The Mission Viejo Maulers have been overwhelmed with inquiries on four stars who they made available earlier this week. While GM Chris Ferraro continues conversations, Justin Verlander (3/$5) appears to be the most likely to be moved according to sources.
Ferraro had expressed some pessimism on making a deal after the first 48 hours of talks as the club started to plan on retaining Verlander, Aaron Judge (3/$31) and Nolan Arenado (3/$38). But as of Thursday morning, talks had intensified on Verlander to the point where there could be a finish line in sign according to those familiar with negotiations.
Sources indicate Alamo Short Stacks, Spokane Fightin' Fish, Lake Merced Goutfish, Las Vegas Aristocrats, Maltese Falcons and Cloverdale Clovers were all engaged at some level over this week.
The Aristocrats had attempted to build a package around the 2nd overall pick while the talks with the Stacks centered around emerging starter Logan Gilbert (2R/$3).
Around the RDBL
- While the race for Verlander continues, Lunatic Fringe right-hander Lucas Giolito (3R/$5) could be the next arm to be moved. With cheap bounceback candidates Tyler Mahle and Noah Syndergaard quickly off the market, the spotlight shifts to Giolito who looks like he will be squeezed out of a spot for GM Tony Guglielmi.
The right-hander established himself as a reliable front-end starter with a 3.47 ERA from 2019 to 2021, but he cratered last season with an ERA that approached 5.00. He lost a tick on his fastball and saw his strikeout rate drop over two percentage points to 25.2 percent, though his HR/9 improved slightly to 1.3. The White Sox's poor defense certainly did him no favors, which is reflected in his 3.66 xFIP. Still, the poor results can't be entirely blamed on the defense, as he also allowed a 39 percent hard-hit rate, which represents a full-season career high. Giolito will turn 29 years old in July and is entering his final season of arbitration eligibility, and he's a prime rebound candidate with every incentive to deliver in a contract year.
CBS certainly sees that bounceback coming as they have Giolito with a 420.0 point projection for 2023.
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