The off-season will begin on Monday for nine Roger Dorn Baseball League Franchises with their Front Offices turning the page to 2023 planning. A look forward at 2023 Projected Keeper Rosters is already revealing areas of strengths and weaknesses across the RDBL as well as a number of potential trade candidates before the 2023 Draft.
Here's a trade candidate this off-season for every RDBL Franchise:
C Willson Contreras (2/$23), Asti Grape Stompers
Could the top scoring catcher be on the move for the second consecutive off-season? GM Terry Shelley would prefer to build around Contreras, and just might stick with that strategy given the depth of the 2023 Free Agent Class, but the current Grapes roster lacks depth that could be fixed by moving the star backstop. With Francisco Alvarez potentially ready for an Opening Day activation, the Grapes could afford to take a hit at catcher while addressing other areas of need.
RHP Brandon Woodruff (2/$38), Alamo Short Stacks
A rough start to the season dogged Woodruff as a potential bust, but the 2021 breakout has returned to form for more than 3 months, posting a 2.55 ERA and 1.07 WHIP since May 15th over 74.0 innings. The Stacks have historically favored salary cap flexibility making Woodruff or Manny Machado (1/$43) potential candidates to be moved this off-season.
C Salvador Perez (2/$16), Burlingame Blue Ducks
The Ducks were as active as any club leading into the RDBL Trade Deadline with a focus on securing one of the final Wild Card spots this year. That push often leads to some interesting Keeper decisions the following season for players that carry control over to the next season. That leaves GM Ryan Walsh with Salvador Perez and J.T. Realmuto making a combined $44, a number that is considerably high considering the Free Agent Class available. Realmuto has been the steadier performer but his name could be swapped for Perez's considering he's owed $28 ($12 more than Perez).
LHP Jesus Luzardo (2R/$3), Cloverdale Clovers
Luzardo will be entering his 3R/$5 season in 2023 and outside of a lengthy IL stint, has largely cashed in on his enormous potential in 2022. Another strong start this week has him sitting at a 3.44 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 52.0 innings. The Clovers would love to retain him but the starting rotation looks quite crowded as Luzardo sits behind the pecking order of Dustin May, Miles Mikolas, Tyler Glasnow, Michael Kopech and potential activation Edward Cabrera.
RHP Ian Anderson (3R/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads
There's no sugar-coating Anderson's 2022 season - it was a disaster with a 5.00 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. But the former top prospect has strong pedigree and could have his name called again by the Braves down the stretch. If he can recoup value, it's not a stretch for someone to take a shot on Anderson to round out their rotation going into 2023.
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2/$13), Idaho Taters
Rodriguez just returned after a three month hiatus for personal reasons from the Detroit Tigers. The arm talent remains as Rodriguez has posted three 19+ point starts over his last four appearances. A strong finish to the season could certainly earn him a spot back with the Taters who coughed up a 2022 1st Round Pick to the Asti Grape Stompers for him. But the three month leave could have GM Mike Friedrich looking to free himself from the headache.
1B Matt Olson (1/$46), Lake Merced Goutfish
With a loaded Free Agent Class set for 2023, it is quite tempting to think the grass might be greener with a top-tier Auction draft pick. Olson is on pace for a 450 point season, short of the 483.0 points he posted in 2021. Always looking to wheel and deal in the off-season, don't be surprised if Olson finds himself at the center of Rumor Central before Draft Day.
RHP Shane Baz (1/$21), Las Vegas Aristocrats
Baz was among the hottest names on Draft Day as one of the rare top prospects who are Auction eligible, joining Dylan Carlson, Tarik Skubal and others from past seasons in the RDBL. Injuries have limited Baz to just 27.0 innings this season. A 5.00 ERA on the surface leaves little to be desired for $21, but a deeper look reveals a 2.92 ERA entering his last start against the Reds when he posted a -30.0 while very likely pitching through his elbow injury. A return to health in Spring Training will make him an interesting name on the Trade Market with the Asti Grape Stompers serving as a potential suitor.
RHP Lucas Giolito (2R/$3), Lunatic Fringe
Giolito is somehow just on his 2R/$3 despite making his big league debut in 2016 and was expected to be at the foundation of a strong Fringe Roster. Unfortunately Giolito has been one of the league's biggest busts, posting a 5.34 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 22 starts. With a pair of 450+ point seasons in 2021 and 2019, there's plenty of track record to work from and a $5 contract for 2023 could make him a potential buy-low candidate.
C Jonah Heim (1FA/$5), Maltese Falcons
The Falcons have a knack for cashing in talent at the peak of their value and could find a suitor for 2022 breakout Jonah Heim who ranks 10th in scoring among all catchers this season. With a crowded Keeper Roster where spots will be tight, the Falcons could look to fill both catcher spots in Auction making Heim a potential trade candidate.
2023 1st Round Pick, Meinert Hops
The Hops are getting a taste of contention this season, regardless of how the race for the final Wild Card spot shakes out. If they do come up short, GM Garrett Shelley will hold the rights to the top overall pick and the rights to select top available prospect Jackson Chourio. With Shohei Ohtani, Shane McClanahan, Zac Gallen and Andrew Vaughn expected to return, that first overall pick could bring back quite a big league haul to put the Hops right back in the mix again in 2023.
3B Alex Bregman (1/$36), Mission Viejo Maulers
Bregman has been among the hottest hitters in baseball over the last month, slashing .378/.453/.730 and is set to break past the 20 home run mark for the first time since 2019. A former 500+ point player, Bregman looks to have returned to form with a current 430.0 projection for the remainder of the season. If he can continue to showcase his power, Bregman should generate enough interest even at $36 to be a trade candidate this Winter with the Maulers likely to focus on building around Aaron Judge ($31) and Nolan Arenado ($38) among others on offense.
2023 1st Round Pick, Mt. Diablo Devils
Injuries and under-performance crippled the Devils almost immediately in 2022, but plenty of talent remains on the roster for a reinvestment in the current group. With Jose Ramirez and Bryce Harper serving as the two pillars of the offense, the club will hold exceptional values on Bo Bichette, Wander Franco, Merrill Kelly and Cal Quantrill while Riley Greene, Cade Cavalli, Michael Busch, Luis Perdomo, Nick Lodolo and James Kaprielian will all serve as potential Opening Day options. That could push GM Jason Watson to supplement the current group through the trade market and make one of their top assets, their 2023 1st Round Pick, a potential bargaining chip.
2023 1st Round Pick (From Heads), Spokane Fightin' Fish
The Spokane Fightin' Fish have a long history of aggressively flipping early round picks which could be a likely move for GM Michael Tirabassi again this off-season. The Fish scooped up the 1st Round Pick of the Honolulu Hammerheads in a mid-season deal with the selection currently projected to be 3rd overall. The Fish are set to lose a number of key veteran pieces to Free Agency but have substantial cap space to play with due to a young core with at least four players on a Rookie contract in 2023. That could have Tirabassi chasing a big "Fish" this off-season while dangling their early 1st Round pick in exchange.
C Joey Bart (Minors), St. Joseph Jokers
The Jokers will hold the rights to three potential starting caliber catchers in Joey Bart, Gabriel Moreno and MJ Melendez, leaving one as a potential bargaining chip to improve other spots on the roster. Bart has slashed .316/.350/.544 over the last 57 at-bats and could bring back the most value on the off-season trade market.
