Team Needs
Alamo Short Stacks, Idaho Taters, Honolulu Hammerheads, Cloverdale Clovers, Meinert Hops
Top Free Agent: Jose Altuve
Currently on a 2/$47 option with the Las Vegas Aristocrats, Jose Altuve is expected to be cut in the coming weeks but will still top the Free Agent rankings as second base when he officially becomes a Free Agent. Despite a disastrous 2020 season that saw him his .219, Altuve bounced back in October with a .350/.500/.729 slash line along with five home runs, matching his regular season total. With a shallow group available at the position, Altuve should still have plenty of interest across the RDBL and is a strong bet to be the highest paid player at the position again in 2021.
Under the Radar Free Agent: Dylan Moore
The typical script says rookies come up and do well, but then are prone to sophomore slumps. Dylan Moore flipped that script and followed up an underwhelming rookie season with a strong sophomore year. His rookie year was not terrible as the former UCF hitter showed power and speed, but a 55% success rate in steals was as bad as his .206 BA. He did better in both areas in 2020, but there is still more room for improvement in his stolen-base success rate as well as his strikeout rate. There is quite a bit of red ink on his StatCast page related to his ability to hit with authority around the strikeouts ,teasing there may be more in the third year. A late bloomer at 28 years old, Moore has dual eligibility and a guaranteed spot in the Seattle lineup, making him an intriguing target for 2021. His rookie year gave us a floor for the skill set. We may have yet to see his ceiling which CBS sees coming in 2021 with a 400 point projections.
Top Trade Candidate: Whit Merrifield (2/$38), Burlingame Blue Ducks
The Ducks have seen a hit in value to multiple players on their roster over the last 12 months with injuries and underperformance sapping their one deep crop of starting pitcher options. The club could look to utilize Whit Merrifield as an asset to help restock that group given the limited options available in Free Agency and the weakness of the position overall. Merrifield had another steady season at the plate, slashing .282/.325/.440 and is a career .295 hitter in what has been a remarkably consistent career.
Under the Radar Trade Candidate: Ryan McMahon (2R/$3), Cloverdale Clovers
McMahon has been a Clover-lifer, originally selected by the club in the 6th Round of the 2014 Draft and activated for the 2019 season. A down season in 2020 and a crowded Keeper List for a club with title aspirations could have McMahon on the move before Draft Day. With eligibility at first, second and third along with two years of control, McMahon would make sense for a rebuilding club or a roster seeking to round out their Keeper list with more positional flexibility. The Rockies appear set on steady playing time again for the former Mater Dei Monarch who also boasts Coors Field as his home.
Activations: *Keston Hiura (Grapes), Cavan Biggio ('Crats), Nico Hoerner (Falcons), Nick Madrigal (Falcons), Andres Gimenez (Jokers)
One of the main reasons the Free Agent Class at second base is so shallow is due to a young and emerging group of activation-ready players who have taken hold of the position for their respective MLB clubs. The activation group is headlined by two potential 400+ point contributors in Keston Hiura and Cavan Biggio. Hiura is locked into a 2021 activation after being added to the Grapes 2019 Active Roster for the Playoffs.
The Falcons boast a pair of young assets in Nick Madrigal and Nico Hoerner. A shoulder injury robbed Madrigal of steady playing time in 2020 but the line drive machine out of Oregon State appears ready to take the job on Opening Day.
The Jokers are short on young talent but Andres Gimenez has a chance to take hold as one of the club's core pieces. Thanks to a deal to Cleveland as part of the return for Francisco Lindor, Gimenez is set for an everyday role for the Tribe in 2021.
Potential Off-Season Deals
'Crats Acquire: 2B Whit Merrifield (2/$38)
Ducks Acquire: LHP Ryan Yarbrough (2/$1), OF Starling Marte (2/$31)
A good old fashion player for players deal with only a $6 difference in contracts could make this a logistical fit for both clubs. The Ducks are in need of more arms for their rotation while Shin-Soo Choo and Kyle Schwarber are far from the combo GM Ryan Walsh wants to enter Draft Day with in the outfield. Yarbrough would give the Ducks a controllable arm for just $1 while adding Marte who can step in as a steady 400 point contributor at a reasonable contract.
The 'Crats have been rumored to be in on Jose Ramirez but could change course and pay a little less in assets to acquire Merrifield instead. The flexibility of activation Cavan Biggio allows GM Nick Holz and Assistant GM Nick Kusanovich to target either third or second baseman as they look to round out their strong Keeper List.
Hops Acquire: Ryan McMahon (2R/$3)
Clovers Acquire: 2021 4th Round Pick (47th Overall)
While the underperformance of McMahon in 2020 won't have clubs lined up to acquire him, his contract and position flexibility make him a logical fit for a up and coming club. The Hops carry a number of boom or bust players on their roster entering 2021 and could use some depth in the middle infield where Elvis Andrus projects to be the only returnee.
The Clovers have a number of activation read players and will need to restock their Farm System while also looking to add starting pitching depth for their Active Roster in the Reserve Draft. Given the unpredictability of pitcher workload in 2021, GM Chris Shelley could leverage this selection for another upside arm that could boost their title chances this season.
2021 Free Agent Rankings
1 *Jose Altuve (Astros)
2. Max Muncy (Dodgers)
3. Jeff McNeil (Mets)
4. Jon Berti (Marlins)
5. Dylan Moore (Mariners)
6. Jake Cronenworth (Padres)
7. Tommy Edman (Cardinals)
8. *Jean Segura (Phillies)
9. Starlin Castro (Nationals)
10. Mike Moustakas (Reds)
11 Nick Solak (Rangers)
12. Mauricio Dubon (Giants)
13. *Rougned Odor (Rankgers)
14. *Jonathan Villar (Mets)
15. Ty France (Mariners)
*Projected to be dropped from Current RDBL Contract
Comments