Free Agency is heating up quickly and trades are beginning to fly, sparking value changes across the Roger Dorn Baseball League just 48 hours after the completion of the CBA.
While things are picking up, the next 3-4 days should lead to the likes of Carlos Correa and Freddie Freeman signing which could then start the fallout of the trade market, especially a group of strong Oakland Athletics players that are likely to be moved.
LHP Carlos Rodon (2FA/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads
Rodon's 2-year, $44 million deal with the San Francisco Giants is not only a great landing spot for the lefty's value, but a sign of health which has GM Ross Horiuchi beaming. The Hammerheads possess elite upside as a roster but it comes with substantial injury risk as their three most important assets (Rodon, Jacob deGrom and Byron Buxton) will all need to stay out of the training room in 2022 for them to reach their goals.
C Mitch Garver (2/$8), Spokane Fightin' Fish
A Saturday morning MLB deal sent Garver to the Texas Rangers where he will shed himself of the playing time concerns he faced in Minnesota. That rise in value might be enough to keep him with the Fightin' Fish for 2022 on his $8 option or lead to a deal before Draft Day. Garver had a tremendous breakout season in 2019, hitting .273/.365/.630, wRC+ of 155. That would be exceptional production for any player but was especially impressive for a catcher. Injuries limited him to just 23 games of anemic production in the shortened 2020 season, but he bounced back well last year. Despite still dealing with injuries and only playing 68 games, his 2021 line was .256/.358/.517, wRC+ of 137. Last year, the Rangers split the catching duties almost evenly between Jose Trevino and Jonah Heim, who put up wRC+ tallies of 60 and 64, respectively. Garver is capable of producing at a much higher rate, but comes with concerns given the injuries of the past few years, making him a high-risk, high-reward option for Texas.
U Nelson Cruz (3/$20), Las Vegas Aristocrats
Despite turning 41 years old, Cruz put together another strong season in 2021 across time with the Twins and Rays. His market is heating up quickly according to sources, with the Dodgers reportedly one of the teams interested. Another full-time DH role appears to be in reach which would make Cruz a logical Keeper again in 2022.
C Sam Huff (Minors), Asti Grape Stompers
Given that Huff most of 2021 due to injury, it was always a longshot that the Grapes prospect would emerge as an Opening Day option but with only Jose Trevino and Jonah Heim to jump on the depth chart, it was a viable option. That all changed Saturday as the Rangers acquired Mitch Garver who will take over the primary catching spot, pushing Huff into a backup role or to AAA to start the season.
RHP Nate Pearson (Minors), Idaho Taters
The Blue Jays inked Yusei Kikuchi to a 3-year deal Saturday morning, locking in the fifth spot in their rotation and pushing Taters pitching prospect Nate Pearson into the bullpen. Given his inability to stay healthy, Pearson was a longshot as an Opening Day rotation option, but the five in place along with Ross Stripling signal that his future is likely in the bullpen. It's been quite a fall in value since 2019 when Pearson was considered among the most valuable pitching prospects in the sport.
RHP Ranger Suarez (2FA/$5), Maltese Falcons
Suarez was one of the biggest surprises in 2021, posting a 400 point season with a 1.36 ERA across relief and starting appearances. The CBA delays are going to hurt the right-hander as Visa issues will reportedly prevent Suarez from being ready for Opening Day. Given the contract, it shouldn't affect his spot on the Falcons Keeper Roster but will still be a dent to his value.
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