The 2021 Trade Market has been a quiet one to date due to a depth of contenders we haven't seen in RDBL History. As the race continues to tighten for the six coveted Playoff spots, six clubs are fully bought in as sellers heading into the August 1st Trade Deadline. Here's an overview of who is available and what clubs could be seeking in return over the next three weeks.
Meinert Hops
The Hops have suffered through some of league's worst injury luck, losing substantial time for Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Luis Robert, John Means and Carlos Carrasco while 2nd overall Reserve pick CJ Abrams is also out for the year. That has left GM Garrett Shelley in a tough spot as they sit in last place while trying to figure out if a roster can be constructed around a $71 outfielder.
The club has developed some pieces to build around as Jake Cronenworth, Luis Urias and Shane McClanahan have emerged as core pieces for the 2022 roster alongside Trout, Robert and Carrasco.
Off-Limits: IF Jake Cronenworth (1/$12), IF/OF Andrew Vaughn (1R/$1),
Best Available: RHP Taijuan Walker (2FA/$5), LHP John Means (2FA/$5), OF/1B Trey Mancini (2FA/$5)
The positive for Shelley is that the club has three of the more appealing trade options on final year deals for $5 as Taijuan Walker, John Means and Trey Mancini should all generate strong interest in the next three weeks. The Hops are reportedly seeking activation-ready talent in return while favoring high minors prospects as opposed to draft picks in talks.
St. Joseph Jokers
The Jokers built a strong and capable offense on Draft Day but the pitching staff has limped behind, posting a league-low 1267.0 points entering play Friday with a 4.14 Team ERA. The club is in a tough spot as GM Rick Steen must decide if standout veterans Kyle Gibson (1FA/$5) and Buster Posey (1/$12) are core pieces of the 2022 roster or sell-high candidates for this year.
While the $49 investment in Trea Turner looks to be strong, Christian Yelich's $59 deal looks to be regrettable and could be a candidate to be moved before the deadline.
Off-Limits: SS Trea Turner (1/$49), C Buster Posey (1/$12)
Best Available: 3B Kyle Seager (2FA/$5), OF Christian Yelich (1/$59)
A currently soft market for sellers could keep Gibson and Posey in Jokers uniforms past the August 1st Trade Deadline but if things heat up, look for them to be on the move. Clubs looking for depth in the corners will have interest in Seager while a club looking to make a larger splash could entertain taking on Yelich's major contract with control through 2023.
Mission Viejo Maulers
GM Chris Ferraro had 2022 on his mind on Draft Day and it has been a bit of mixed bag on their results. Dustin May (elbow), Noah Syndergaard (elbow) and Kyle Lewis (knee) have all had setbacks while Miles Mikolas and Corey Kluber don't look like the supreme values they appeared to be back in March. The club has uncovered some controllable talent as Aaron Civale, Aaron Judge, Cedric Mullins, Willy Adames, Jesus Aguilar and recent addition Corey Seager look to be part of the team's next core.
The club continues to bank on the return to health for Syndergaard, Justin Verlander and Mike Clevinger who are penciled in with Civale for a promising rotation in 2022.
Off-Limits: RHP Aaron Civale (1/$14)
Best Available: RP Mark Melancon (1FA/$5)
The Maulers continue to be open to any and all trade offers with Mark Melancon ranking as the most likely to be moved before the deadline. The club continues to prioritize controllable bats in talks while open to continue adding draft selections that can be used to build up their Keeper List for 2022 in the off-season.
Idaho Taters
When they traded Trevor Story on Draft Day, it was clear GM Mike Friedrich had his eyes on building for 2022. The club has built some impressive depth in the starting rotation that could be of interest to clubs before the deadline. Friedrich has just two expiring deals (JD Davis and Dallas Keuchel) on their roster, allowing the club to have some flexibility in their plans over the next three weeks.
Kevin Gausman, Carson Kelly, Sean Murphy and German Marquez have taken big steps forward while the Farm System looks strong with Spencer Torkelson, Jo Adell and Casey Mize putting together strong seasons while Marcelo Mayer looks to be the top overall pick in next week's MLB Draft.
Off-Limits: RHP Kevin Gausman (1/$17), 2B Jose Altuve (1/$25), 1B Jared Walsh (1/$10)
Best Available: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2FA/$5), IF/OF JD Davis (2FA/$5), OF David Peralta (1/$15), OF Max Kepler (1/$14)
With just two expiring deals, Friedrich is in no rush to decimate their current roster but remains open to discussing any deal possible. Due to the club's pitching depth, the Taters are reportedly focused on adding to their group of hitters with options that can make their 2022 Keeper List. The club has significant salary cap space and could be a player for taking on a substantial contract either before the deadline or this off-season.
Maltese Falcons
The Falcons have been one of the more active clubs this season in the trade market, adding strong assets in Kyle Tucker and Gavin Lux in early season deals. Draft Day additions Zack Wheeler, Mitch Haniger and Max Muncy look to be foundational players heading into 2022 while the Farm System looks to be on the cusp of producing multiple activation-ready players.
Closer Ryan Pressley is the only expiring deal on the Falcons roster leaving GM Gary Falzon and Assistant GM Erik Nielsen open to more creative deals before the deadline.
Off-Limits: RHP Zach Wheeler (1/$25), OF Mitch Haniger (1/$11), IF Max Muncy (1/$17)
Best Available: RP Ryan Pressley (2FA/$5), IF Jonathan Schoop (1/$5)
Pressley is a strong bet to be moved while the Falcons could look to capitalize on a resurgent year from Jonathan Schooop who can cover first and second for a contender. Anthony Rizzo (1/$31) has likely played himself out of the club's plans for 2022 and could also be fetched for a reasonable deal for a contender that could take on his contract.
Burlingame Blue Ducks
While many sellers are not facing a wave of expiring deals, GM Ryan Walsh is in quite a different situation. With a wave of players back from their 2019 RDBL Championship, the Ducks have a number of players set to hit the Free Agent market at season's end. That figures to lead to a flurry of moves over the next three weeks provided the trade market heats up.
Few players figure to draw as much attention as shortstop Xander Bogaerts (3/$31) while Miguel Sano, Kolten Wong, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Minor, Dinelson Lamet and Matt Boyd are all set to expire as well.
Off-Limits: OF Kyle Schwarber (2/$6), IF/OF Kris Bryant (1/$24)
Best Available: SS Xander Bogaerts (3/$31), IF Miguel Sano (2FA/$5), IF Kolten Wong (2FA/$5), RHP Jake Odorizzi (2FA/$5), LHP Mike Minor (2FA/$5), RHP Dinelson Lamet (2FA/$5), LHP Matt Boyd (2FA/$5)
The Ducks are looking like a club who could use an overhaul which could make strong assets like Brandon Crawford (1FA/$5), Gleybar Torres (2R/$3) and Paul Goldschmidt (1/$35) potentially available. Anything and everything seems to be on the table for the Ducks as they look to turn the page on their 2019 Championship and build another contender in Burlingame.
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