Team Needs:
Asti Grape Stompers, Cloverdale Clovers, Lunatic Fringe, St. Joseph Jokers, Spokane Fightin' Fish, Meinert Hops
Top Free Agent: Trea Turner, Nationals
Turner continued to be a five-category contributor in 2020 while taking it to a new level that makes him the top available shortstop in 2021. Since making his MLB debut in 2015, Turner has ranked in the 99th percentile or better for sprint speed, which has been used to steal 171 bases in 541 career games -- translates to 51 swipes over a 162-game season. Turner contributes enough power to be an asset in homers, too, ranking above-average in hard-hit rate and exit velocity over the last four seasons. He hit 19 homers in 2018 and 2019 and then hit 12 in 59 games in 2020. Despite the Nationals disappointing 2020 season, Turner still scored more runs than all but four other MLB players and ranked 15th in RBI to go along with his .335/.394/.588 slash line. The stat-stuffing shortstop should command $40+ in Auction.
Under the Radar Free Agent: Javier Baez, Cubs
The Grapes have quietly shopped Baez (2/$37) this off-season with limited hits which gives the indication that the slugger will be released before Draft Day. If he does hit the open market, Baez would be one of the more intriguing bounceback names for clubs seeking help in the middle infield. With poor plate skills, Baez has always had detractors, but even his staunchest naysayers couldn't have envisioned the depths to which he sunk last year. His already poor walk and strikeout rates worsened. He was always able to compensate with a high BABIP, but a drop in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and barrels torpedoed his 2020 mark over 80 points from recent seasons. Baez's hit distribution was along his career lines; he just didn't hit the ball with his usual authority. There's no telling how much of Baez's struggles were a sample-size anomaly or due to the unique conditions last summer. An extended track record of success, even with deficiencies, is more reliable than two months in trying conditions. Baez's draft cost will no doubt reflect the poor season, but that paves the way for a significant return on investment for those less risk-averse.
Top Trade Candidate: Xander Bogaerts (3/$31), Ducks
The Ducks recently completed their organizational meetings as things have sunk in on just how much value the club has lost over the last 12 months. With much of their depth gone, GM Ryan Walsh could look to shop Bogaerts who is entering the final year of his value-strong $31 contract. While Jose Ramirez netted a 1st Round Pick, Bogaerts would likely command more and could help bring back help for 2021 and the future for the Ducks.
Under the Radar Trade Candidate: Miguel Rojas (2FA/$5), Hammerheads
Much has been said about not putting a lot of stock in 2020 numbers but some Front Offices could zig when others are zagging and invest in the small sample size. Those groups would be all over Rojas who posted a .304/.392/.496 line in 40 games after being sidelined with COVID. He was the Marlins' most consistent hitter down the stretch and will play his final year of his $5 at age-32 if he's kept by the Heads or dealt before Draft Day.
Rojas is boxed in on the Heads roster as Carlos Correa and Corey Seager are fixed into the SS and MI spots and GM Ross Horiuchi is not likely to commit their U spot to a third player with only SS eligibility.
Activations: Fernando Tatis (Goutfish), Bo Bichette (Devils), Willy Adames (Maulers), Nico Hoerner (Devils), Andres Gimenez (Jokers)
With two years of activations bottled up, the RDBL is set to unleash a record amount of 1R/$1 players onto Active Rosters. Fernando Tatis, Jr. leads the group at shortstop after recently signing a record 14-year, $340 million deal to remain in San Diego through 2035. He will slot right into the Goutfish lineup with hopes of leading GM Ryan Atkinson's club to their first RDBL Championship during his 3-year run.
Bo Bichette is not far behind as the Devils shortstop has a pair of seasons under his belt and looks primed to help GM Jason Watson's team return to contention as he is joined by an up and coming group of prospects in Mt. Diablo.
Willy Adames is the last lock to be activated and already has 1,100 big league at-bats in his career. He looks to be a steady 350 point producer who might have a tick more upside as his power continues to develop.
Nico Hoerner will be in a battle to solidify an everyday role for the Cubs but even if he does, the rebuilding Falcons might want to slowplay their hand with him with eyes on 2022.
Andres Gimenez rounds out the group for the Jokers and was a key piece in the deal that sent Francisco Lindor to New York. With multi-positional eligibility, Gimenez is a RDBL GM's dream and should be a solid keeper through 2023 for GM Rick Steen.
Potential Pre-Draft Deals
Fringe Acquire: SS Xander Bogaerts (3/$31), 2021 3rd Round Pick (41st Overall)
Ducks Acquire: OF Jesse Winker (3R/$5), 1B Miguel Sano (2FA/$5), IF/OF Ryan Mountcastle (Minors), 2021 2nd Round Pick (29th Overall)
The Ducks are short on Keepers and could leverage Bogaerts into help now and later in a deal with the Lunatic Fringe who are trying to trim their deep Keeper List. Parting with Bogaerts won't be easy, but the return here would provide GM Ryan Walsh with three plug and play Keepers for 2021 along with control of Ryan Mountcastle through 2023. Moving up 12 picks in the draft will also allow Walsh a shot to infuse some needed upside into their Farm System.
The Fringe are a beast headed into 2021 and have Winker and Mountcastle in their plans, but the opportunity to add Bogaerts to the current group would be hard to pass up. The club is reportedly leaning towards dropping Charlie Blackmon (2/$47) which would free up the cap space to make the deal while still giving them plenty of flexibility on Draft Day.
Hops Acquire: SS Miguel Rojas (2FA/$5)
Heads Acquire: 2021 4th Round Pick (47th Overall)
The Hops are looking for some additional cost-certainty as they build their roster around Mike Trout. The club got a boost this week with rumors that star prospect Andrew Vaughn could be a favorite to make the Opening Day club which has GM Garrett Shelley focused on retaining Trout. Adding and additional cheap contract like Rojas while filling their MI spot for a reasonable asset like a 4th Rounder would allow Shelley to pass on what should be a competitive market for middle infielders in Auction.
The Heads are without 1st and 4th Rounders and would love to nab another pick for big league depth, specifically in the starting rotation. Nabbing the 2nd pick of the 4th Round would allow just that or give the Heads additional ammo in trade talks before Draft Day to land a Keeper in a bigger area of need.
2021 Free Agent Rankings
1. Trea Turner, Nationals
2. Tim Anderson, White Sox
3. Dansby Swanson, Braves
4. Javier Baez, Cubs
5. Jorge Polanco, Twins
6. Tommy Edman, Cardinals
7. Willi Castro, Tigers
8. Jake Cronenworth
9. Andrelton Simmons, Twins
10. Orlando Arcia, Brewers
11. Brandon Crawford, Giants
12. *Kevin Newman, Pirates
13. *Freddy Galvis, Orioles
14. Mauricio Dubon, Giants
15. *Jonathan Villar, Devils
*Currently Projected to be Dropped
Comments