Rumor Central: With Trout Sidelined, Hops Favorite for Freeman, Springer

The Meinert Hops have a gaping hole in their lineup with Mike Trout (back) sidelined. That has GM Garrett Shelley on the hunt for offensive help as they club looks to clinch their first post-season berth in Franchise History. According to sources, the club was actively engaged with the Lunatic Fringe who started their sale late Tuesday night which is likely to continue with the availability for Freddie Freeman (3/$48) and George Springer (3/$34).

Trout's absence not only leaves a hole in production, but provides the Hops with a great deal of cap flexibility. The Hops also have some significant firepower to deal from in their Farm System. While Michael Harris (Minors) is likely off-limits and in line for a Playoff activation, the likes of Henry Davis, CJ Abrams, Brett Baty and Jacob Berry could all be potential leads in a deal.

The Hops won't be alone in their pursuit of Freeman and Springer as the Maltese Falcons, Burlingame Blue Ducks and Mission Viejo Maulers have all been in contact with the Fringe as well according to sources.

Around the RDBL

- With the Lake Merced Goutfish loading up and passing the Burlingame Blue Ducks for the final Wild Card spot as of Wednesday afternoon, GM Ryan Walsh has put out feelers for a potential sale despite being just ~60 points out. The potential sale could include right-hander Cristian Javier (2FA/$5) and infielder Gleyber Torres (3R/$5) according to sources close to the club.

- If the Ducks shift back into buy-mode, Honolulu Hammerheads hitters Carlos Correa (3/$37) and Rhys Hoskins (2/$25) could emerge as potential fits for Walsh in pursuit of the Playoffs.

Looking Ahead: Idaho Taters

It has been a shaky year in Idaho to say the least as a club that entered Draft Day as a potential contender looks set to finish in 15th place for the second consecutive season while ranking last in both hitting and pitching at the All-Star Break. The pressure from Taters fans pushed GM Mike Friedrich to announce his retirement in early June, only to change direction and announce that he will return for the 2023 season on Sunday.

A five player activation class and substantial cap space made the Taters a sleeper entering Draft Day. Virtually everything went wrong from there for Friedrich with their activation class:

- Casey Mize: 5.40 ERA, Tommy John Surgery

- Jo Adell: .269 OBP, Sent to Triple-A before recently returning

- Spencer Torkelson: .197/.282/.295, sent to Triple-A last week

- Brendan Rodgers: .170 average through mid-May, dealt to Alamo Short Stacks

Sean Ryan Murphy fortunately does look the part of core piece of the Taters future as he's on pace for a near 300 point season.

Unfortunately that wasn't the end of the wave of difficulties for Friedrich. The club surrendered a 2022 1st Round Pick for Eduardo Rodriguez who posted 4.38 ERA in 39.0 innings before leaving the Tigers for personal reasons and hasn't contacted the team since early June.

The combined $62 investment in Jose Berrios (5.62 ERA, traded to Grapes) and Joey Gallo (.175/.281/.329, Released) crushed any chance for success while the $75 combined investment in Trevor Story and Alex Bregman has been solid, yet unspectacular.

The result is a likely blank slate for Friedrich and the Taters entering 2023.

Catching

Sean Ryan Murphy (1R/$1) will prevent the club's activation class from being a total disaster as the backstop is on pace for almost 300 points and should settle in as a Top 10-15 option at catcher through 2024. Things haven't been as positive for 2021 activation Carson Kelly (2R/$3) who has slashed just .194/.236/.328 and currently is viewed as a drop this off-season.

Infield

Jose Altuve (2/$25) continues to serve as the foundational piece of the Taters roster as the second baseman is on pace for a second consecutive 400+ point season.

Things have gone about as bad as possible for Spencer Torkelson (1R/$1) in his first big league season, but the outlook remains strong despite the results so far. Outside of starting 2023 in the Minor Leagues, Torkelson will return for the 2023 season with hopes of a big rebound for the former top prospect.

The club will face difficult choices on Alex Bregman (1/$36) and Trevor Story (1/$39), both major Auction investments this year. While both have been solid, the RDBL Free Agent Class for 2023 is expected to be the best in recent memory which could bring down their value.

After a breakout 2021 campaign, first baseman Jared Walsh (2/$10) has regressed in almost every area with a rough .280 OBP vs. .340 last season. His contract should buy him another year, but the Taters will carefully monitor his 2nd Half with hopes of a better approach.

Isaac Paredes (1FA/$5) could be a player to watch as his power has shined in Tampa Bay but his .297 OBP leaves a lot to be desired. Additionally, the club will continue to watch Owen Miller (1FA/$5) who has slowed down considerably since his red-hot start but still could provide value for 2023.

On the prospect front, 2022 acquisition Nolan Gorman (Minors) has had a strong debut for the St. Louis Cardinals with a .241/.320/.444 line with nine home runs and is certainly in line for an Opening Day activation for 2023.

Outfield

The Taters have a pair of outfielders to build around as Brandon Nimmo (2/$16) and Austin Hays (2R/$3) have both had strong years at the plate and provide exceptional contract value.

The club will need to see more out of Jo Adell (1R/$1) to warrant a Keeper spot in 2023. With the Angels scuffling, he should get plenty of chances in the 2nd Half to prove he belongs.

Michael Conforto (1D/$5) will be one of the more interesting players to watch entering 2023 after missing all of this season following shoulder surgery.

The club will hope Brennan Davis (Minors) can get back to the field following a back injury last month. His numbers at Triple-A were quite rough with a .195 average and 34.1% strikeout rate, so another season of experience might be in line for the Cubs prospect before a potential activation.

Pitching Staff

With Kevin Gausman out the door in a mid-season deal and Jordan Montgomery set for Free Agency, the Taters will need to address a currently shallow crop of starting pitching options for 2023. The club invested a 2022 1st Rounder in Eduardo Rodriguez (2/$14) who has now been away from the Tigers for personal reasons since early June, making it hard to believe he will regain enough value to be worth the $14 investment next season.

Free Agent Claim Spencer Strider (1FA/$5) likely has the most current value as the right-hander boasts a 3.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 74.0 innings.

Outside of Strider, the club will hold options on Mike Soroka (1D/$5) who continues to build his way back from a second achilles injury while young right-hander Brayan Bello (1FA/$5) could emerge as a back-end option.

On the prospect front, Matt Manning (Minors) looked to have turned a corner to start 2022 before a shoulder injury sidelined him. He's expected to return and push for an Opening Day nod in 2023 for the Taters.

Matt Liberatore (Minors) has had the opportunity to get his feet wet in 27 innings while Jack Leiter (Minors) could shake off a rough season at Double-A and become a potential option next year as well.

Farm System

Turning the page to 2023 might have started on Sunday as a pair of Taters prospects were Top 10 picks with Jackson Holliday and Gavin Cross finding their new big league clubs. The overall group is led by Nolan Gorman who looks locked into a 2023 Opening Day role while Matt Liberatore, Matt Manning, Jack Leiter, Vidal Brujan and Brennan Davis could all play their way into consideration to join Gorman.

Marcelo Mayer might be the true prize of the Farm System as he looks the part of a future cornerstone piece in Boston.

Given the aggressive activations that didn't pay off in 2022, it will be interesting to see how Friedrich manages this group going into 2023.

Current 2023 Taters Projected Keepers

*With 2023 Contract Status, Ranked by Value

1 2B Jose Altuve (3/$25)

2. OF Austin Hays (3R/$5)

3. OF Brandon Nimmo (3/$16)

4. C Sean Murphy (2R/$3)

5. 2B Nolan Gorman (1R/$1)

6. 1B Spencer Torkelson (2R/$3)

7. RHP Spencer Strider (2FA/$5)

8. OF Michael Conforto (2D/$5)

9. 1B Jared Walsh (3/$10)

10. RHP Mike Soroka (2D/$5)

11. RHP Matt Manning (1R/$1)

12. LHP Matthew Liberatore (1R/$1)

13. OF Jo Adell (2R/$3)

Current 2023 Draft Picks

1st Round Pick from Falcons (Gausman)

3rd Round Pick from Grapes (Berrios)

5th Round Pick from Stacks (Rodgers)

Rumor Central: Maulers Expected to Pivot to Scherzer, Marte and Semien

The Mission Viejo Maulers cleared out some cap space Tuesday morning, finalizing a deal with the St. Joseph Jokers to acquire Nate Eovaldi (2/$1) while moving Giancarlo Stanton (2/$31) off the books. According to sources, GM Chris Ferraro is expected to quickly pivot to talks with the Las Vegas Aristocrats with eyes on Max Scherzer (3/$68), Starling Marte (3/$31) and Marcus Semien (3/$3).

The Maulers entered the All-Star Break in fifth place, but just 1.5 points behind fourth place and 128.0 back of the third place Spokane Fightin' Fish who lead the Masters Division.

The Maulers Farm System has seen a dramatic rise in value this season with right-hander Max Meyer recently making his debut, Josh Jung getting closer to a return and potential 2023 activation and William Contreras having an unexpected All-Star season behind the plate. Additionally, the MLB Draft was a boon for Ferraro with Kumar Rocker being selected 3rd overall while shortstop Brooks Lee was taken 8th.

Any combination of those assets would be a strong return for the 'Crats in a potential deal.

Around the RDBL

- The Lake Merced Goutfish reached out to multiple contenders Monday letting them know that there is a plan in place where they will sell if they are more than 100 points out late in July. The group could include Josh Bell (2/$27) who ranks 7th in overall hitter scoring.

The Goutfish due remain in buy mode in the immediate future and have had preliminary discussions on buy-low Grapes starters Trevor Rogers (2FA/$5) and Marcus Stroman (3/$6) according to sources.

- The Honolulu Hammerheads have a solid understanding of what the market would be for Corbin Burnes (3R/$5) along with their other expiring deals, but the expectation around the league is that GM Ross Horiuchi will hold firm and make a run for the final Wild Card spot pending a healthy return of Jacob deGrom.

- The Burlingame Blue Ducks have a glaring need on the offensive side as the club leads the league in pitcher scoring but ranks 14th in hitter scoring while slashing just .248/.321/.412. At a quick glance, the club is currently starting five hitters that are owned in 32% or fewer CBS leagues offering multiple areas for GM Ryan Walsh to pursue an upgrade.

The club could also aggressively look within their club with prospects Luis Garcia and Nolan Jones both performing well at the big league level.