With just 20 days to go until the 2022 RDBL Draft, clubs are set to face an action packed two weeks in preparations for the Keeper Roster Deadline. With clubs looking to trim down their rosters as Spring Training kicks off, we highlighted ten players that are most likely to be dealt over the next 14 days.
SS Trevor Story (3/$38), Spokane Fightin' Fish
2022 CBS Projection: 477.5 Points
Story was a Draft Day acquisition by the Fightin' Fish in 2021 as GM Michael Tirabassi surrendered prized pitching prospect Casey Mize and a 2022 1st Round Pick. A 364.5 points season didn't back up the price paid but Story dealt with a right elbow issue on-and-off throughout the season which could have played a big factor in his down season. He is a current MLB Free Agent with all likelihood of a move away from Coors Field which would be another dent in his value. Story still ranks as third highest projected shortstop and will be closely watched this week as his next MLB home is revealed.
RHP Yu Darvish, (3/$26), Alamo Short Stacks
2022 CBS Projection: 403.0 Points
Darvish was a bona fide ace for his first 13 starts, posting a 2.28 ERA, 30% strikeout rate and 0.91 WHIP while averaging over 6 frames per start. Then came the crackdown on sticky stuff which left a rollercoaster of performance over his final 17 outings. A K/9 over 11 should still draw plenty of interest on the trade market coupled with a very reasonable $26 final season contract with the St. Joseph Jokers reportedly one of the teams inquiring on the right-hander.
C Willson Contreras (2/$23), Honolulu Hammerheads
2022 CBS Projection: 351.0 Points
Contreras is facing an uncertain 2022 with the Cubs potentially shopping him before Opening Day while Hammerheads appear set with activation Tyler Stephenson and 2021 top scoring catcher Salvador Perez behind the plate. Contreras resumed his power-hitting abilities in 2021, but did so while posting a career-worst 28.6% strikeout rate which pulled his average down to a career-low .237. His plate discipline was mostly consistent with previous efforts and the strikeouts were more correlated to him taking called strikes (16% rate was also a career worst). Sensing a trend here? Being a veteran who was around for the good times only to see all of your friends leave cannot be easy. A new location may not offer the same playing-time guarantees that Contreras enjoys in Chicago but a change of scenery should serve him well in 2022. He's currently projected as the fifth best scoring catcher by CBS.
C Mike Zunino (2FA/$5), Idaho Taters
2022 CBS Projection: 223.0 Points
Sticking with the catcher market, Zunino is likely to be pushed out by 2021 activation Carson Kelly and likely 2022 activation Sean Murphy for the Taters. Zunino outscored both in 2021, mashing 33 home runs with a .559 slugging percentage, topping all big league catchers. At just $5, Zunino is certain to have a market and could be grouped in a larger deal as the Taters look to strengthen their infield and outfield Keeper groups.
3B Nolan Arenado (2/$38), Las Vegas Aristocrats
2022 CBS Projection: 419.0 Points
Arenado's 2022 fate could be tied to the $68 option the Aristocrats hold on Max Scherzer. If the right-hander is retained, the club might seek some salary cap relief and shop Arenado. While the exit from Coors Field has dropped his overall upside, Arenado still ranked as the 10th best third baseman in 2021 while slashing .255/.312/.494 with 34 home runs.
OF Michael Conforto (2/$26), Asti Grape Stompers
2022 CBS Projection: 381.5 Points
Still a Free Agent, the Asti Grape Stompers crowded Keeper Roster could push Conforto onto the Trade Market following a disappointing 2021 campaign. After averaging nearly 30 home runs the previous four seasons, Conforto posted a rough .232/.344/.384 line over 125 games for the Mets. Playing around and through injuries, Conforto rebounded from August 1st on with a .829 OPS and could have a strong trade market as club's review a weak 2022 RDBL Free Agent Class.
RHP Luis Severino (2/$11), Asti Grape Stompers
2022 CBS Projection: 265.0 Points
The Grapes have a packed group of starting pitchers which could lead to some difficult decisions for GM Terry Shelley. There is a risk/reward profile to Severino who returned to MLB game action 18 months and three weeks after undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of February in 2020. He made five appearances out of the Yankees' bullpen over the final 10 days of the regular season and into the postseason, giving up one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine in 7.1 innings. While he looked like the same guy on the mound, Severino's average velocity on his four-seamer was 95.4 mph, down from averages of 97.8 mph in 2018 and 96.0 mph in 2019. His slider was also down a couple ticks from the 88 mph it averaged from 2016 through 2018. It's possible he could gain a tick of velocity as he gets even further removed from the surgery, and even if everything remains where it was in 2021, Severino still has premium stuff. Heading into his age-28 season, the biggest concern with the 6-foot-2 righty is quantity of innings but with two more seasons of control, he could be worth the risk for an RDBL team.
OF Michael Brantley (2/$25), Alamo Short Stacks
2022 CBS Projection: 426.0 Points
The Stacks have generally aimed for cap space flexibility which reportedly has the club looking to select one of their two $25 contracts between Michael Brantley and Rhys Hoskins. Both carry 425+ point projections for 2022 but come with health concerns after both faced injury plagued seasons but things have hardly slowed at the plate for Brantley who slashed .311/.362/.437 while serving as the primary DH in Houston. Given the $25 investment, he's very likely to find a home either with the Stacks or on another club as Front Offices face a less than stellar RDBL Free Agent Class.
LHP Adrian Houser (2FA/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads
2022 CBS Projection: 279.0 Points
Houser had his best season to date with a career high in innings pitched and a career-low 3.22 ERA, but faces a deep Keeper Roster for GM Ross Horiuchi. Most of his struggles came after Major League Baseball started enforcing the ban on foreign substances; his curveball averaged over 1900 rpm in April and was down around 1750 in July while Houser posted just a 5.5 K/9 in the second half. His success is predicated on the defense behind him getting to the groundballs he generates and has proven to be a dependable arm at the back of any RDBL rotation.
LHP Clayton Kershaw (3/$31), Asti Grape Stompers
2021 CBS Projection: 156.0 Points
Kershaw finished 2021 with an arm injury and remains a MLB Free Agent, placing his value at a likely all-time RDBL low. But a quick signing this week and a healthy first Spring Training appearance could certainly spark interest, even at his $31 option. The Grapes are certain to be deep in pitching, but they could leverage that depth to add an additional bat to an offense that has some holes to fill.
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