The Las Vegas Aristocrats sit 33.0 points out of a Playoff spot as of Thursday afternoon yet the majority of their productive players to start 2023 now dot other RDBL Rosters. With Juan Soto, Joe Musgrove, Andrew McCutchen, Adolis Garcia and Josh Naylor all shown the exit with Assistant GM Russ Colburn largely driving negotiations, President of Baseball Operations Nick Holz has stepped back in to reset expectations with their staff with "goals of annual trips to the Playoffs, not Farm System of the Year Awards" according to sources.
Holz was reportedly in California over the Holiday week to meet with Assistant GM Nick Kusanovich with expectations that he will be pushed into an Advisory role at the end of the season and out of the day-to-day operations according to those familiar with the conversation.
With Holz now settled in Jacksonville after a change in his professional career, he appears ready to step back in and lead the 'Crats through the remainder of 2023 and into the future with Colburn expected to stay on as club's number two man.
It should be noted that the 'Crats Farm System has been overhauled and currently ranks among the league's best following the selection of Jackson Chourio this past season as well as the additions of Jackson Holliday, Gavin Williams and Tink Hence. On the big league side, the 2024 Aristocrats look to have some substantial upside with Bryce Miller, Dustin May and Mason Miller all potential rotation stalwarts provided they can enter next season healthy while Garrett Mitchell, Spencer Torkelson, Bryson Stott and Nate Lowe give the club an affordable young core on offense.
Around the RDBL
- The Meinert Hops are actively seeking upgrades before the July 15th Deadline and appear to be the best fit for Honolulu Hammerheads stars Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Riley should GM Ross Horiuchi decide to sell. The Hops have Brett Baty and Henry Davis both already in the big leagues while Logan Allen (1FA/$5) could be another logical target for the Heads in a potential return.
- The Alamo Short Stacks have stripped down much of their roster but have received multiple inquiries on right-hander Bryan Bello (1FA/$5) who has produced 13 consecutive positive starts and owns a 3.04 ERA in 80.0 innings of work. Thus far, the Stacks have turned away inquiries and appear set on building around Bello for 2024.
Jeff McNeil (2/$7) and Patrick Sandoval (2D/$5) are the only two players on the Stacks roster that aren't currently in the first year of their contract or under a Minor League deal.