RJA’s 2023 Payroll Blueprint

[RJA]

After his year in NY, Kiner-Falefa may not be offered a contract, or will be available for a lottery ticket.  I think he is better than the other cheap options at short for one year.  Merrifield has one year before free agency, so given the talent level in Toronto, I think he would be available cheap.  He hits right handed, and like Kepler, can spell Buxton in center and even Polanco at second.  Christian Vasquez is a decent catcher with some offensive upside even against righties.  I would sign Bassitt as he has less of an injury history than Rodon.  I love Rodon, but would go safe here given we don't know about Mahle and Maeda for sure.  Ober or Maeda could fill the long bullpen role--let's see how they look in the spring.  I added Ottavino as I think he would be a good addition to Duran, Jax, Acala, Lopez and others.  Henriquez is a plug in here--maybe Winder, Varland, or SWR fill a role as well.  I say good bye to Pagan, and would trade Kepler for whatever I could get for him.  I would keep Urshela as he plays hard, isn't hurt, and is consistent.  If Kirilloff doesn't come back strong, he is even more important.  I have left 7 million on the table--perhaps for another bullpen arm.

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M)
• 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M)
• 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M)
• SS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($6.50M)
• LF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Whit Merrifield ($6.75M)
• DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M)
• 4th OF: Trevor Larnach ($0.70M)
• Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M)
• Utility: Gilberto Celestino ($0.70M)
• Backup C: Christian Vasquez ($7.50M)
• SP1: Sonny Gray ($12.00M)
• SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M)
• SP3: Kenta Maeda ($9.00M)
• SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.70M)
• SP5: Chris Bassitt ($20.00M)
• 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: Adam Ottavino ($5.00M)
• RP: Ronnie Henriquez ($0.70M)
• RP: Bailey Ober ($0.70M)

Payroll is 11.11% under budget

[tony&rodney]

I argued for acquiring Bassitt last winter. He is a really good pitcher. I immediately thought .... Would Edwin Diaz be a more effective contribution for the same amount of money as allocated to Bassitt?

[DocBauer]

I really like most everything here. Really well thought out!

I do think you're too high $ on Bassitt, who I like as a "settle" SP instead of Rodon.

I would pencil Larnach in RF and leave Kirilloff out of any plans, as of now, and maybe move Merrifield to LF. (Less territory for Larnach to cover and he has a great arm).

I think half of MLB would have loved to have Merrifield on their team over the past several years. Always loved the way he plays ball. Would Toronto want to give him up? How much would it cost to get him? Always thought he was a perfect fit for the Twins. 

You have a very good plan in place!

[RJA]

12 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I argued for acquiring Bassitt last winter. He is a really good pitcher. I immediately thought .... Would Edwin Diaz be a more effective contribution for the same amount of money as allocated to Bassitt?

Great question.  I actually thought about looking at Diaz over Bassitt.  If Rocco continues his 5 inning approach to pitchers, that might be a better move.  In the long run, with questions about Mahle, Maeda and Winder, I thought a steady hand who eats innings would be a better choice, especially as I think it is less likely that Diaz would come here than Bassitt.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

My challenge with Bassitt (or Rodon) is he fits a very similar mold with the rest of the rotation. Struggles to stay on the field. He’d be an upgrade, but would continue to exacerbate the stress on the bullpen.