President of Baseball Operations: Garrett Shelley
Headquarters: Concord, CA
Seasons: 10
Cash Finishes: 2
Lifetime Earnings: $300
Top Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, 516.0 (2023)
Top Pitcher: Corey Kluber, 517.0 (2018)
2023 Season
The Meinert Hops had one of the more frustrating ends to a RDBL Regular Season in League History, but GM Garrett Shelley is poised to move forward after two of the most successful seasons in Franchise History. After losing bellcows Shane McClanahan and Shohei Ohtani to Tommy John Surgery, the Hops were notified on the final day of the Regular Season that an accounting error on Ohtani's pitching points left the club 34.0 points short in the Standings.
The Hops took the blame for missing the points, pushing the league to keep the standings as is which ultimately led to their frustrating 7th Place finish. The consolation prize is the top overall pick in the 2024 Reserve Draft as Shelley looks to jumpstart a Farm System that was largely dormant in 2023.
2024 Pending Free Agents
OF Luis Robert, IF Thairo Estrada, C Jonah Heim, C Willson Contreras, IF/OF Andrew Vaughn, IF Jake Cronenworth, RHP/U Shohei Ohtani (Injured), LHP Shane McClanahan (Injured)
Current Projected Keeper Roster Ranked by Value
1. RHP Zac Gallen (3/$15)
2. RHP Logan Webb (2/$38)
3. RHP Corbin Burnes (2/$73)
4. OF Michael Harris (2R/$3)
5. SS J.P. Crawford (2/$1)
6. IF C.J. Abrams (2$/3)
7. OF Bryan Reynolds (3/$36)
8. IF Jorge Polanco (2/$9)
9. IF Jake Burger (2FA/$5)
10. RP Alexis Diaz (2/$8)
11 LHP Logan T. Allen (2FA/$5)
12. *OF Joey Wiemer (1R/$1)
13. *OF Henry Davis (1R/$1)
With Shohei Ohtani's $88 set to roll off due to Tommy John Surgery, GM Garrett Shelley is facing an interesting dilemma as Corbin Burnes (2/$73) could suddenly emerge as an option after looking to a lock to be dropped at mid-season. The Hops still have plenty of firepower to build another contender in 2024 behind aces Zac Gallen and Logan Webb while the continue ascent of Michael Harris and C.J. Abrams will give the Front Office some much needed cap relief.
Henry Davis' loss of catcher eligibility is a real sting to the organization as he fell three starts short of earning the position for 2024. He's likely to join Joey Wiemer as the only Hops activations for Opening Day based on the current group.
Farm System
1. C Henry Davis (Pirates)
2. OF Joey Wiemer (Brewers)
3. RHP Chase Dollander (Rockies)
4. 3B Casey Schmitt (Giants)
5. OF Chase DeLauter (Indians)
6. 3B Jacob Berry (Marlins)
7. LHP Asa Lacy (Royals)
8. RHP Ty Madden (Tigers)
9. RHP Forrest Whitley (Astros)
10. OF Erick Pena (KC)
The Farm System largely underperformed in 2023 with only outfielder Chase DeLauter truly adding value through his performance this season. Henry Davis is the top prospect, at least until next March when the Hops are set to make the first overall selection.
Davis is likely to be joined by Joey Wiemer as 2024 Activations, leaving the Farm System largely barren after that. Jacob Berry, Asa Lacy, Forrest Whitley and Erick Pena could all be facing potential releases this Winter leaving GM Garrett Shelley with lots of prospect work to do next March.
Off-Season Questions
1. Who to target with the first overall pick?
For the first time in Franchise History, the Hops hold the top overall selection and will be staring at three likely candidates in Roman Anthony, Colt Keith and Cade Horton to add to a Farm System in dire need of some top end talent.
2. Is Burnes worth $73 for 2024?
Big salaries are hardly a concern for GM Garrett Shelley who retained Mike Trout for three full seasons at $71 and handed Shohei Ohtani the largest contract in RDBL History at $88. With two aces already in the rotation, the $73 might be better spent beefing up a lineup that lost a great deal of production in Free Agency.
3. A return to the Hops for Ohtani?
Ohtani's 2024 contract will be one the RDBL's biggest stories of the off-season when he's officially released from his 3/$88 contract. A return to the Hops is certainly an option, though plenty of suitors are likely even with Ohtani limited to just hitting next season.
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