Like many of the positions we have covered so far, outfield is dominated at the top with Bryce Harper not only serving as the top option at his position, but the best bat available in 2022. Harper is coming off the National League Most Valuable Player award and carries a 668.5 point projection by CBS Sports, the most in baseball. That could lead to Harper challenging Mike Trout for the top contract in RDBL History by a hitter which currently sits at $71.
The position does have some depth, especially with the move over to MLB by Seiya Suzuki who inked an $85 million deal with the Chicago Cubs last week.
Top Outfield Free Agents 1. Bryce Harper, PHI 2. Shohei Ohtani, LAA 3. Bryan Reynolds, PIT 4. Ketal Marte, ARZ 5. Jesse Winker, CIN 6. Christian Yelich, MIL 7. Seiya Suzuki, CHC 8. Brandon Lowe, TB 9. Charlie Blackmon, COL 10. Joey Gallo, NYY 11. Franmil Reyes, CLE 12. *Wil Myers, SD (Ducks) 13. Lourdes Gurriel, TOR 14. *Kyle Lewis, SEA (Maulers) 15. *Mike Yastrzemski, SF (MDD) 16. *Marcell Ozuna, ATL (Clovers) 17. Mark Canha, NYM 18. Kole Calhoun, ARZ 19. David Peralta, ARZ 20. Max Kepler, MIN | Top Trade Candidates 1 Aaron Judge (2/$31), Maulers 2. Marcell Ozuna (3/$25), Clovers 3. Adolis Garcia (2FA/$5), Fish 4. Cristian Pache (2R/$3), Heads |
Team Needs:
Asti Grape Stompers, Honolulu Hammerheads, Lunatic Fringe, Lake Merced Goutfish, Spokane Fightin' Fish, Meinert Hops
Activation Candidates:
The outfield activation class is loaded and led by RDBL's top prospect Yordan Alvarez who made his Active Roster debut in the 2021 Playoffs. Additionally, the Stacks exercised their activation option in the Playoffs on Jarred Kelenic who is looking to cash in on his enormous upside with more big league productivity after a rough introduction last season.
Jo Adell (Taters), Alex Kirilloff (Heads), Brandon Marsh (Fringe) and Jesus Sanchez (Devils) round out the group of projected activations for Opening Day.
Top Free Agent:
Since joining the Phillies, Bryce Harper's 162-game average fantasy line is .281 avg, 38 HR, 105 RBI, 109 R and 16 SB. Harper's 16.7% BB% was in the 99th percentile, providing a safe floor for runs and double-digit steals. People might believe his .309 batting average last year was a fluke, given he'd hit .257 over the previous three seasons. But Harper's .296 xBA was in the 97th percentile and his .598 xSLG and .424 xwOBA both ranked in the 99th percentile. Harper predominantly hit third in the Phillies lineup in 2021 which will also help him tally RBIs moving forward, despite being on a middling offense (Philadelphia ranked 13th in runs scored with 734). Harper did only play 141 games in 2021 but played 159, 157 and 58 games in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (shortened season), so he doesn't come with the often-used "injury risk" label.
Under the Radar Free Agent:
Cody Bellinger is just two years removed from an MVP award but he was the polar opposite in 2021. Despite a down 2020 where he slashed .239/.333/.450, he was largely taken within the top 20 picks in fantasy drafts the following year. He managed to make that stat line look good in comparison to his atrocious '21 campaign where he slashed .165/.240/.302 and his strikeout rate jumped to a career-worst 26.9%. Injuries are partly to blame, as he only logged 350 plate appearances amid multiple IL stints for different ailments. Perhaps he was never quite right and/or couldn't find a groove at the plate due to inconsistent playing time. Whatever the case, it was a season to forget and a year of frustration for fantasy managers. Heading into 2022, it will take a lot of trust that Bellinger can regain his previous form after consecutive duds. At age 26, he is in his prime and has every physical attribute you'd want out of an elite player. The Dodgers will be loaded on offense as usual. Bellinger is locked into everyday playing time unless injury strikes again or he continues to hit so poorly that he forces his way into a platoon. He should have a strong market given his upside making it one of the more interesting names to watch given he was on pace for $50+ deal after 2019.
Top Trade Candidate:
Following their additions of JD Martinez, Giancarlo Stanton and Nolan Arenado, the Maulers appear to be fielding offers for Aaron Judge according to sources. A healthy Judge is one of the best hitters in baseball, and he showed that in 2021. He had his best season since 2017 (when he played a career-high 155 games). He played 148 games last season with a .287 avg, 39 HR, 98 RBI, 89 R and 6 SB fantasy line. Judge's 25.0% K% was the lowest of his career (albeit still in the 25th percentile) while he still maintained an excellent BB% of 11.8% (85th percentile).
Under the Radar Trade Candidate:
The Clovers could choose to retain Marcell Ozuna (3/$25), but he appears available with three days to go until the Keeper Deadline. Ozuna suffered two dislocated fingers on his left hand in May and was later suspended after being involved in a domestic violence dispute. He is eligible to return this season following his suspension for domestic violence charges. MLB retroactively suspended Ozuna in mid-September, which covered the season's final month. Ozuna has served his suspension and will be with Atlanta once the lockout ends. If he's cleared, pending misdemeanor charges, Braves manager Brian Snitker said he would have no issues playing the outfielder. The 31-year-old slashed .213/.288/.356 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 21 runs scored over 48 games before his suspension. Ozuna signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Braves during the 2021 offseason. The Braves slugger hit .316 with four home runs and 13 RBI across 21 games in the Dominican Winter League. ATC projects Ozuna to slash .265/.342/.479 with 25 long balls over 504 plate appearances.
Potential Deal Before Draft Day:
Maulers acquire RHP Chris Flexen (2FA/$5) and OF Brandon Marsh (Minors) from Fringe for OF Aaron Judge (2/$31)
The Fringe have money to spend in Auction, but with other teams also loaded with cap space and a shallow Free Agent pool, GM Tony Guglielmi could choose to use some of that cash pre-draft. Judge would be a monster addition to the lineup for the Fringe while the loss of Flexen could be managed due to their depth in the starting rotation.
After the additions of Nolan Arenado, JD Martinez and Giancarlo Stanton in trades this week, Ferraro could save $26 overall while netting an extra keeper with the acquisition and activation of Brandon Marsh.
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