GM Michael Tirabassi has set his Franchise apart as the most consistent winner in RDBL History, finishing no worse than third place in six of the last seven seasons. Tirabassi’s group carried that torch again in 2023, winning their second Regular Season Title while coming up just short in the RDBL Playoffs, falling to the eventual Champion Lake Merced Goutfish. The club will face some difficult decisions before Draft Day, but have plenty of firepower remaining to continue their dynastic run.
President of Baseball Operations: Michael Tirabassi
Headquarters: Spokane, WA
Seasons: 10
Cash Finishes: 6 (2nd in RDBL)
Division Titles: 5 (RDBL Record)
Lifetime Earnings: $4,990 (RDBL Record)
Top Hitter: Mookie Betts, 478.0 (2018)
Top Pitcher: Max Scherzer, 558.0 (2016)
2023 Season
The Spokane Fightin’ Fish were a powerhouse again in 2023, becoming the third team in RDBL History to lead the RDBL in both hitting and pitching in the Regular Season. The club had a more balanced look across their entire roster in 2023, buoyed by young star Julio Rodriguez who shook off a slow start to finish runner-up for the RDBL Activation of the Year Award while plugging holes around the absences of off-season acquisition Aaron Judge and Draft Day steal Corey Seager.
The grizzled duo of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander anchored the rotation while the mid-season addition of Zach Wheeler helped the club pull away from the competition and cruise to the Regular Season Title.
Despite coming up short over the season’s final five weeks, the Fightin’ Fish left their mark on the RDBL History Books by setting seven of 17 League Records reached in 2023. That pushed Tirabassi well ahead of the competition for his second RDBL Executive of the Year Award.
Lost to 2024 Free Agency
OF Aaron Judge, 1B Jose Abreu, OF Tyler O’Neill, SS Dansby Swanson, RHP Zach Wheeler, OF Taylor Ward, RHP Justin Verlander, 2B Jonathan India, C Mitch Garver, OF Teoscar Hernandez, C Cal Raleigh
Current Projected Keeper Roster Ranked by Value
1. OF Julio Rodriguez (2R/$3)
2. SS Corey Seager (2/$42)
3. 2B Luis Arraez (3/$1)
4. 1B/3B Yandy Diaz (3D/$15)
5. OF Steven Kwan (3D/$15)
6. RHP Mitch Keller (2/$1)
7. RHP Aaron Nola (3/$43)
8. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (3R/$5)
9. LHP Braxton Garrett (2FA/$5)
10. SS Willy Adames (3R/$5)
11. U Heston Kjerstad (1R/$1)
12. RP Jordan Romano (2/$8)
One look at the group of players lost to 2024 Free Agency by the Fightin’ Fish reveals just how much work Tirabassi will have to do to replace the production lost from those 12 starters along with Max Scherzer who is set to be cut from his $50 deal. Building around Julio Rodriguez, easily in the conversation for the best value in all of the RDBL, as well as Corey Seager and Luis Arraez is not a bad place to start.
2022 Draft Day steals Yandy Diaz and Steven Kwan each jump from $5 to $15, still providing plenty of value but cutting $20 total into Tirabassi’s 2024 cap space flexibility while Ke’Bryan Hayes showed some glimmers of hope in the second half that the Fish hope to build on in his final season of control.
Aaron Nola leads the rotation on paper but stands out as a potential trade candidate before Draft Day. That will leave Mitch Keller and Braxton Garrett next in line with Jordan Romano a candidate to return for a fourth straight season for the Fish.
Heston Kjerstad will be a name to watch in Spring Training as he tries to earn an Opening Day spot in a talented and crowded Orioles depth chart. Kjerstad only played at DH in 2023, making him only eligible at U to open 2024.
Farm System
1. OF Heston Kjerstad (Orioles)
2. 2B Termarr Johnson (Pirates)
3. 2B Connor Norby (Orioles)
4. RHP Emerson Hancock (Mariners)
5. 1B Matt Mervis (Cubs)
6 . RHP Ben Joyce (Angels)
The Farm System is in need of a jolt, a feat that will be difficult to accomplish with the Fightin’ Fish currently not selecting until 60th Overall, the final pick of the 4th Round. Kjerstad anchors the Farm System, building back his value following a heart condition that sidelined him in 2021 and forced the Lake Merced Goutfish to cut the former 2nd overall pick. A bat first player, Kjerstad should carve out a role in Baltimore early in 2024 with the potential to hold both outfield and first base eligibility.
Termarr Johnson likely has the most overall upside of the group as a former High School draftee by Tirabassi. An up and down 2023 campaign has dimmed his star a bit, but the potential remains as an impact second baseman with an ETA closer to 2025 or 2026.
The Fish were hopeful Connor Norby could be freed from the Orioles loaded middle infield depth chart, but that went to Joey Ortiz in last week’s Corbin Burnes deal. Norby is now stuck in a AAA or backup role to start 2024 and will look to shake that label this year.
A mixed 2023 campaign for Emerson Hancock could push his future to the bullpen where his value would be largely diminished while flame-throwing Ben Joyce remains a potential closer in Anaheim.
Off-Season Questions
Is Aaron Nola the first to go?
The top end of the Fish roster features three 450+ point hitters for just $46 combined in Rodriguez, Seager and Arraez, giving pause to the thought of Tirabassi committing to a rebuild. Cap Space flexibility will likely be key though which opens the door for Aaron Nola to exit stage left before Draft Day. Nola’s $43 option for 2024 comes on the heels of a 376.0 point season with a 4.46 ERA but is just one year removed from a 560.0 point season in 2022.
Rebuilding the Farm System a Priority?
With just six prospects currently under contract and a case to be made for only 3-4 to be retained, Tirabassi will have his hands full on rebuilding the club’s Farm System. While the club has successfully leaned on big league depth acquired in the Reserve Draft, a run at a 2024 Title will likely require some shiny prospects that can draw the interest of other clubs in June/July. Without a selection in the first three rounds currently, that will require some heavy lifting from the club’s scouting department.
They wouldn’t trade J-Rod, would they?
The Fightin’ Fish Front Office has at least toyed with the idea of shopping star Julio Rodriguez according to sources. The club would only entertain that move “to become one of the top Farm Systems in the league” per one Executive who inquired about Rodriguez’s availability. It’s currently a long-shot, but Tirabassi can never be counted out from zigging when others are zagging.