The Mission Viejo Maulers have their work cut out for them to field a Playoff caliber team in 2021 as we detailed in Wednesday's Deep Dive. That has GM Chris Ferraro considering every potential deal this Winter with sources close to the club believing "it's inevitable" catcher Yasmani Grandal will be moved.
Grandal (3/$5) has been a top catcher for nearly a decade, providing a high on-base and solid power option at the weakest hitting position on the diamond. This remains the case entering 2021, despite a relatively worse 2020 season. In 46 games, Grandal had his lowest average since 2014 likely due in part to a career-high 30% K-rate.
He's just a year removed from slashing .246/.380/.468 with 28 home runs in 2019, leading all catchers in scoring that campaign. Entering the final year of his $5 contract, catcher-starved organizations are likely to be lining up for Grandal's services and a potential deal could kickstart Ferraro's impending rebuild for the Maulers.
The Lake Merced Goutfish, Cloverdale Clovers, Asti Grape Stompers and Honolulu Hammerheads are rumored to have substantial interest according to league sources if Grandal does indeed hit the open market.
Around the RDBL
- The Maulers won't stop short with just Grandal according to club sources. Jose Ramirez (3/$41) was elite in 2020 with a .292/.386/.607 line and is on a reasonable deal that should net a strong potential return for Ferraro.
The club is also open to discussions on any of their potential returnees in the rotation including Dylan Bundy (2FA/$5), Taijuan Walker (2FA/$5) and Zack Davies (2FA/$5).
- The Mt. Diablo Devils are still active in their hunt for starting pitching this Winter. According to sources, GM Jason Watson has been engaged with multiple clubs on the availability of veteran starters. The club continues to be well-aligned with the Goutfish who have the deepest group of starters available this off-season.
- The Oakland Athletics acquired shortstop Elvis Andrus and another player from the Texas Rangers for designated hitter Khris Davis and a pair of prospects, the teams announced on Saturday. Andrus (2/$2) was not expected to return due to a position move in Texas and limited playing time but a big Spring could push him back into contention for a spot on the Meinert Hops roster.
- Las Vegas Aristocrats right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (3/$1) agreed to a one-year major-league deal with the Rangers on Friday. Foltynewicz had an ERA as low as 2.85 ERA in 2018, but that stands as a clear outlier, as his ERA came in no lower than 4.31 in each of his other six seasons. His struggles peaked last year, as he made just one very poor start while showing dramatically reduced velocity and looking underweight before being designated for assignment. He's evidently impressed the Rangers enough to earn a big-league deal and should be in the running for a rotation spot. Given his $1 contract, he is expected to get a long look by the 'Crats this Spring.
- The Cloverdale Clovers completed their first deal of the off-season Tuesday, acquiring right-hander Kyle Hendricks. The club doesn't appear to be finished as the Clovers are engaged with at least two clubs on first baseman Eric Hosmer (2/$18) who is coming off a strong but limited 2020 campaign. Hosmer slashed .287/.333/.517 in 38 games with nine home runs.
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