We took our first run through the 2022 Projected Keeper Rosters for the first four clubs listed on the RDBL Draft Spreadsheet, covering the Alamo Short Stacks, Idaho Taters, Asti Grape Stompers and Honolulu Hammerheads.
The full Projected Keeper Rosters can be found here as we cover the remainder of the league in the coming days. Here are the news and notes on the first four clubs and the decisions Front Offices will face before the 2022 Season.
Alamo Short Stacks
The Front Office continues to review the contracts of Alex Bregman (2/$40), Michael Brantley (2/$25) and Rhys Hoskins (2/$25) who all performed when on the field but battled injuries throughout 2021. At least one of the trio could be a trade candidate this Winter according to sources.
A resurgence in reliever value has the club currently projected to retain both Emmanuel Clase (2/$1) and Kenley Jansen (2/$6) while Jake McGee (2/$1) could be added to off-season trade discussions as another valuable keeper option.
The club appears focused on moving right-hander Yu Darvish (3/$26) who carries an early 427.0 projection from CBS Sports. The St. Joseph Jokers stand out as an early match for Darvish while also expressing early interest in recent Texas Rangers signee Jon Gray (2FA/$5).
The Stacks appear focused on adding a catcher this off-season if late 2021 Waiver Claim Cal Raleigh can't take hold of the starting job in Seattle in Spring Training.
Idaho Taters
GM Mike Friedrich is dealing with a crowded depth chart at catcher as Carson Kelly (2R/$3), Mike Zunino (2FA/$5) and activation-ready Sean Murphy (Minors) are battling it out for the club's top Keeper spots at the position. With Zunino under contract for just 2022, he seems like the most likely one to be moved with plenty of clubs likely to chase his services in trade talks before Draft Day.
The club currently projects to have four activations with Murphy, Casey Mize, Jo Adell and Brendan Rodgers all ready to take over Opening Day spots for the Taters. Top prospects Matt Manning, Spencer Torkelson, Nate Pearson and Brennen Davis could also factor into the Taters' plan for early 2022.
Asti Grape Stompers
The Grapes are hopeful 2021 Reserve Draft pick Sam Huff can come into Spring Training healthy with a chance at an Opening Day role in Texas and serve as a potential early season activation for GM Terry Shelley.
No club currently holds more starting pitching depth than the Grapes who retain the rights to Walker Buehler (3R/$5), Robbie Ray (2/$5), Eduardo Rodriguez (2/$13), Marcus Stroman (3/$6), Trevor Rogers (2FA/$5), Luis Severino (2/$11) and Clayton Kershaw (3/$31). Some limited depth on offense will certainly have Shelley floating at least one of these names this off-season for additional help at the plate.
All prospect eyes will be on Bobby Witt, Jr. in March who had a full Spring Training with the Royals in 2021 and captured the 2021 Hitting Prospect of the Year award in the RDBL. Still just 21 years old, the Grapes could hold off on a 2022 activation but will certainly be tempted to pull the trigger if the Royals hand him the Opening Day shortstop job. MLB Collective Bargaining could play a role in Witt's timeline as well as the Royals likely desire to strike a long-term deal in the mold of Wander Franco's mega deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Honolulu Hammerheads
The Heads are coming off their best finish in Franchise History but GM Ross Horiuchi can't help but think what would have been with a healthy Jacob deGrom at the top of the club's rotation to finish 2021. The right-hander will be back in the final year of his 3/$66 contract, which currently stands as the highest pitching contract ever retained though Max Scherzer ($68) and Gerrit Cole ($73) could surpass that mark this season.
To make room for deGrom's contract, the Heads could reportedly entertain a deal for star shortstop Carlos Correa (3/$37) according to sources.
The club plans to closely monitor the workload for left-hander Carlos Rodon (2FA/$5), a mid-season acquisition from the Mission Viejo Maulers last season. If Rodon's arm doesn't bounce back, the club holds the rights to Steven Matz (2FA/$5), Adrian Houser (2/$1) and Wade Miley (2FA/$5) as potential rotation options on the 2022 Keeper Roster.
Horiuchi was closely following the MLB Free Agency market for Josh Harrison (2FA/$5) who provides eligibility at four positions. If Harrison lands with a club where he can see consistent playing time, expect him back with the Heads in 2022.
The Heads liked what they saw out of Josh Naylor (2FA/$5) who went down with a gruesome ankle injury to end his 2021 campaign. If he enters Spring Training healthy, don't be surprised if the 1B/OF makes a run one of the club's final Keeper spots.