The 2024 RDBL Keeper Deadline is less than 24 hours away with teams down to the wire on decisions entering Draft Day. Here is the latest around the RDBL with news and notes on every club:
Alamo Short Stacks
Following last week's move to acquire third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (3R/$5), the Stacks Keeper Roster looks largely set despite recent injury news on Josh Lowe (oblique) who is still expected to be retained.
Asti Grape Stompers
The Grapes have been wrestling with the contract of Masataka Yoshida (2/$23) in recent days, but a soft outfield Free Agent market likely points to his return.
The club was pleased to bring in an ace in Framber Valdez last week who can pair with Pablo Lopez at the top of the club's rotation followed by upside pitchers Hunter Greene and Kyle Harrison. It's expected GM Terry Shelley will be seeking another front of the rotation starter in Auction as the club currently is projected to have $159 in cap space. The club is looking to find a trade partner for Alex Cobb (2/$3) according to sources.
Burlingame Blue Ducks
The Ducks appear to be focused on 2025 for their wave of young stars, making clear that Wyatt Langford (Minors) will remain in the Minors for 2024. Kyle Manzardo (Minors) will join him after he was optioned to AAA Monday to start this season. The club is expected to see the big league debuts of both players as well as Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes this summer.
GM Ryan Walsh continues to monitor potential deals to claw back some of their cap space with Ketal Marte (2/$20), Nick Castellanos (2/$16) and Kyle Schwarber (2/$30) remaining potential candidates to be moved before Tuesday's deadline.
Cloverdale Clovers
The struggles of Jarred Kelenic (3R/$5) as well as injuries to TJ Friedl (2/$1) and Edward Cabrera (Minors) have thrown a curveball at GM Chris Shelley who countered with the addition of Bailey Ober (2FA/$5) on Monday.
Shelley's decisions in the Minor Leagues might draw the most attention tomorrow with Ceddanne Rafaela, Anthony Volpe, Elly De La Cruz, Nick Pratto, Liover Peguero and Zach Neto all vying for spots.
Honolulu Hammerheads
The pitching rotation picture gained some clarity on Monday as Bailey Ober (2FA/$5) was shipped to the Cloverdale Clovers. That leaves three spots for Brandon Pfaadt (Minors), Chase Silseth (2FA/$5), Kutter Crawford (2FA/$5) and Ryne Nelson (2R/$3) behind Tanner Bibee and Chris Sale.
The Heads have tossed around the idea of dropping catcher J.T. Realmuto back into Free Agency, though the current trend seems to point to a return for the Phillies backstop.
Lake Merced Goutfish
The Goutfish continue to waver on their activation decisions with Matt McLain, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Bobby Miller all set for big roles on their respective big league clubs. As of late Monday, rumors were circling that Yamamoto and Miller would be held back in the Minors with eyes on a potential Playoff activation.
Blake Snell's signing Monday night sparked some fast trade talk, with the 2023 National League Cy Young Winner yielding multiple offers as of late Monday night.
Lunatic Fringe
It's been a quiet off-season for the Fringe who are one of just three teams yet to make a trade this off-season.
The Fringe entered the off-season with significant starting pitching depth, but that has taken a major hit with Kyle Bradish (elbow) expected to be dropped while Jordan Montgomery (2/$20) remains unsigned.
Infielder Andres Gimenez (3D/$15) is a name to watch as a potential last minute trade candidate.
Maltese Falcons
The Falcons Front Office remains engaged on a potential pitching addition before tomorrow's deadline after young star Eury Perez (Minors) went down with an elbow injury over the weekend.
The club is positioned to activate four players tomorrow with Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, Triston Casas and Austin Wells all expected to be on the Opening Day roster.
Meinert Hops
The Hops have yet to make a move this off-season, but appear to be fairly set on their Keeper Roster. The club will have an interesting approach at catcher where expected activation Henry Davis (Minors) will earn back his eligibility early in 2024.
The club added catching prospect Tyler Soderstrom (Minors) in a deal Monday morning with the Alamo Short Stacks. Soderstrom ranks 5th in the Hops Farm System following the move.
Mission Viejo Maulers
The Maulers appear to be leaning towards releasing infielder Vaughn Grissom (2D/$5) according to sources with relievers Edwin Diaz (2/$12) and David Bednar (3/$6) both expected back.
Yusei Kikuchi (2D/$5) appears to be outside of the discussion for a spot in the Maulers pitching staff with the Front Office also expected to waive Gerrit Cole on Tuesday.
Mt. Diablo Devils
The Devils pushed the availability of Manny Machado (3/$43) but couldn't find a deal as of Monday afternoon according to sources.
The Front Office is wrestling with Christian Yelich's 3/$31 option for 2024 as well as a decision between James Paxton (2FA/$5) and JP France (2FA/$5) for their fifth rotation spot.
GM Jason Watson is finally expected to release shortstop Wander Franco on Tuesday.
Nashville Aristocrats
The 'Crats might have the most interesting Keeper Deadline decisions in the RDBL with Jackson Chourio, Jackson Holliday, Brett Baty and Gavin Williams all facing less than set immediate futures. With Williams nursing an elbow injury, Gavin Stone could step in as a potential Opening Day activation as well with Bryce Miller and Nick Pivetta currently penciled in.
Max Meyer remains an interested option early in 2024 with the Marlins in search of healthy arms for their rotation.
San Mateo Oppo Tacos
The Tacos remain engaged in trade talks following a very active off-season that included the additions of Alex Bregman, Ha-Seong Kim, Walker Buehler and Tyler Wells at the big league level.
The club would love to add an additional outfielder before draft day in a spot that could be completely empty unless GM Erik Nielsen elects to activate Sal Frelick.
Spokane Fightin' Fish
The Spokane Fightin' Fish have yet to declare Aaron Nola (3/$43) as a part of their rotation for 2024, marking another potential big addition to the Free Agent Market on Draft Day.
St. Joseph Jokers
The Jokers are expected to activate MacKenzie Gore and DL Hall to their pitching staff on Tuesday. Hall, having only appeared as a reliever in 2023, will slot in as a RP on the Jokers roster before having to move to the SP spot on Opening Day.