Rumor Central: Bieber Injury Opens Up Cap Space for Fightin' Fish

The Cleveland Guardians reported that right-hander Shane Bieber (1/$42) underwent an MRI on his right elbow/forearm last Friday and will be shut down for two weeks while hitting the IL. The injury could open up more possibilities for Spokane Fightin' Fish President of Baseball Operations Michael Tirabassi to dip back into the trade market according to sources.

Having already acquired Zack Wheeler (3/$25), Aaron Nola (2/$43), Jose Abreu (3/$37), Dansy Swanson (3/$10), Teoscar Hernandez (3/$10), C.J. Cron (3/$8), Taylor Ward (2FA/$5), Oscar Colas (1/$4) and Scott Barlow (2/$5), the Fish have been bumping up against the in-season $325 Salary Cap on a weekly basis. With Bieber likely on the shelf and Abreu under-performing, the Fish could create significant flexibility in the cap number to make another addition before Tuesday's RDBL Trade Deadline.

That could mean Las Vegas Aristocrats right-hander Corbin Burnes (1/$73) could be in play according to sources. Burnes was dominant in his latest start, working six shutout innings while striking out 13. He owns a 3.73 ERA on the season.

The Fightin' Fish have already parted with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Round Picks. Termarr Johnson (Minors) could be one potential candidate to be moved if Tirabassi jumps back into the trade market. Johnson was drafted by the Fightin' Fish in 2021 but has already been moved to the Mission Viejo Maulers and Maltese Falcons before coming back to the Fish in an early June deal. The second baseman has been on fire of late.

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad, Baseball America's 68th ranked prospect, could also garner interest and is reportedly available in talks as of Monday evening. After enduring two years plagued by medical issues and injuries, Kjerstad has thrived in his first full healthy season as a professional. He’s held his own at Triple-A, showing a strong hit tool and plus power. His .970 OPS on the season ranks 5th among all RDBL hitting prospects.

State Farm Weekly Recap: Fish Extend RDBL Lead

A short Period 16 due to the All-Star Break still offered plenty of fireworks with just two days remaining before the 2023 RDBL Trade Deadline. The Spokane Fightin' Fish, Mt. Diablo Devils and Lake Merced Goutfish continue to have a stranglehold on Division Leads while several teams remain in the fight for the three Wild Card spots.

Team of the Week: Spokane Fightin' Fish, 210.5 Points

45-157, 157 AB, 7 2B, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 26 R, 20 BB, CS, HP

32.2 INN, 21 HA, 13 BBI, 27 K, 13 ER, W, 2 L

The Spokane Fightin' Fish were starting to feel the heat on their 1st Place lead from the Mt. Diablo Devils and Lake Merced Goutfish heading into the All-Star Break but a big Period 16 provided some breathing room.

Hitter of the Week: Cody Bellinger, Fringe, 18.5 Points

4-11, 11 AB, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, BB

Bellinger continues to have a stellar year at the plate, especially considering the $4 contract GM Tony Guglielmi locked him into on Draft Day with control through 2025. He's slashing .300/.358/.524 with 26 extra base hits in 61 games this season.

Pitcher of the Week: Julio Urias, Taters, 32.0 Points

6 INN, HA, BBI, 7 K, W, HB

The Taters had a pair of standout performers on the mound as Charlie Morton topped all pitchers with 35.0 points but was on the bench for GM Mike Friedrich. Julio Urias picked up the slack with six shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk in a win over the Mets.

Prospect of the Week: Gabriel Gonzalez, Stacks

Still just 19, Gonzalez earned a promotion to High-A last week and went 5-for-13 with a home run and double. A career .324 hitter in the minors, Gonzalez slashed .348/.403/.530 with nine home runs and eight steals in 73 games for Single-A Modesto, where he also logged 32 games in 2022. Even with all that experience in full-season ball, Gonzalez doesn't turn 20 until January and is looking like one of the best pure hitters in the minors, leading all hitters with 108 hits on the season.

Life Insurance Player of the Week: Michael Kopech, -19.0 Points

0.2 INN, HA, 4 BBI, 4 ER, L, HB

Kopech (3-8) allowed four runs on a hit and four walks in only two-thirds of an inning while taking a loss against Atlanta on Friday. Kopech was activated from the injured list to make his first start since June 27 and immediately ran into trouble. He loaded the bases with no outs before serving up a grand slam to Matt Olson. Kopech has compiled a brutal 12:20 K:BB through 13 innings over his last four starts. He saw his season ERA climb to 4.47 with a league-leading 53 walks. Assuming his shoulder wasn't an issue Friday, Kopech is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Mets next week.

Maulers, Goutfish Land Two Coveted Prospects in Waivers

Sunday's Waiver Claims could have ripple effects into 2024 as a pair of Title contenders landing potential Keepers and building blocks for next year.

The Mission Viejo Maulers, already overloaded with Keeper options for next season, landed Zack Gelof for $51, beating out eight other claims while slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand received a $46 bid from the Lake Merced Goutfish, beating out six other bids.

The Spokane Fightin' Fish enter Period 17 with the most Waiver Budget remaining with $45. While claims will continue weekly through the remainder of the season, Period 19 Claims on 7/30 will be the last chance to acquire a player that is eligible to be retained as a Keeper for 2024.

Playoff Teams will receive a $25 reset to their Waiver Budget in Period 23.

Remaining Regular Season Waiver Budget

Lunatic Fringe - $28

Idaho Taters - $1

Cloverdale Clovers - $31

Mt. Diablo Devils - $11

Spokane Fightin' Fish - $45

Mission Viejo Maulers - $17

Lake Merced Goutfish - $4

St. Joseph Jokers - $41

Meinert Hops - $35

Alamo Short Stacks - $0

Asti Grape Stompers - $0

Burlingame Blue Ducks - $3

Maltese Falcons - $10

Honolulu Hammerheads - $0

Las Vegas Aristocrats - $0

Offers For - Zack Gelof Signed For $51 by Mission Viejo Maulers Dropped Andy Ibanez - DET Meinert Hops $35 Lost Cloverdale Clovers $31 Lost Lake Merced Goutfish $7 Lost Idaho Taters $1 Lost Asti Grape Stompers $0 Lost Maltese Falcons $0 Lost Las Vegas Aristocrats $0 Lost Spokane Fightin' Fish $0 Lost

Offers For - Christian Encarnacion-Strand Signed For $46 by Lake Merced Goutfish Dropped Jared Triolo - PIT Spokane Fightin' Fish $45 Lost Meinert Hops $35 Lost Cloverdale Clovers $31 Lost Mission Viejo Maulers $15 Lost Maltese Falcons $10 Lost Idaho Taters $1 Lost

Offers For - Taylor Walls Signed For $3 by St. Joseph Jokers Dropped None

Offers For - Brandon Williamson Signed For $1 by Alamo Short Stacks Dropped Tyler Anderson - LAA Maltese Falcons $0 Lost Honolulu Hammerheads $0 Lost

Offers For - Cole Ragans Signed For $0 by Asti Grape Stompers Dropped None

Offers For - Joey Wendle Signed For $0 by Burlingame Blue Ducks Dropped None

Offers For - Carlos Carrasco Signed For $0 by Maltese Falcons Dropped None Las Vegas Aristocrats $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order Asti Grape Stompers $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order

Offers For - Trey Cabbage Signed For $0 by Honolulu Hammerheads Dropped IL Claim - LAA

Offers For - Austin Gomber Signed For $0 by Las Vegas Aristocrats Dropped Hogan Harris - OAK Maltese Falcons $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order

Offers For - Kevin Kiermaier Signed For $0 by Meinert Hops Dropped Gavin Sheets - CHW Honolulu Hammerheads $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order Honolulu Hammerheads $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order

Offers For - Daniel Bard Signed For $0 by Alamo Short Stacks

Offers For - Johan Rojas Signed For $0 by Asti Grape Stompers Dropped None

Offers For - Mike Moustakas Signed For $0 by Burlingame Blue Ducks Dropped None

Offers For - Jose Quintana Signed For $0 by Maltese Falcons Dropped None Honolulu Hammerheads $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order Las Vegas Aristocrats $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order

Offers For - Travis Jankowski Signed For $0 by Honolulu Hammerheads Dropped Kevin Newman - CIN Las Vegas Aristocrats $0 Lost Due To Tie Break Order

Offers For - Matt Strahm Signed For $0 by Las Vegas Aristocrats Dropped None

Offers For - Brennan Bernardino Signed For $0 by Honolulu Hammerheads Dropped Matt Moore - LAA

Offers For - Alec Marsh Signed For $0 by Las Vegas Aristocrats Dropped Kolby Allard - ATL

Offers For - Chris Martin Signed For $0 by Las Vegas Aristocrats Dropped None