2wins87’s 2024 Payroll Blueprint

[2wins87]

This one is more fun than serious, but also not outlandish.  I might do a more serious one later.

The big offseason move is a trade for Soto.  I'm including Emmanuel Rodriguez as the main piece.  He has Soto level plate discipline that should intrigue the Padres, but he also has enough holes in his swing that I'm ok moving him to go big in 2024.  Kepler might also be included in the deal, or traded elsewhere for prospects.

Lugo has good upside as a SP at a bargain price (though I think it might end up a little higher than $11MM).

They still need a floor in CF should Buxton be unable to play there again.  I'd be fine with Castro being the main fill-in with Martin in the wings, but Bader also provides a floor in CF and also a RH 4th OF.

I'm going without a true backup SS, dropping Farmer to make payroll space.  But Polanco, Lewis, and Lee are all options to play the backup role in a pinch (with Lee probably filling the role initially in the event of a long Correa absence).  It's a step down defensively, but allows for a stronger offensive team overall, and there is plenty of infield depth overall.

The bullpen could still use a little help.  Varland helps shore it up at the start of the season.  But they will have to hope for a good pickup like Stewart or breakout from someone in the org already.

Opening day lineup:

1. Julien

2. Soto

3. Lewis

4. Polanco

5. Correa

6. Wallner

7. Buxton

8. Kirilloff

9. Jeffers

Tell me that wouldn't be an exciting lineup.

• C: Christian Vazquez ($10.00M)
• 1B: Alex Kirilloff ($1.70M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($10.50M)
• 3B: Royce Lewis ($0.77M)
• SS: Carlos Correa ($33.33M)
• LF: Matt Wallner ($0.77M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Juan Soto ($33M)
• DH: Edouard Julien ($0.77M)
• 4th OF: Harrison Bader ($3M)
• Utility: Willi Castro ($3.2M)
• Utility: Nick Gordon ($1M)
• Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($2.30M)
• SP1: Pablo Lopez ($8.25M)
• SP2: Joe Ryan ($0.77M)
• SP3: Bailey Ober ($0.77M)
• SP4: Chris Paddack ($2.53M)
• SP5: Seth Lugo ($11M)
• RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.77M)
• RP: Brock Stewart ($0.77M)
• RP: Griffin Jax ($0.77M)
• RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M)
• RP: Caleb Thielbar ($3.00M)
• RP: Louie Varland ($0.77M)
• RP: Jovani Moran ($0.77M)
• RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.77M)

Payroll is 1.81% under budget