cmoss84’s 2025 Payroll Blueprint: TRUTH: What I would REALLY do.

[cmoss84]

We all probably lean a bit to the side of what we THINK will happen...and that bias distracts us from what we would actually do if we were given the keys to this luxury Twins-sized SUV. Here is what I would actually do. Please feel free to criticize, as criticism is delicious. 

Throw everything out you know about pitching. This club will now have 12 pitchers. No starters. No relievers. Just pitchers. Everyone averages 6-8 innings a week. 

We shed a ton of salary (how you like that budget??? The Pohlad's would hire me instantly!) and leave options for the future wide open. Extend anyone who deserves. Leaves a ton of money for future FA. An escape plan is also within the works, but if all cylinders fire, this could be quite nice.

TRADES

1: Bryon Buxton to NYY for Jasson Dominguez

Yankees get outbid on Soto. Willing to roll the dice on 100 games from Byron. 

2. Carlos Correa, Jose Miranda, and David Festa to NYM for Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, Jose Butto, and Dedniel Nunez.

Mets use Carlos at 3B with Lindor at SS. We get 2 young, solid pieces (catcher also) of the future, along with 2 solid arms.

3, Pablo Lopez, Christian Vazquez, and "Painton" Eeles for Trinton Casas and Jaren Duran.

Boston gets an ace, a familar face, and a Pedroia look alike. We get 2 key pieces.

4. Chris Paddock and Cory Williams to SF for catcher Yohendry Sanchez (#21 prospect in SF)

5. Trevor Larnach, Eddie Julien, and Austin Martin to SEA for catcher Harry Ford (#49 in MLB)

6. Bailer Ober and Yunior Severino to ChiCubs for INF Matt Shaw (#22 MLB), OF Owen Caissie (#34 MLB), and RHP Cade Horton (#42 MLB). 

Cubs pay the price for a well established, middle of the rotation pitcher on the cheap for three years, and a nice throw in with Severino. We add to our system with 3 nice new farmers. 

FREE AGENCY

1. Matthew Boyd $5

2. Spencer Turnbull $3

3. Aroldis Chapman $7

4. Jordan Beeks $2

5. Ramon Laureano $2

My Lineup

(OF) Duran

(2B) Lee

(SS) Dominguez

(3B/DH) Rolls Royce

(1B) Trinton Casas

(OF) Matt Wallner 

(3B/DH) Mark Vientos

(C) Jeffers or Alvarez

(OF) Emmanuel Rodriguez

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($4.70M)
• 1B: Trinton Casas ($0.80M)
• 2B: Brooks Lee ($0.80M)
• 3B: Royce Lewis ($2.30M)
• SS: Jasson Dominguez ($0.80M)
• LF: Emmanuel Rodriguez ($0.80M)
• CF: Jaren Duran ($4.110M)
• RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M)
• DH: Mark Vientos ($0.80M)
• 4th OF: Ramon Laureano ($2.00M)
• Utility: Willi Castro ($6.20M)
• Utility: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M)
• Backup C: Francisco Alvarez ($0.80M)
• NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
• SP1: Matthew Boyd ($5.00M)
• SP2: Joe Ryan ($3.80M)
• SP3: Spencer Turnbull ($3.00M)
• SP4: Jose Butto ($0.80M)
• SP5: Jordan Beeks ($2.00M)
• RP: Jhoan Duran ($3.70M)
• RP: Brock Stewart ($0.80M)
• RP: Griffin Jax ($2.60M)
• RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.50M)
• RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M)
• RP: Aroldis Chapman ($7.00M)
• RP: Zebby Matthews ($0.80M)
• RP: Dedniel Nunez ($0.80M)
• NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 55.15% under budget

[ashbury]

What inducement do you give Correa to waive his no-trade and accept a "demotion" to third base?

[Vanimal46]

Who signs Soto? Dodgers?

[cmoss84]

He gets to play in big apple baby! Not to mention CC and Lindor both from Puero Rico. 

[cmoss84]

3 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Who signs Soto? Dodgers?

Dodgers

Giants

Phillies

[Vanimal46]

3 minutes ago, cmoss84 said:

He gets to play in big apple baby! Not to mention CC and Lindor both from Puero Rico. 

So the Mets go nuts adding over $100 million in payroll? They also need at minimum 2 starters. They're far more likely to be in on Corbin Burnes than Correa. 

Edit: My bad I thought this post was about Soto.

[cmoss84]

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

So the Mets go nuts adding over $100 million in payroll? They also need at minimum 2 starters. They're far more likely to be in on Corbin Burnes than Correa. 

Have the Mets ever worried about payroll? 

[Vanimal46]

7 minutes ago, cmoss84 said:

Dodgers

Giants

Phillies

All very plausible plus both NY teams. He's only going to a big market. Phillies trying to make that possibility happen by trying to unload Nick Castellanos. 

[Brett]

Super creative and a fun exercise. And thank you for at least keeping the Joe Ryan Experience!

[cmoss84]

On 11/23/2024 at 7:20 PM, cmoss84 said:

FREE AGENCY

1. Matthew Boyd $5

2. Spencer Turnbull $3

3. Aroldis Chapman $7

4. Jordan Beeks $2

5. Ramon Laureano $2

I have been WAY off in my FA numbers (Boyd got 2/30!!!??). Chapman got 11. 

But the good thing about cutting so much money in this plan is the flexibility to spend more on a guy you want or to move on to the next guy.

[tony&rodney]

Trades are the way forward.

[bean5302]

LOL, this was a fun blow it all up exercise complete with crazy trades from value and players teams don't even control.

1. Buxton says no, Yankees block the Twins phone number.
2. Correa says no, Mets say "hellllll no!!!!"
3. I think this might work. It all depends on how Boston feels about their pursuit of Soto and their payroll since they'd probably need to go find another CF'er. Personally, I think the Red Sox are leaning on Duran being a future franchise cornerstone so they might not be willing to part with him.
4. Sure, but I think you mean "Chris Williams" who the Twins have no control over since he elected MiLB free agency so the Twins can't trade him because they don't control him.
5. I think Seattle would do this deal just for the value.
6. Cubs laugh and block the Twins' number. Severino is worthless so I'm not sure why you included him, no team wanted him for free on waivers. I don't know as Ober brings back Shaw on his lonesome, let alone the rest of the package. BTV says like 25MM from the Twins for like 70MM from the Cubs.

Yeah, I'd have to agree, your FA numbers are not remotely reasonable. Turnbull is probably not taking $3MM after his year last year, but it's not like non-elite RPs are going to be able to command much more than that. Jordan Beeks (you mean Jalen Beeks?) is reasonable, Laureno is going to get more than that. Any position player a team could justify starting is going to make at least $4-5MM.

The real issue with your pivot strategy is you're low balling players thinking you can get top notch production for a special discount because the rest of the league doesn't recognize the value.


 

[cmoss84]

On 12/8/2024 at 10:24 AM, bean5302 said:

LOL, this was a fun blow it all up exercise complete with crazy trades from value and players teams don't even control.

1. Buxton says no, Yankees block the Twins phone number.
2. Correa says no, Mets say "hellllll no!!!!"
3. I think this might work. It all depends on how Boston feels about their pursuit of Soto and their payroll since they'd probably need to go find another CF'er. Personally, I think the Red Sox are leaning on Duran being a future franchise cornerstone so they might not be willing to part with him.
4. Sure, but I think you mean "Chris Williams" who the Twins have no control over since he elected MiLB free agency so the Twins can't trade him because they don't control him.
5. I think Seattle would do this deal just for the value.
6. Cubs laugh and block the Twins' number. Severino is worthless so I'm not sure why you included him, no team wanted him for free on waivers. I don't know as Ober brings back Shaw on his lonesome, let alone the rest of the package. BTV says like 25MM from the Twins for like 70MM from the Cubs.

Yeah, I'd have to agree, your FA numbers are not remotely reasonable. Turnbull is probably not taking $3MM after his year last year, but it's not like non-elite RPs are going to be able to command much more than that. Jordan Beeks (you mean Jalen Beeks?) is reasonable, Laureno is going to get more than that. Any position player a team could justify starting is going to make at least $4-5MM.

The real issue with your pivot strategy is you're low balling players thinking you can get top notch production for a special discount because the rest of the league doesn't recognize the value.


 

Thanks for your feedback. I don't have access to BTV: What does it say about #1 and #2? Why do Yankees/Mets hate these trades?

I think Boston goes for #3. #4 my bad...Corey LEWIS. #5 agreed.

6. Severino just seems like a Cubs kinda guy...even if he shuttles between AAA and MLB. But if they don't like him, take what you can get from Ober. Add another pitching prospect or two if needed.

7. My FA numbers were low, but we have a TON of money to make up the differences (55% under budget).