mnfireman’s 2023 Payroll Blueprint

[mnfireman]

• C: Willson Contreras ($15.00M)
• 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M)
• 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M)
• SS: Carlos Correa ($35.00M)
• LF: Trevor Larnach ($0.70M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Max Kepler ($8.50M)
• DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M)
• 4th OF: Gilberto Celestino ($0.70M)
• Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M)
• Utility: Matt Wallner ($0.70M)
• Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M)
• SP1: Sonny Gray ($12.00M)
• SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M)
• SP3: Josh Winder ($0.70M)
• SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.70M)
• SP5: Louie Varland ($0.70M)
• RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M)
• RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M)
• RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M)
• RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M)
• RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M)
• RP: Kenda Maeda ($3.00M)
• RP: Cole Sands ($0.70M)
• RP: Bailey Ober ($0.70M)

Payroll is 5.29% under budget

[mnfireman]

I'm starting the season with Ober and Maeda in the BP and a lot of rookies/pre-arb players on the roster. They may move into rotation as they build up arm strength and Varland and Winder may need to move to the 'pen.

Kirilloff and Lewis are on the IL to start the season. 

The bench should be fluid with Miranda, Arraez and Gordon able to play several positions and also be used as the DH along with Wallner.

Yeah, tied up a lot of $$ @ C and SS, but those are important positions, and, to me anyway, warrant the expense.

The Twins system needs to step up and fill spots starting this year and I tried to reflect this in my roster exercise. Decisions will need to be made when Lewis is ready, and if Kirilloff is ready. The arms are young, but SWR, Moran, and perhaps Coulombe, Megill and Paddack will be healthy enough at various points of the season to step in. And I may decide to go over budget and keep Pagan, keeping Sands in AAA until needed. 

[Doctor Gast]

Love that you addressed the catching problem. Another option is Narvaez, his bat isn't as good as Contreras but his defense is better & he'd be cheaper. 

I think both Winder & Varland would better in the BP to start with. I'd pick up another veteran SP (preferably frontline) Maybe Lopez (MIA) or Marquez (CO)

I like you have Maeda, Ober in as long relief, I'd put Winder & Varland there & have all of them  revolving spot start. And have Sands & co. rotate in there as need be from AAA

[TopGunn#22]

Catcher and SS are the two biggest holes and you addressed them.  I'd LOVE to have Correa back and whether it's Contreras (better bat) or Narvaez (better glove) would be good options.  I'd like to go after Pablo Lopez but I think one of Kirilloff, Larnach, Kepler or Wallner would have to be included.  I could see Miami asking for Miranda and that would be a tough call.  Keeping Urshela is wise.  

[solomon1930]

On 10/14/2022 at 7:47 AM, Doctor Gast said:

Love that you addressed the catching problem. Another option is Narvaez, his bat isn't as good as Contreras but his defense is better & he'd be cheaper. 

I think both Winder & Varland would better in the BP to start with. I'd pick up another veteran SP (preferably frontline) Maybe Lopez (MIA) or Marquez (CO)

I like you have Maeda, Ober in as long relief, I'd put Winder & Varland there & have all of them  revolving spot start. And have Sands & co. rotate in there as need be from AAA

Guys like Ober, Winder, and Varland are still considered SPs at this point.  They cannot stay stretched out in the BP and expected to spot start.  I expect Ober to make the Twins starting rotation and Winder / Varland start at AAA assuming Mahle is healthy.  Maeda is the wild card and could go either way.