The Meinert Hops were one of the clubs aggressively pursuing Burlingame Blue Ducks outfielder Randy Arozarena before he was moved to the Lake Merced Goutfish on Tuesday in a blockbuster move that sent Bryce Harper to GM Ryan Walsh's club.
With news of the Honolulu Hammerheads likely set to hold onto their expiring assets and chase the final Wild Card spot, the Meinert Hops have been left in a difficult spot to try and upgrade their offense.
Here are a few players GM Garrett Shelley and other RDBL Front Offices can turn to before next Tuesday's RDBL Trade Deadline:
RHP Corbin Burnes (1/$73), Aristocrats
Stats: 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP | Points: 247.0 | On Pace: 444.0
With President of Baseball Operations Nick Holz getting more involved in the day-to-day operations of the Aristocrats, sources close to the club have indicated that Corbin Burnes will not return in 2024 on his $73 contract. His performance in 2023 is likely to leave the off-season market for him very thin or non-existence, giving the 'Crats seven days to recoup some value for his services. His market is limited in the RDBL, with multiple clubs who have already added to their roster out of the bidding due to the in-season salary cap but he could fit the Hops, Clovers, Fringe and Hammerheads before the deadline.
IF Andres Gimenez (2D/$5), Grapes
Stats: .248/.320/.389 | Points: 182.0 | On Pace: 333.5
Gimenez was a breakout for the Asti Grape Stompers in 2022, slugging .466 while producing 384.0 points with eligibility at both second and short. He's taken a step back in 2023 and while he's still productive, keeping the infielder for 2024 involves a bump in salary from $5 to $15.
OF Eloy Jimenez (1/$39), Grapes
Stats: .272/.315/.472 | Points: 144.5 | On Pace: 258.5
Jimenez hasn't appeared in more than 84 games since 2019, a trend that could continue in 2023 after an appendectomy and hamstring issues sidelined him earlier in the year. His lack of health make him an easy drop at $39 this off-season, making Jimenez a cheap pickup before the Trade Deadline with the chance to catch fire down the stretch. The White Sox slugger slashing .323/.391/.558 in the 2nd Half last season.
2B/3B Max Muncy (1/$19), Grapes
Stats: .198/.331/.476 | Points: 167.5 | On Pace: 300.5
It's hard to fork over almost $20 on a Keeper when they are hitting under .200, making Muncy a likely drop this Winter. He's slugging the ball with 21 home runs at the break, but his average and OBP are almost a match to his disappointing 2022 campaign. Much like Jimenez, Muncy had a stellar 2nd Half in 2022 with a .391 OBP and could provide a jolt to the Hops lineup down the stretch.
RHP Brady Singer (2FA/$5), Grapes
Stats: 5.80 ERA, 1.55 WHIP | Points: 61.0 | On Pace: 111.0
Singer had a breakout 2022 campaign, posting 374.0 points with a strikeout an inning and exceptional 1.14 WHIP. Things have hardly gone well in 2023, but he is fresh off 26.0 and 27.0 point outings before a stinker in Cleveland before the break. With the asking price extremely low, Singer could be a matchup play for any rotation over the final weeks of the Regular Season with hope for a rebound in the Playoffs.
RP Ryan Helsley (2FA/$5), Grapes
Stats: 3.24 ERA, 1.16 WHIP | Points: 89.0 | On Pace: 162.0
If a team gets a deal done with the Grapes, there's no reason not to include Ryan Helsley in the return. He won't take up a roster spot as he returns from a forearm injury and is on an expiring deal. He was recently cleared to start throwing and could slot back into the closer spot in St. Louis in late July.
OF Byron Buxton (1/$21), Jokers
Stats: .208/.300/.436 | Points: 153.5 | On Pace: 266.5
In a season that has been largely filled with health, Buxton hasn't been able to cash in on his tools in 2023 with a career low .208 average while managing just a .300 OBP. That makes him a clear drop at $21, but a potential upgrade in a 4th or 5th outfield spot down the stretch for a nominal cost.
LHP Nestor Cortes (2D/$5), Falcons
Stats: 5.16 ERA, 1.30 WHIP | Points: 82.0 | On Pace: 155.0
Cortes backed up a breakout 2021 with a 522.0 point season in 2022 but has stumbled to a 5.16 ERA in just 11 appearances this season. He's due a $10 bump to $15 if he's retained for 2024, a move that the Maltese Falcons would currently decline. He's working his way back from a shoulder injury and is expected back in early August, potentially serving as a cheap shot in the arm for a RDBL rotation.
3B Eugenio Suarez (2FA/$5), Aristocrats
Stats: .227/.323/.377 | Points: 184.5 | On Pace: 330.5
Playing nearly everyday, Suarez is on pace for a strong 330.5 points and is coming off a 26.0 point performance in Period 15. He's on an expiring deal for the Las Vegas Aristocrats who remain on the fray of contention but would likely take an asset back for the last few weeks of his contract.
OF Kris Bryant (3/$24), Ducks
Stats: .261/.339/.374 | Points: 127.0 | On Pace: 221.0
The Ducks have done the heavy lifting of their firesale over the All-Star Break, but Kris Bryant is healthy and ready to help a contender down the stretch. Since returning from the IL, he's hit safely in seven of his last eight games and could be acquired for a reasonable draft pick or prospect given his salary and expiring contract.
RHP Tony Gonsolin (2D/$5), Ducks
Stats: 3.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP | Points: 158.0 | On Pace: 291.0
Much like Nestor Cortes, the shine has worn a bit off Tony Gonsolin putting into question his 2024 contract when he's owed a $10 bump to $15. That could put the right-hander on the market before Tuesday's deadline. He holds a strong 3.86 ERA and 1.12 WHIP and should garner a decent return for GM Ryan Walsh if he is put on the market.
2B Jeff McNeil (2/$7), Stacks
Stats: .253/.331/.328 | Points: 170.0 | On Pace: 309.0
Multiple clubs are looking to plug holes in the middle infield which could make Jeff McNeil a logical fit. With just $7 owed to McNeil in 2024, the Stacks are hardly looking to give him away but have reportedly engaged in talks to pair McNeil with a prospect to land a more significant prospect in return.
LHP Patrick Sandoval (2D/$5), Stacks
Stats: 4.41 ERA, 1.47 WHIP | Points: 126.0 | On Pace: 227.0
Sandoval had a breakout campaign in 2022, posting a 2.91 ERA while looking like a lock to be one of the first 3D/$15 players in RDBL History. He's taken a step back in 2023, posting a 4.41 ERA but enters the second half healthy and ready to serve as a potential matchup play down the stretch for a contender. The lefty is a candidate to be added to a deal with Jeff McNeil if the Stacks go in that direction.
C Blake Sabol (1FA/$5), Grapes
Stats: .259/.319/.444 | Points: 125.5 | On Pace: 222.0
With Daulton Varsho and Sal Perez off the market, the bar for catching interest is creeping lower which could push up interest in Sabol. Logging time in the outfield for the Giants, Sabol would serve as an upgrade at the second catcher spot for a few clubs.
1B Anthony Rizzo (2/$17), Grapes
Stats: .257/.348/.405 | Points: 195.5 | On Pace: 356.5
It's unclear if the Grapes would part with Rizzo as the first baseman is having a strong season under a reasonable contract, but everything appears to be on the table for GM Terry Shelley. If Rizzo can land a younger piece that is helpful for 2024, the Grapes are likely to make the move.
