The Mission Viejo Maulers didn't take long to move catcher Yasmani Grandal and GM Chris Ferraro doesn't look to be far behind with star infielder Jose Ramirez (3/$41). According to sources, the club is optimistic they will have a deal in place by this weekend. The club is still actively engaged with clubs with the Las Vegas Aristocrats appearing to be in the lead as of Friday night.
It hadn't been entirely clear which version of Jose Ramirez would show up over the past few seasons, as he'd mixed excellent stretches with frustratingly poor ones. 2020 was the elite version as Ramirez finished as one of the most valuable players in the league. He posted a .292/.386/.607 slash line with 17 homers and 10 steals, finishing tied for fourth and tied for 10th in the latter two categories.
Ramirez carries eligibility at third base as he enters the final year of RDBL deal.
The 'Crats are joined by the Lunatic Fringe, St. Joseph Jokers, Burlingame Blue Ducks Mt. Diablo Devils and Spokane Fightin' Fish all stand out as potential fits though it's not clear how engaged those clubs have been to date on Ramirez.
Notes Around the RDBL
- Shane Bieber rivals Gerrit Cole as the top available pitcher in the RDBL entering 2021 but a positive COVID-19 test for Bieber will put the right-hander behind to start camp. Bieber had “very, very mild symptoms,” according to Indians GM Chris Antonetti, and the Indians are hopeful that the right-hander will join them in camp in the next few days. The 25-year-old turned in an astounding 1.63 ERA/2.52 SIERA with a 41.1 percent strikeout rate, a 7.1 percent walk rate, and a 48.4 percent groundball mark over 77 1/3 innings.
- Clovers right-hander Mike Soroka continues to work his way back from Achilles surgery and projects to return in late April or early May according to reports from Braves camp this week.
- The White Sox plan to start 2021 with flame-throwing left-hander Garrett Crochet in the big league bullpen. Crochet was a 2020 1st Round pick and will be one of the more interesting names to watch in Auction as his future might be in the rotation long-term.
- Ducks righty Dinelson Lamet said he stopped pitching last fall at the right time in his time with the Padres media today. Conversations with doctors led him to believe he narrowly avoided needing another surgery last season. He reported feeling back to normal after a few weeks of offseason rest. "I feel like I'm 100 percent myself," he said.
It's less than a stellar report on the bullet Lamet appears to have dodged last season with GM Ryan Walsh likely to be crossing his fingers with each start in 2021.
- Right-hander Luis Severino is currently throwing from 120 feet according to reports as he continues to make his way back from Tommy John surgery. Severino is a potential late draft Auction pick as he is joined by Justin Verlander, Noah Syndergaard and Chris Sale as high-profile players who are expected to miss significant time in 2021 but could provide long-term value. With rebuilds underway for the Maulers and Maltese Falcons, both clubs figure to be in the mix for at least one of these arms.
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