Things were looking up for GM Tony Guglielmi and the Lunatic Fringe through two months as the club was firmly in contention with the league's top pitcher and a solid offense. They aggressively landed Freddie Freeman and George Springer on June 9th, but their inability to find consistency in the rotation behind Sandy Alcantara ultimately sunk them.
The Trade Deadline and Farm System look poised to help a pitching staff that ranked 9th in scoring while work will remain for an offense that produced a league-low .306 on base percentage in 2022.
Catching
The Fringe looked like they could return both Travis d'Arnaud (2/$7) and Waiver Claim Jose Trevino (2FA/$5), though Trevino's production has fallen off following an All-Star Game nod in the American League. While d'Arnaud has been quite fragile throughout his career, he enters Period 26 ranked 8th in scoring at the position at a solid $7 value.
Infield
The infield is likely to see significant turnover following 2022 with Ryan Mountcastle (3R/$5) and Jazz Chisholm (2R/$3) the only locks to return. Guglielmi will face a difficult call on Jeremy Pena (2/$9) who showed flashes of strong production in 2022 wrapped around injuries that limited him to 129 entering the final week of the season.
Outfield
Much like the infield, the Fringe outfield could see similar turnover heading into 2023. JD Martinez (3/$24) continues to see his production fall off and enters the final week of the season with just 12 home runs in 130 games and is set to lose his OF eligibility after DH'ing all season. Joc Pederson (2D/$5) looked like a potential value at Keeper but has been a flop in the second half following an All-Star game bid mid-season. That leaves Brandon Marsh with a potential spot as an activation after his surprising trade to the Philadelphia Phillies, though his current production (.244/.292/.377) could leave him in the Minors for an additional year. Kyle Lewis (2/$10) will be a wild card to follow as tension continues to build between the outfielder and the Mariners Front Office that could make him a trade candidate this Winter.
Pitching Staff
The strength of the Fringe roster will be in their starting staff while their depth at the position should give Guglielmi some potential trade options that they can use to upgrade their offense. The group is led by potential RDBL Pitcher of the Year Sandy Alcantara (3R/$5). He will have plenty of help next season as RDBL Pitching Prospect of the Year Triston McKenzie (Minors) will be set for his long awaited activation after a near 600 point season in 2022 while trade deadline addition Lance McCullers (2/$1) has been exceptional since returning from injury with a 2.38 ERA.
With the top three locked in for just $7 combined, Guglielmi will have more options to play with. Lucas Giolito (3R/$5) has had a forgettable season but posted 450+ point seasons in 2019 and 2021, giving him some trade value at just $5. Michael Wacha (2FA/$5) has been stellar with a 2.70 ERA over 120 innings for the Red Sox. Taijuan Walker (2D/$5) has been similarly productive with 341.0 points entering his final pair of starts for 2022.
Outside of McKenzie, the Fringe Farm System has more on the way as Reid Detmers (3.88 ERA) stands out as the most ready among a group of Josiah Gray and Clarke Schmidt while the one to watch will be Grayson Rodriguez who held the claim of the best pitching prospect in baseball for much of the season.
Farm System
While many Farm Systems have turned their focus to hitting prospects, the Fringe have doubled down in their investments on the mound. That focus looks ready to pay off in 2023 as McKenzie is arguably the top activation for next season while Reid Detmers, Josiah Gray, Clarke Schmidt and Brandon Marsh all have stable roles that could lead to their activation as well.
The prize of the group is Grayson Rodriguez who could make a push for an Opening Day rotation spot for the emerging Baltimore Orioles.
At the plate, Noelvi Marte, Harry Ford and Brayan Rocchio are all serious hitting prospects to watch though they are accompanied by longer ETA's for activation.
Current 2023 Clovers Projected Keepers
*With 2023 Contract Status, Ranked by Value
1 RHP Sandy Alcantara (3R/$5)
2. RHP Triston McKenzie (1R/$1)
3. RHP Lance McCullers (2/$1)
4. 2B Jazz Chisholm (2R/$3)
5. LHP Reid Detmers (1R/$1)
6. IF Ryan Mountcastle (3R/$5)
7. RHP Michael Wacha (2FA/$5)
8. C Travis d'Arnaud (2/$7)
9. SS Jeremy Pena (2/$9)
10. OF Brandon Marsh (1R/$1)
11. U JD Martinez (3/$24)
2023 Draft Picks Moves
Trade Away 4th Round Pick to Goutfish (Lindor)
Acquired 2nd Round Pick from Goutfish (Lindor)
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