While we are fresh off the best Free Agent Class in Roger Dorn Baseball League History, we look to be on the verge of an even better group in 2024. While teams will be clearing money again next off-season in preparation, the more pressing topic will be one of the wildest Trade Deadlines we have ever seen with 81 players in the final season of the RDBL contract.
The group is headline by Aaron Judge and Sandy Alcantara, both capable of landing RDBL Record breaking contracts next March. The star power hardly stops there with Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Fernando Tatis, Jr., Trea Turner, Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Riley, Nolan Arenado, Justin Verlander, Julio Urias and many other elite talents set to be available.
“There might have been bigger names at the top this year, but the 2024 Class is better and deeper” according to one Peninsula Division Executive.
With all of those expiring deals, plenty of help for contenders looks like it will be readily available which could limit trade returns this season. 2023 will also mark the first season of the early RDBL Trade Deadline which is two weeks prior to the MLB Deadline, leading to a tighter window to make moves and for Front Offices to make earlier buy/sell decisions.
The Starting Pitching market stands out specifically, with 23 arms who earned Keeper spots set to see their contract expire at the end of the year. If the Lunatic Fringe fell out of contention for example, the race to acquire Sandy Alcantara could mark the story of the season but the depth available for a cheaper price could be a potentially better path for Title contenders.
It's not hard to see 12-15 players worthy of $50+ contracts next March
Catcher (8)
Daulton Varsho (3/$7), Burlingame Blue Ducks
Willson Contreras (3/$23), Asti Grape Stompers
Alejandro Kirk (3/$1), Lake Merced Goutfish
Salvador Perez (3/$16), Burlingame Blue Ducks
Cal Raleigh (2FA/$5), Spokane Fightin' Fish
Omar Narvaez (3/$7), Asti Grape Stompers
Mitch Garver (3/$8), Spokane Fightin' Fish
Jonah Heim (2FA/$5), Maltese Falcons
First Base (7)
Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (3R/$5), Alamo Short Stacks
Paul Goldschmidt (3/$35), Honolulu Hammerheads
Andrew Vaughn (3R/$5), Meinert Hops
Ty France (3/$5), Alamo Short Stacks
C.J. Cron (3/$8), Maltese Falcons
Jose Abreu (3/$37), St. Joseph Jokers
Ryan Mountcastle (3R/$5), Lunatic Fringe
Second Base (7)
Jonathan India (3R/$5), Spokane Fightin' Fish
Jake Cronenworth (3/$12), Meinert Hops
Thairo Estrada (2FA/$5), Meinert Hops
Brendan Donovan (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers
Christian Arroyo (2FA/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads
Brandon Drury (2FA/$5), Burlingame Blue Ducks
Chris Taylor (3/$3), St. Joseph Jokers
Third Base (4)
Austin Riley (3R/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads
Nolan Arenado (3/$38), Cloverdale Clovers
Alec Bohm (3R/$5), Las Vegas Aristocrats
Eugenio Suarez (2FA/$5), Las Vegas Aristocrats
Shortstop (3)
Trea Turner (3/$49), St. Joseph Jokers
Bo Bichette (3R/$5), Mt. Diablo Devils
Dansby Swanson (3/$10), Maltese Falcons
Outfield (17)
Aaron Judge (3/$31), Spokane Fightin' Fish
Fernando Tatis, Jr. (3R/$5), Lake Merced Goutfish
Brandon Nimmo (3/$16), Idaho Taters
Kyle Tucker (3R/$5), Maltese Falcons
Randy Arozarena (3/$25), Burlingame Blue Ducks
Luis Robert (3R/$5), Meinert Hops
Kris Bryant (3/$24), Burlingame Blue Ducks
Taylor Ward (2FA/$5), Alamo Short Stacks
Teoscar Hernandez (3/$10), Maltese Falcons
Tyler O'Neill (3R/$5), Spokane Fightin' Fish
Oscar Gonzalez (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers
Mitch Haniger (3/$11), Asti Grape Stompers
Alex Verdugo (3R/$5), Cloverdale Clovers
Austin Hays (3R/$5), Idaho Taters
J.D. Martinez (3/$24), Lunatic Fringe
Jake McCarthy (2FA/$5), Mt. Diablo Devils
Dylan Carlson (3/$15), Honolulu Hammerheads
Starting Pitchers (23)
Sandy Alcantara (3R/$5), Lunatic Fringe
Julio Urias (3R/$5), Alamo Short Stacks
Justin Verlander (3/$5), Fightin' Fish
Brandon Woodruff (3/$38), Alamo Short Stacks
Max Fried (3R/$5), Las Vegas Aristocrats
Cristian Javier (3/$6), Cloverdale Clovers
Zach Wheeler (3/$25), Maltese Falcons
Kevin Gausman (3/$17), Maltese Falcons
Luis Severino (3/$11), Asti Grape Stompers
Joe Musgrove (3/$23), Las Vegas Aristocrats
Spencer Strider (2FA/$5), Idaho Taters
Jeff Springs (2FA/$5), Idaho Taters
Ross Stripling (2FA/$5), St. Joseph Jokers
Martin Perez (2FA/$5), St. Joseph Jokers
Tyler Mahle (3/$8), St. Joseph Jokers
Tony Gonsolin (2FA/$5), Burlingame Blue Ducks
Brady Singer (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers
Charlie Morton (3/$12), Idaho Taters
Jesus Luzardo (3R/$5), Cloverdale Clovers
Lucas Giolito (3R/$5), Lunatic Fringe
Nick Martinez (2FA/$5), Burlingame Blue Ducks
Nathan Eovaldi (3/$1), Mt. Diablo Devils
Adam Wainwright (3/$4), Mt. Diablo Devils
Relievers (12)
Emmanuel Clase (3/$1), Alamo Short Stacks
Ryan Helsley (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers
Brock Burke (2FA/$5), Idaho Taters
Jason Adam (2FA/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads
Evan Phillips (2FA/$5), Cloverdale Clovers
Jhoan Duran (2FA/$5), Cloverdale Clovers
Kenley Jansen (3/$6), St. Joseph Jokers
Daniel Bard (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers
Paul Seward (2FA/$5), Lunatic Fringe
Peter Fairbanks (2FA/$5), Maltese Falcons
Clay Holmes (2FA/$5), Lake Merced Goutfish
Felix Bautista (2FA/$5), Lake Merced Goutfish
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