stringer bell’s 2023 Payroll Blueprint

[stringer bell]

Trying to be realistic here. Either the Twins should bring back Carlos Correa or sign a high-profile starting pitcher. Although they have been historically reluctant to spend on pitchers, they have in the last three years made two signings no one saw coming--Donaldson and Correa--and I propose they take the next step and sign an ace-level arm (Carlos Rodon) for five years at $25M per year. 

In my mind, Omar Narvaez and Ryan Jeffers share the catching position 50-50 and while Luis Arraez is listed as utility, he's an everyday player somewhere, particularly against right handed pitching. I choose Elvis Andrus as the bridge shortstop with Royce Lewis and perhaps Brooks Lee waiting in the wings. I have Austin Martin making a big jump to be a right handed hitting outfield and infield option from Opening Day and the probable center fielder in the event of a disabling injury to Buxton. 

This would be the last chance for Polanco and Kepler as Twins and honestly it wouldn't surprise me if one or both of them is traded in the off season, although I don't like seeing them moved coming off injury plagued poor seasons. 

On the pitching side, there seems to be much agreement on the majority of the starting rotation and the back of the bullpen. I added Jovani Moran, who pitched well for the Twins last year and Ronnie Henriquez, who has started or worked multiple innings in relief. Ober is listed as a reliever, but would be a swing man, possibly a sixth starter and filling in when the inevitable injuries occur. Finally, I tacked on an additional $100 or $200K to players who are no longer rookies. 

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.89M)
• 1B: Alex Kirilloff ($0.80M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M)
• 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M)
• SS: Elvis Andrus ($6.00M)
• LF: Trevor Larnach ($0.80M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Max Kepler ($8.50M)
• DH: Jose Miranda ($0.80M)
• 4th OF: Nick Gordon ($0.80M)
• Utility: Luis Arraez ($4.50M)
• Utility: Austin Martin ($0.70M)
• Backup C: Omar Narvaez ($5.00M)
• SP1: Carlos Rondon ($25.00M)
• SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M)
• SP3: Kenta Maeda ($9.00M)
• SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.90M)
• SP5: Sonny Gray ($11.99M)
• RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.90M)
• RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M)
• RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M)
• RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M)
• RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M)
• RP: Bailey Ober ($0.80M)
• RP: Ronnie Henriquez ($0.70M)
• RP: Jovani Moran ($0.70M)

Payroll is 10.73% under budget

[Vanimal46]

I am 99% sure you are the only one so far not to have Arraez plugged in at 1B. Thank you for that. He filled in admirably when Sano went down for the season. However, he is no short or long term solution at the position. 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

I am 99% sure you are the only one so far not to have Arraez plugged in at 1B. Thank you for that. He filled in admirably when Sano went down for the season. However, he is no short or long term solution at the position. 

Three possible first basemen on the 40-man--Arraez, Kirilloff, Miranda--but I like Alex's defense the best at first base. The tool for putting together the blueprint has Arraez as the default, so someone has to actively change that to move him away from first base. 

[chpettit19]

I like it. I wouldn't "waste" money on Andrus, though, if Martin is going to be on the opening day roster. I just let Martin play SS (even though I hate that they're still trying to force that to be a thing) and use that 6M to get another bullpen arm. Not going to be a shutdown closer, but I'd trust a 6M arm over Henriquez to start the year.

[Squirrel]

3 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I like it. I wouldn't "waste" money on Andrus, though, if Martin is going to be on the opening day roster. I just let Martin play SS (even though I hate that they're still trying to force that to be a thing) and use that 6M to get another bullpen arm. Not going to be a shutdown closer, but I'd trust a 6M arm over Henriquez to start the year.

I think Martin in a utility role is perfect ... that's what I'd do ... and get him outfield and infield reps. Weren't you the one who was a strong advocate for him in the outfield? And I'd be signing Correa  

[Brandon]

I do agree we need a bullpen arm and I think Andrus has a 15 million player option he can exercise.  I am not sure he will be a free agent this offseason will he?  also I think you may want to do an extension or two with some of the savings you have.  might as well front load a long term contract if we are under budget. 

overall a solid plan that is realistic.   

[chpettit19]

17 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I think Martin in a utility role is perfect ... that's what I'd do ... and get him outfield and infield reps. Weren't you the one who was a strong advocate for him in the outfield? And I'd be signing Correa  

I am definitely on the "Martin in the OF" bandwagon. I don't mind seeing if he can play infield, but I'm yet to see any reports of him being any good at it. I'd also be signing Correa, but I'm not holding my breath there...

[stringer bell]

47 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I do agree we need a bullpen arm and I think Andrus has a 15 million player option he can exercise.  I am not sure he will be a free agent this offseason will he?  also I think you may want to do an extension or two with some of the savings you have.  might as well front load a long term contract if we are under budget. 

overall a solid plan that is realistic.   

I’m pretty certain that there was a vesting option for Andrus that he didn’t reach. He had been dreadful for years, but did come alive when acquired from Oakland. His body of work doesn’t merit an 8-digit payday, but he still does a good job in the field and was pretty good for the White Sox. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

I’m pretty certain that there was a vesting option for Andrus that he didn’t reach. He had been dreadful for years, but did come alive when acquired from Oakland. His body of work doesn’t merit an 8-digit payday, but he still does a good job in the field and was pretty good for the White Sox. 

He missed the vesting option because he was traded, right?

[stringer bell]

He was released, not traded. Apparently that removed the vesting option. 

[solomon1930]

13 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I am 99% sure you are the only one so far not to have Arraez plugged in at 1B. Thank you for that. He filled in admirably when Sano went down for the season. However, he is no short or long term solution at the position. 

I found at least 3 that had Arraez at 2B.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

21 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I am 99% sure you are the only one so far not to have Arraez plugged in at 1B. Thank you for that. He filled in admirably when Sano went down for the season. However, he is no short or long term solution at the position. 

My running tally has 8 previous blueprints (now 9 with Stringer's) with Kiriloff, while Greglw3 brought in Abreu and Weitz41 (and my eventual blueprint) has Miranda...