TRADE: Clovers, Ducks Agree to Four Player Deal

The Cloverdale Clovers and Burlingame Blue Ducks quietly executed a four player deal Thursday morning with the Clovers acquiring right-hander Cristian Javier (3/$6) and reliever Jhoan Duran (2FA/$5) from the Ducks for prospects Taj Bradley (Minors), Alek Thomas (Minors) and 1st Round (7th Overall) and 2nd Round (22nd Overall) picks.

After throwing only 101.1 innings in 2021, Cristian Javier started the year in the bullpen with the intention of conserving innings for the playoffs. The plan worked perfectly as Javier ended up starting 25 of his 30 appearances, compiling 148.2 frames before dominating in the postseason. He posted 489.0 points in 2022 and carries a 502.0 projection for 2023.

The addition of Javier will mark a full starting rotation for the Clovers entering the 2023 Draft with Michael Kopech (2R/$3), Miles Mikolas (2D/$5), Tyler Glasnow (2/$2), Dustin May (2/$1) and Jesus Luzardo (3R/$5) rounding out a group who is owed just $22 in 2023. That should make GM Chris Shelley a heavy favorite to land two major impact bats in Auction.

Jhoan Duran impressed the Twins during spring training and made the Opening Day roster as part of the bullpen. It was a role change for the career-long starter, but the rookie adapted quickly and was dominant from the outset. Duran threw a league-leading 392 pitches at 100 mph or greater while averaging a ridiculous 101 mph on his 4-seamer. He complimented his fastball with a knee buckling curve (49.7% whiff percentage) that served as his primary strikeout pitch, leading to a 33.5% strikeout rate. Duran also induced plenty of ground balls (61%) while limiting his free passes (6%) to finish with impressive ratios. With Minnesota struggling to hold leads in the late innings, Duran earned high leverage opportunities rather quickly. He tallied 18 holds on the season along with eight saves, making him increasingly valuable with the addition of 1.0 points in the RDBL for holds.

The Ducks were the lone club shut out of each of the four Top 100 Prospect Lists which changes with their addition of prized right-hander Taj Bradley. Bradley put up an ERA north of 2.00 for the first time since 2019 when he logged a 3.66 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB in 12 starts (59 innings) at Triple-A. His 177.2-inning stretch from Single-A to High-A to Double-A across 2021 and 2022 where he kept his ERA under 2.00 with a 0.92 WHIP and 211:49 K:BB is one of the best prolonged statistical runs a pitching prospect has had in recent memory. All the while, Bradley has had his top two pitches down -- a mid-90s fastball with good life and a hard cutter that eats hitters up. He still hasn't added a reliable third offering, but his athleticism and command are well ahead of the typical 21-year-old starting pitcher. The Rays enter the season without need of Bradley's services in the rotation, so he should return to Triple-A for at least a month or two to try to develop a third pitch he can use when he makes his big-league debut this summer.

Alek Thomas opened the season with Triple-A Reno, but after posting a .936 OPS in 27 games, he was called up to the Bigs. Thomas also ended the season with the Aces as he was sent down towards the end to work on pitch recognition. Thomas' game is frequently putting the ball in play, mostly on the ground. Through August 31, he recorded a .285 BABIP. However, it plummeted to .146 in September, prompting his demotion. With limited power and speed, Thomas needs grounders to find holes to be productive. His defense is good, but he'll need to hit to sustain playing time in a crowded and talented Diamondbacks outfield.

With the addition of the 1st and 2nd Round Picks, the Ducks are now set to hold four of the top 26 selections in the 2023 Reserve Draft.

TRADE: Stacks, Falcons Swap Bart for Lux

The Alamo Short Stacks and Maltese Falcons completed a simple two-player swap on late Wednesday night with the Stacks acquiring infielder Gavin Lux (2R/$3) from the Falcons for catcher Joey Bart (Minors).

Lux was quietly pacing towards a breakthrough season with a .297/.373/.439 line through August 22. He then was bothered by neck and back issues, dropping his numbers to .162/.197/.191 line for the rest of the season. Lux hit fewer fly balls and his HR/FB dropped to a career-low 6.2%, but the added groundballs fueled a career-best .341 BABIP. Lux knocked a career-high 20 doubles, so despite a dip in home runs, his ISO and slugging were new personal bests.

With a cleared out Dodgers depth chart, Lux is slotted in as the everyday shortstop in Los Angeles which was a position of need for the Stacks after Brendan Rodgers lost eligibility there. The move to add Lux could signal the release of catcher Will Smith (2/$31), saving the Stacks $28 in cap space for the 2023 Auction.

The Stacks now project to have seven openings, two of which are relievers, for $133 in cap space. The $19.00/opening is the second highest in the RDBL, only trailing the Lake Merced Goutfish ($20.00/opening).

The retirement of Buster Posey opened the path to a starting role for Joey Bart, but the young catcher was unable to take advantage and had a .215/.296/.364 slash line with 11 home runs and 25 RBI in 97 games. He had a 38.5 percent strikeout rate but made strides defensively and was above average behind the plate. Barring a standout performance in spring training, Bart figures to open 2023 splitting catching duties with Roberto Perez (who signed with the Giants in January) but will be given lots of rope to run with the primary role. His approach improved in the second half while also favoring his home park (.254/.336/.426 at Oracle vs. .180/.260/.309 on the road).

The move to add Bart likely spells the release or trade of Jonah Heim (2FA/$5), allowing the Falcons to fill one of their two Keepers spots with an activation. The move and subtraction of Lux will likely push two of Sonny Gray (2/$22), Max Muncy (3/$17) and Mitch Haniger (3/$11) back into the plans for 2023 though the Falcons appear far from done making moves.

Rumor Central: Fish Plans Come Into Focus

The Spokane Fightin' Fish certainly lit a fuse on the off-season trade market Tuesday as they acquired the top scoring hitter and the second scoring pitcher from last season in a blockbuster move with the Mission Viejo Maulers.

Following the move, things are starting to come into focus as the Franchise has vaulted into clear title contention for the 2023 season.

- The club is currently planning on retaining Cal Raleigh (2FA/$5) and Mitch Garver (3/$8) behind the plate, leaving Danny Jansen (2/$2) as a potential trade candidate. Garver was mentioned as a top trade candidate in the Catching Market Overview late last month, but seems to have hopped over Jansen for now internally with the Fish.

- Fresh off a breakout season, corner infielder Yandy Diaz (2D/$5) is available in trade talks as a crowded Keeper Roster could push him out the door. Diaz is eligible at both first and third base and is projected for 347.5 points after posting 371.5 last season. Diaz should have a strong market before Draft Day with the Asti Grape Stompers, Burlingame Blue Ducks, Honolulu Hammerheads, Meinert Hops and Idaho Taters all potential fits.

- Both Gerrit Cole (3/$73) and Shane Bieber (2/$58) are currently out of the running for Keeper spots according to sources close to Tirabassi. Cole has been rumored to be heading for Free Agency for much of the Winter but Bieber could be a surprise addition to an already elite Free Agent Class provided he's not moved before Draft Day.

- There were few bigger surprises in 2022 than Martin Perez (2FA/$5) who came out of nowhere to produce 495.0 points. While he's currently projected for 396.0 this season, Perez is on the market with Tirabassi reportedly not buying into the surprise season. It would be a surprise to see Perez reach Free Agency given his $5 contract for 2023 making him a potential fit for the Las Vegas Aristocrats, Idaho Taters and Honolulu Hammerheads who could be in the market for an additional arm.

Around the RDBL

- As news of the Cloverdale Clovers offer for Judge and Verlander leaked, there was a great deal of surprise in GM Chris Ferraro's decision to take the Fish offer over a package of Marco Luciano, Taj Bradley and Alek Thomas and four 2023 picks including a pair of 1st Rounders. More GMs were reportedly surprised that Fish first baseman Vinny Pasquantino (1R/$1) was not included in the deal though his 2022 Playoff activation was reportedly a concern for Ferraro who is planning a full rebuild.

- The Maulers attempted to pivot talks with the Clovers to Nolan Arenado (2/$38) after turning down their offer but were quickly turned away according to sources. The Maulers are reportedly seeking a high profile prospect and early round selection in return for Arenado.

- The Maulers completed a similar overhaul in 2021 when they were actively shopping and trading players on Draft Night. The league instituted a "Trade Freeze" for future seasons shortly after, limiting trade activity until after Period 1 to prevent a repeat of a full firesale during the Draft.

While Ferraro will have to wait, expect most of their Active Roster to be on the trade block quickly in 2023 as the seek better results with their second full scale rebuild in three seasons.

- With pitchers and catchers set to report next week, GM Ross Horiuchi is getting quite nervous with expected Keeper Jurickson Profar (2D/$5) still yet to sign with a big league club. If his Free Agency lags further, expect the Hammerheads to jump into the trade market for additional bats with potential keeper Jose Iglesias (2FA/$5) also not signed.

- The Alamo Short Stacks are largely set on their 2023 Keeper Roster but continue to mull decisions around their catching group. The club acquired Joey Bart (Minors) while also holding Will Smith (2/$31) and activation-ready Luis Campusano (Minors). Bart has already drawn trade interest after being dealt to the Stacks from the St. Joseph Jokers last week, but the club is still evaluating their options for 2023.