TRADE: Devils Grab Yelich from Fish

The Spokane Fightin' Fish continued a busy day, completing the third and final deal of the day, this one with the Mt. Diablo Devils. The move will send outfielder Christian Yelich (2/$31) to the Devils in exchange for a 2023 5th Round Pick (66th Overall).

Yelich enters 2023 seeking to build on the personal positives from last season, when he hit .252 but bumped up his home run and RBI totals to 14 and 57 and stole 19 bases while playing in 154 games, a new high for him with Milwaukee.

Yelich was moved into the leadoff spot by manager Craig Counsell in early June, appeared more than comfortable there the rest of the way and did a more-than-ample job of setting the table. He also hit the ball hard consistently, although he has yet to rediscover the ability to drive the ball in the air with consistency like he did during his MVP season of 2018 as well as 2019, when he finished as runner-up. He has looked more like himself this Spring with a .971 OPS in 24 at-bats including a home run and a double in front of Devils GM Jason Watson in Scottsdale last weekend.

Yelich joins an offense full of upside with Wander Franco and Riley Greene poised for big seasons while stars Bo Bichette and Jose Ramirez carry the heavy load.

The Devils acquired right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (3/$1) earlier in the day, potentially filling the final slot in their starting rotation though a decision on the activation of James Kaprielian (Minors) has yet to be made according to sources.

TRADE: Hops Acquire Jansen from Fish

The Meinert Hops locked up their catcher spot Monday afternoon, acquiring catcher Danny Jansen (2/$2) from the Spokane Fightin' Fish for a 2023 3rd Round Pick (40th Overall).

Jansen had two month-long stints on the injured list during 2022 due to an oblique strain and a broken finger, and he finished the regular season having played in 72 games. He started behind the plate Opening Day but didn't appear to have much job security with Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno also in the mix for playing time, but Jansen produced an .855 OPS with 15 home runs and 44 RBI, and he also improved his strikeout rate nearly four percentage points. He now has a .253 ISO over the past two years, which covers a stretch of 142 contests. Kirk also delivered a strong offensive campaign with a .285/.372/.415 slash line in 139 contests while splitting time between catcher and designated hitter.

Jansen's availability is somewhat of a question mark since he's missed significant time each of the past two seasons, but when available he's hit with power. The Blue Jays sent Moreno to the Diamondbacks, though the major return piece, Daulton Varsho, can also play catcher though it appears that the focus will be on keeping him in the outfield.

That then could turn focus to Brandon Belt who is expected to be the primary DH but brings a checkered injury history to the table as well.

TRADE: Fish Acquire Arias from Stacks

The Spokane Fightin' Fish and Alamo Short Stacks made a deadline deal Monday with GM Michael Tirabassi announcing the acquisition of shortstop Roderick Arias (Minors) in exchange for a 2023 6th Round Pick (88th Overall).

MLB Pipeline's No. 1 prospect in the 2022 international class, Arias signed for $4 million out of the Dominican Republic. He may have the best all-around collection of tools among the Yankees' stockpile of shortstops, though he'll need time to develop.

Though Arias didn't post big numbers in his introduction to pro ball, he showed the ability to use the entire field and hit the ball hard from both sides of the plate. He may have returned too soon and tried to do too much once he did, but he displayed a quick bat, the ability to identify breaking balls and promising patience. He drew walks at a 20 percent rate and could develop plus power once he gains more strength and experience.

Beyond his offensive upside, Arias has exciting all-around ability. He has run the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds, should be at least a plus runner even after he fills out his 6-foot-2 frame and is aggressive on the bases. With his quickness, instincts, smooth actions and a plus-plus arm, he's a no-doubt shortstop according to scouts.

The Stacks are now expected to retain just three prospects, leaving them with 14 selections in the RDBL Reserve Draft.