behind Manoah publicly, but nothing will really matter until the burly right-hander takes the mound in Florida for Spring Training. Manoah was arguably the league's best value in 2022 before sinking to the biggest disappointment in 2023.