We continue our early look at the 2022 Keeper Rosters with the next four teams to review. This round features three former RDBL Champions, including the Lake Merced Goutfish who will seek to become the league's first back to back champion in 2022.
You can find a full look at the 2022 Projected Keeper Rosters here.
Cloverdale Clovers
GM Chris Shelley will face a difficult choice in potentially cutting ties with homegrown backstop Francisco Mejia (2R/$3), but a crowded depth chart in Tampa Bay has Mejia's 2022 Keeper spot highly in doubt. 2021 Waiver Claim and recent Miami Marlins acquisition Jacob Stallings (2FA/$5) appears to be in safe position for one of the starting spots for the Clovers while the club monitors the handling of top prospect and former 1st Overall pick Adley Rutschman (Minors).
The Clovers gained additional roster flexibility as Mookie Betts (3/$58) earned second base eligibility late in 2021.
The Clovers were intrigued by Pavin Smith's (2FA/$5) strong 2021 campaign. With eligibility at both 1B and OF, he could serve as a cheaper alternative to Eric Hosmer (3/$18) for 2022.
Given their salary commitments on offense, the Clovers could explore deals for LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (2/$29) who was acquired from the Meinert Hops at the deadline last season.
If Ryu doesn't return, the final Keeper spot will likely be a battle between Huascar Ynoa (2FA/$5), Merrill Kelly (2FA/$5), Alex Reyes (2R/$3) and Jesus Luzardo (2R/$3) with each serving as potential trade candidates this off-season.
Edward Cabrera (Minors) and Michael Kopech (Minors) appear ready to help the Active Roster, though Cabrera could be brought along slowly by the Minors despite finishing 2021 in the Marlins rotation.
Their current projected Keeper Roster holds an average 2022 projection of 399.4, the highest mark in the RDBL.
Las Vegas Aristocrats
Max Scherzer's 3/$68 option is one of the storylines of the 2022 Off-Season as the 'Crats continue discussions about their ability to build a contender around the major hit to their salary cap.
Nelson Cruz (3/$20) continues to push off father time as the 41-year-old posted 365.0 points and 32 home runs in 2021. A MLB Free Agent, Cruz is a strong bet to hold down a Keeper spot but could be an area where the 'Crats look to free up additional cap space making him a potential trade candidate.
Another strong performer in 2021 was Nolan Arenado (2/$38), but with other significant cap hits, the third baseman could be a trade candidate this off-season with the Idaho Taters standing out as a potential fit.
If Carter Kieboom (Minors) is handed the third base job in Washington, he would serve as an activation option for the 'Crats while providing some strong breathing room against the salary cap.
Lunatic Fringe
The Fringe have three safe bets for activation in Brandon Marsh, Josiah Gray and Triston McKenzie. The latter two could provide GM Tony Guglielmi with the opportunity to bring a full rotation into Draft Day as they could slot in behind Sandy Alcantara, Lucas Giolito, Marco Gonzales and Chris Flexen.
Francisco Lindor (3/$43) joins Max Scherzer as one of the more interesting big contracts to watch. CBS has a 422.5 point projection for Lindor who is entering the final year of his deal after being acquired from the Alamo Short Stacks at the 2021 deadline.
With Kenley Jansen likely out in Los Angeles, Blake Treinan (2FA/$5) could emerge as a strong keeper to anchor the Fringe bullpen in 2022 as the closer for the Dodgers.
If the Fringe move on from oft-injured third baseman Josh Donaldson (3/$25) and Lindor, the club would emerge as a candidate for a major contract addition this off-season with more cap space than any club in the RDBL.
Lake Merced Goutfish
The Lake Merced Goutfish look poised for a run at back to back RDBL Titles, a feat that has yet to be accomplished in League History. The club will be anchored by a dominant (and cheap) core of Fernando Tatis (2R/$3), Yordan Alvarez (1R/$1) and Cedric Mullins (2FA/$5).
The Goutfish will have all eyes on Lance McCullers (2/$18) who was shut down in the Playoffs with elbow soreness, though tests at the time didn't reveal any structural damage. The right-hander was expected to begin throwing in early January with hopes of a normal Spring Training.
Spring Training will also play a big factor in the option for Noah Syndergaard (2/$17) who signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Angels this off-season. Syndergaard is currently slotted in as the third starter behind McCullers and Freddy Peralta (2FA/$5) for the Goutfish.
GM Ryan Atkinson is currently planning around retaining third baseman Manny Machado (3/$48), but things could change before Draft Day.
A hot finish from Josh Bell (2/$27), the Goutfish's leading scorer in the RDBL Playoffs, has the 1B/OF also in the 2022 plans. Bell could emerge as a replacement for Machado if the Goutfish elect to shop the third baseman.
While Dylan Cease (1R/$1) and Yordan Alvarez (1R/$1) have already been activated for 2022, right-hander Sixto Sanchez (Minors) lingers as another potential addition in early 2022 as he recovers from shoulder surgery. RHP George Kirby is likely to emerge as another option after a breakout 2021 campaign.