The Burlingame Blue Ducks made what might be their final tweak to their Keeper Roster on Sunday afternoon, announcing the acquisition multi-position slugger Brandon Drury (2FA/$5) from the Mission Viejo Maulers for right-hander Jack Flaherty (2/$1). The deal comes just one day before the 2023 RDBL Keeper Deadline.
Drury had a surprising 2022 campaign split between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres. He slashed .263/.320/.492 and set career highs with 28 HRs, 87 RBI, 87 runs, and two stolen bases in 138 games, the most over his eight seasons. Drury was solid the year before, posting a .274 average and a .783 OPS, but owned a lowly .206 xBA and .348 xSLG. The veteran posted eye-popping splits in 2022 with a .298 average and 12 home runs over 52 contests at Great American Ballpark but hit .240 with 16 homers in 86 games elsewhere. He will call Anaheim home for 81 games this season with the expectation to be the everyday second baseman.
Flaherty finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting in 2019 at 23-years-old, but has been dealing with injuries ever since. He has posted a 4.76 ERA in 11 1/3 innings this Spring after posting a 4.25 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over nine appearances in 2022.
Flaherty will slot in behind Nathan Eovaldi in the Maulers rotation.
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