The pending deal of Juan Soto (2/$65) to the New York Yankees could increase trade interest in the RDBL for the San Mateo Oppo Tacos. GM Erik Nielsen has made it clear that Soto is available as he takes over for the departed Mike Friedrich. Soto was hitting .202 with 5 homers and 11 RBIs as the calendar flipped to May, looking like a lock to not return to any RDBL club in 2024 at his $65 figure. He would go on to hit 30 homers with a .290 average the rest of the way, finishing the year with 536.0 points and ranking third among outfielders in scoring. He was one of three qualified hitters with more walks than strikeouts in 2023 and has still not fallen below the .400 mark for a season on-base percentage in his entire career.
The Oppo Tacos are set to bring back a competitive group, but are short on cap space with the likes of Marcus Semien (2/$37), Adolis Garcia (3D/$15) and Chris Bassitt (2/$16) all expected back.
Nielsen has also made Will Smith (3/$30) and Josh Naylor (3D/$15) available in talks according to sources. Smith finished 2023 ranked third in catcher scoring while Naylor hit .308/.354/.489 in 121 games, leaving more in the tank if he can produce a healthier season.
Around the RDBL
- The St. Joseph Jokers have had initial conversations with the Honolulu Hammerheads on right-handers Sonny Gray (2/$2) and Michael Wacha (2/$1) according to sources. While clubs can’t formally announce deals until January 15th when the 2024 RDBL Season officially begins, Heads officials have been unwilling to discuss Gray’s availability with other clubs making some believe that a deal is verbally agreed to. Gray posted the fourth 500+ season of his career in 2023, posting a dominant 2.79 ERA over 184.0 innings, the most he has worked since 2015.
Wacha was one of the league’s biggest surprises, posting 342.0 points with a 3.22 ERA over 134 1/3 innings. It was Wacha’s heaviest workload since 2017.
The Jokers make a lot of sense for multiple pitching additions after producing two of the six worst pitching seasons in RDBL History over the last two years. The Jokers owned a 4.70 ERA in 2023 and have ranked 14th or 15th in Pitcher Scoring in five of the last season seasons.
- The Alamo Short Stacks are expected to be active before Draft Day as the club currently holds a RDBL-high 16 prospects under contract along with four selections in the 2nd Round and six selections in the first 35 of the 2024 Reserve Draft. GM Greg Shelley has plenty of cap space flexibility with the club currently projected to hold $200 in spending power for just nine openings, making them a potential fit for Juan Soto as well as other high-priced options available this Winter.
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