Rumor Central: 'Crats Front Office Turmoil and a Landing Spot for Goldy

The Las Vegas Aristocrats sit 33.0 points out of a Playoff spot as of Thursday afternoon yet the majority of their productive players to start 2023 now dot other RDBL Rosters. With Juan Soto, Joe Musgrove, Andrew McCutchen, Adolis Garcia and Josh Naylor all shown the exit with Assistant GM Russ Colburn largely driving negotiations, President of Baseball Operations Nick Holz has stepped back in to reset expectations with their staff with "goals of annual trips to the Playoffs, not Farm System of the Year Awards" according to sources.

Holz was reportedly in California over the Holiday week to meet with Assistant GM Nick Kusanovich with expectations that he will be pushed into an Advisory role at the end of the season and out of the day-to-day operations according to those familiar with the conversation.

With Holz now settled in Jacksonville after a change in his professional career, he appears ready to step back in and lead the 'Crats through the remainder of 2023 and into the future with Colburn expected to stay on as club's number two man.

It should be noted that the 'Crats Farm System has been overhauled and currently ranks among the league's best following the selection of Jackson Chourio this past season as well as the additions of Jackson Holliday, Gavin Williams and Tink Hence. On the big league side, the 2024 Aristocrats look to have some substantial upside with Bryce Miller, Dustin May and Mason Miller all potential rotation stalwarts provided they can enter next season healthy while Garrett Mitchell, Spencer Torkelson, Bryson Stott and Nate Lowe give the club an affordable young core on offense.

Around the RDBL

- The Meinert Hops are actively seeking upgrades before the July 15th Deadline and appear to be the best fit for Honolulu Hammerheads stars Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Riley should GM Ross Horiuchi decide to sell. The Hops have Brett Baty and Henry Davis both already in the big leagues while Logan Allen (1FA/$5) could be another logical target for the Heads in a potential return.

- The Alamo Short Stacks have stripped down much of their roster but have received multiple inquiries on right-hander Bryan Bello (1FA/$5) who has produced 13 consecutive positive starts and owns a 3.04 ERA in 80.0 innings of work. Thus far, the Stacks have turned away inquiries and appear set on building around Bello for 2024.

Jeff McNeil (2/$7) and Patrick Sandoval (2D/$5) are the only two players on the Stacks roster that aren't currently in the first year of their contract or under a Minor League deal.

State of the RDBL Entering the Trade Deadline

The Roger Dorn Baseball League moved up the Trade Deadline to mid-July this season, leading to what should be a hectic final nine days before July 15th. Ten teams remain buyers with the top three teams in the standings almost certain to remain in their positions while capturing their individual Division Titles.

That leaves six teams scratching and clawing for the final three Wild Card spots while the selling clubs have been largely picked apart.

Here's a team by team review of the remaining buyers and their approach heading into the 2023 RDBL Trade Deadline.

DIVISION LEADERS

South Bay Fightin' Fish

Hitting: 1st | Pitching: 2nd

Additions: OF Taylor Ward, SS Dansby Swanson, OF Teoscar Hernandez, 1B C.J. Cron, RHP Zack Wheeler, 2B Termarr Johnson, 1B Jose Abreu, OF Oscar Colas

The Fightin' Fish continue to hold a commanding lead in the RDBL Standings as they seek their second Regular Season Title. GM Michael Tirabassi already leads the RDBL with $3,900 in lifetime earnings with the potential to be the first to cross the $4,000 and $5,000 mark this year. Tirabassi has been quite active leading into the July 15th deadline, adding eight players over the past two months while they look to produce the league's top offense for the second time in Franchise History.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: A toe injury has sidelined 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge and the timeline remains up in the air on his return. Even without Judge, the Fish lead the RDBL in slugging percentage which will only rise if they can get their star back in the lineup.

Lake Merced Goutfish

Hitting: 9th | Pitching: 1st

Additions: RP Ryan Pressly, SS Tim Anderson, RHP Brandon Woodruff, OF Andrew McCutchen, RHP Joe Musgrove, SS Carlos Correa, 3B Alec Bohm, LHP Max Fried

GM Ryan Atkinson continues to do a masterful job at the helm of the Lake Merced Goutfish as the club is firmly in hold of what will be their third Peninsula Division Title while they chase their second RDBL Championship in Franchise History. Atkinson has been active over the past six weeks, making eight additions to the big league roster while cashing in top prospects Bobby Miller, Bryce Miller and Adael Amador.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: While Musgrove added some serious muscle to the league's top pitching staff, the expected returns of Max Fried and Brandon Woodruff strike fear in the remainder of the RDBL as a potentially dominant starting rotation for the Playoffs.

Mt Diablo Devils

Hitting: 2nd | Pitching: 3rd

Additions: 3B Manny Machado, LHP James Paxton, 1B/3B Ty France, RP Emmanuel Clase, RHP Freddy Peralta, RHP J.P. France, RHP Dane Dunning

The Devils haven't reached the Playoffs since 2017, but GM Jason Watson is determined to change that as his Front Office has been among the most active in the RDBL over the last month. The club completed a blockbuster deal in early June, acquiring Manny Machado, James Paxton, Ty France and Emmanuel Clase, helping lead to their growing lead in the East Bay Division over the Cloverdale Clovers.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: With a combined -61.0 points from Adam Wainwright and Nick Lodolo this season, Watson has been forced to hit the trade market for rotation help, acquiring Freddy Peralta, J.P. France and Dane Dunning this week but the return of Merrill Kelly (calf) will be critical to their potential success come September.

FIGHTING FOR FINAL THREE SPOTS

Cloverdale Clovers

Hitting: 3rd | Pitching: 9th

Additions: RP Camilo Doval, RHP Joe Ryan

The Clovers remain active in the Trade Market after acquiring some pitching help on Sunday in their deal with the Las Vegas Aristocrats for Camilo Doval and Joe Ryan. With Elly De La Cruz, Nick Pratto, Zach Neto and Anthony Volpe looming as potential Playoff activations, the pitching staff likely remains and area to address as they enter Thursday ranked 9th in pitcher scoring.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: Expected to be one of the league's best values, Tyler Glasnow was stalled with an oblique injury to start the year and has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 36.0 innings thus far. He'll need to get back in ace-form if the Clovers are going to make a postseason run this year.

Idaho Taters

Hitting: 5th | Pitching: 8th

Additions: 1B Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., LHP Clayton Kershaw, LHP Justin Steele, C Will Smith, LHP Julio Urias, SS Trea Turner, OF Adolis Garcia, OF Juan Soto, 1B Josh Naylor

The Idaho Taters have swung for the fences this season, making nine major additions to their Active Roster while shipping off elite prospects Jackson Holliday, Gavin Williams, Marcelo Mayer, Evan Carter and Junior Caminero as well as valued 2024 Keepers in Gavin Lux, Logan O'Hoppe and Spencer Torkelson. Given the Taters have finished 13th and 14th over their first two seasons, you can't blame GM Mike Friedrich for pushing his chips all in. With a lethal 1-2 combo at catcher and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Juan Soto and Trea Turner anchoring the offense, the Taters will continue to seek some additional rotation help to aid a potentially deep run in September.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: At this stage in his career, an IL stint for Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is a virtual lock but the Taters appear to have dodged a long absence as the future Hall of Famer is expected back after the All Star Break. His health will be critical for the Taters rotation after he posted a dominant 2.55 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 95 1/3 first half innings.

Mission Viejo Maulers

Hitting: 11th | Pitching: 4th

Additions: RHP Kevin Gausman, LHP Carlos Rodon, OF Andrew Benintendi, OF Kyle Tucker, IF/OF Lourdes Gurriel

It was expected to be another rebuilding season for GM Chris Ferraro who parted ways with Aaron Judge and Justin Verlander before the Draft. It's been anything but for a potential Executive of the Year candidate as Ferraro has navigated their way into a Wild Card spot entering play Thursday. Behind aces Gerrit Cole and Luis Castillo, the club has dominated on the mound while building depth in the rotation that makes them a scary opposition in September if they can hold onto the final Wild Card spot.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: All eyes will be on left-hander Carlos Rodon on Friday as he makes his New York Yankees debut following arm troubles in Spring Training. Rodon, acquired from the Maltese Falcons last month, could form a lethal trio with Cole and Castillo if he can return to full health.

Lunatic Fringe

Hitting: 4th | Pitching: 13th

Additions: N/A

GM Tony Guglielmi has been pestered to trade his assets for the past few weeks, but his patience paid off as the club posted 443.5 points in Period 14, the second most in a week this season. Yet to make an in-season deal, Guglielmi's Fringe could be the team to watch over the final nine days before the Deadline as they look to add to a pitching staff that ranks 13th in scoring and won't see the return of Keeper Lance McCullers (elbow).

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: Expected to be a breakout arm, Reid Detmers is cashing in on that promise recently as he has posted a 1.35 ERA and 0.60 WHIP over his last 20.0 innings. His emergence into a trusted starter gives the Fringe one less starting spot to address before the Deadline.

Honolulu Hammerheads

Hitting: 8th | Pitching: 10th

Additions: RHP Reese Olson, RHP Julio Teheran, RHP Bailey Ober, OF Brendan Donovan

With the loss of Jacob deGrom (elbow), Chris Sale (shoulder) and Michael Wacha (shoulder), the Hammerheads have been trying to piece together a rotation to match their improving offense. The earlier RDBL Trade Deadline puts GM Ross Horiuchi in a tough spot given the club has already parted with 1st Round Pick in 2024, activated Tanner Bibee and dealt away Pablo Lopez who has heated back up with 77.0 points over his last three starts since being moved to the Grapes. The club could double down, especially after posting 369.5 points in Period 14, or flip the page to 2024 with the expiring contracts of Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Riley capable of returning a major haul.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: With Wacha on the shelf, the Heads will turn to former Reserve Draft pick Mike Soroka who will be counted on to pick up the slack for a injured-riddled rotation.

Meinert Hops

Hitting: 12th | Pitching: 4th

Additions: C Jonah Heim, C Willson Contreras

Yet another legendary season from Shohei Ohtani has the Hops right back in the mix after earning their first Playoff berth in 2022. Ohtani is on pace for 596.0 points at the plate and 596.5 points on the mound and with Shane McClanahan and Zac Gallen, the Hops have plenty of pitching to make a run. The issue continues to be at the plate which faces another hurdle after Thairo Estrada hit the IL this week. With cap room to spare, this appears to be the best landing spot for Goldschmidt and Riley should the Heads fall off with Henry Davis or Brett Baty as the likely targets in return to lead the deal.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: With their offense hurting, Michael Harris needs to continue the re-emergence he has recently shown and be a leading scorer for the Hops offense over the final few weeks of they are going to earn one of the final Wild Card spots.

Burlingame Blue Ducks

Hitting: 10th | Pitching: 7th

Additions: N/A

The Ducks have remained on the fray on contention, bouncing between 5th and 12th which has left GM Ryan Walsh paralyzed. Friday could determine their path as the return of Alek Manoah highlights a four-start day for the Ducks while their Minor League system looks to shine with four prospects likely to be selected in the Top-10 this weekend.

Most Important Player Down the Stretch: Manoah has had a disastrous start to the 2023 season, but a return to even 75% of his form would be a huge boost to the Ducks down the stretch.

TRADE: Stacks Firesale Continues, Goutfish Land Trio

The Alamo Short Stacks firesale continued late Saturday night as the club announced their second trade of the weekend, this time sending pitchers Brandon Woodruff (3/$38), Ryan Pressly (2/$6) and shortstop Tim Anderson (1/$27) to the Lake Merced Goutfish in exchange for right-hander Walker Buehler (1D/$5), infielder Maikel Garcia (1FA/$5) and infield prospect Adael Amador (Minors).

The Stacks will also receive a 3rd Round Pick in the trade if Brandon Woodruff makes 10 starts over the remainder of the season.

More to come on this developing story.