Richie the Rally Goat’s 2026 Payroll Blueprint: How many wins in ‘26

[Richie the Rally Goat]

If the Twins trade away Jeffers, Ryan, Lopez for prospects and the status remains quo… how many wins.

would this roster get gutted further?

 

edit to add, I did not lookup MLBTR estimates for salaries and might be missing arbitration 

• C: Johnny Pereda ($.8M)
• 1B: Kody Clemens ($.8M)
• 2B: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M)
• 3B: Royce Lewis ($2.30M)
• SS: Brooks Lee ($.8M)
• LF: Austin Martin ($.8M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M)
• DH: James Outman ($.8M)
• 4th OF: Ryan Kreidler ($0.80M)
• Utility: Mickey Gasper ($.8M)
• Utility: Eduoard Julien ($0.80M)
• Backup C: Christian Vazquez ($1.5M)
• NA: Dead Money Here ($10.00M)
• SP1: David Festa ($0.80M)
• SP2: Mick Abel ($.80M)
• SP3: Bailey Ober ($5.3M)
• SP4: Taj Bradley ($.8M)
• SP5: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.80M)
• RP: Cody Funderburk ($.8M)
• RP: Travis Adams ($0.80M)
• RP: Pierson Ohl ($.8M)
• RP: Cody Lawyerson ($.8M)
• RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M)
• RP: Anthony Misiewicz ($.8M)
• RP: Fungible Reliever 1 ($0.80M)
• RP: Fungible Reliever 2 ($0.80M)
• NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 64.34% under budget

[Cory Engelhardt]

You traded players but got nothing back that could help the team more than James Outman being both A) On the team and B) The dh?

Did they specifically receive players via trade that are still in high school? 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

6 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

You traded players but got nothing back that could help the team more than James Outman being both A) On the team and B) The dh?

Did they specifically receive players via trade that are still in high school? 

I assumed they traded for prospects in high A/double A to be a part of the next wave. If 26 is lost, 27 is potentially locked out, aim for ‘28

edit to add: feel free to substitute outman for whatever rookie contract you desire.

[Cory Engelhardt]

3 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

I assumed they traded for prospects in high A/double A to be a part of the next wave. If 26 is lost, 27 is potentially locked out, aim for ‘28

edit to add: feel free to substitute outman for whatever rookie contract you desire.

I think that’s pretty majorly undervaluing the players that would be coming back in a deal, especially for Ryan. That’s all I meant. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

I think that’s pretty majorly undervaluing the players that would be coming back in a deal, especially for Ryan. That’s all I meant. 

Could be, I assume Ryan would cost the farm, a high wattage starting pitcher and hitter, but looking at this most recent trade deadline, all of the trades kinda sucked. The purpose was not to improve for ‘26, no matter what bologna Falvey was spewing

[Cory Engelhardt]

30 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Could be, I assume Ryan would cost the farm, a high wattage starting pitcher and hitter, but looking at this most recent trade deadline, all of the trades kinda sucked. The purpose was not to improve for ‘26, no matter what bologna Falvey was spewing

Most of the players that were traded were free agents to be. After that the others were relievers which, historically, do bring good value especially during the in season deadline. No starting pitching was traded, no prospects were traded.

 

[lecroy24fan]

Who are they trading to get Varland back?

[Chembry]

1 hour ago, lecroy24fan said:

Who are they trading to get Varland back?

And why Joey Wentz?  We already tested those waters?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, lecroy24fan said:

Who are they trading to get Varland back?

Whoops!

[jctwins]

I definitely think this is where they're headed. Really I almost hope they do. It removes even the appearance of hope, which is where we should be as a fan base.

[Mike Sixel]

7 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I think that’s pretty majorly undervaluing the players that would be coming back in a deal, especially for Ryan. That’s all I meant. 

I doubt they get MLB starters back. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

51 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I doubt they get MLB starters back. 

For opening day 26? Or for all of time?

Dan Hayes literally today said the price for Ryan is starting with two top 50 prospects, one of which is ready now and the other could be a lottery ticket. That’s the starting point, and it’s a fair one