The Mission Viejo Maulers certainly jump started the conversation across the Roger Dorn Baseball League Monday night, making it clear to all teams that the likes of Aaron Judge (3/$31), Justin Verlander (3/$5), Nolan Arenado (3/$38) and Alex Bregman (2/$36) could all be moved before Draft Day.
Judge is fresh off a record breaking 2022 season, posting 652.5 points while being named the RDBL Hitter of the Year and American League MVP. He was at his best to finish the year, breaking the RDBL Record for Playoff Points with 177.5 points over his final five weeks.
Justin Verlander had another banner season with 647.0 points, capturing his third Cy Young Award as he posted a 1.75 ERA over 175 innings. He signed a two-year, $86.66M contract with the New York Mets and will pitch in the National League for the first time in his career at 39 years old.
While Judge and Verlander clearly offer eye-popping numbers, Arenado and Bregman should not be overlooked. The duo ranked 3rd and 5th in third base scoring in 2022. Bregman was otherworldly in the 2nd Half, posting a .287/.379/.515 line over his final 67 games including a .362/.452/.681 line in August.
While its obvious every team would have general interest in the foursome, some look like more obvious fits in terms of need, win cycle and players that match up with what GM Chris Ferraro would seek in return.
On paper, the Cloverdale Clovers and Maltese Falcons might stack up the best to swing a major deal as both teams are right in the middle of their contention window while also holding several high-profile young players and prospects that are close or already in the big leagues. The Falcons have been working to pair down their Keeper List in recent days, reportedly already having an agreement in place to shed a starting pitcher when the league's season officially starts on Wednesday.
The Lake Merced Goutfish can never be counted out as we have learned countless times while the Idaho Taters could be a team to watch. GM Mike Friedrich has been burned by activations and might have soured on his draft and develop strategy despite placing seven prospects in most of the Top 100 lists last week.
The Lunatic Fringe are loaded with young pitching, including activation ready right-hander Triston McKenzie who captured the Pitching Prospect of the Year in 2022 with 571.0 points and could pique the interest of the Maulers as a starting point for multiple players.
The Spokane Fightin' Fish have one of the league's youngest and cheapest rosters in the RDBL, giving GM Michael Tirabassi several assets that would likely be of interest to Ferraro along with the need for a frontline starter if the club moves on from Gerrit Cole for $73 and potentially Shane Bieber for $58.
The Alamo Short Stacks have reportedly been involved in discussions as well with MacKenzie Gore (Minors) and Logan Gilbert (2R/$3) serving as potential chips with outfielder Corbin Carroll (Minors) likely off limits. The Stacks are facing a 2023 season that will mark the final one under contract for Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Brandon Woodruff, Julio Urias, Emmanuel Clase and Ty France, likely pushing GM Greg Shelley to aggressively try and defend their 2022 RDBL Title.
Much more to come as the market takes shape in the coming days and weeks.
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