lecroy24fan’s 2026 Payroll Blueprint: So long Pablo, welcome back Arraez

[lecroy24fan]

Pablo Lopez to NYM for a package that includes SP Jonah Tong and C Chris Suero. Neither starts the year in MLB.

Luis Arraez comes back on a one year deal in attempt to please fans.

Luke Maile signed to be backup catcher, or another vet at the same money. Not really much to pick from though. I'd take Vazquez back at this price or a little more instead.

RP Justin Wilson and Liam Hendricks signed, with Liam getting incentives to make his contract worth up to $5M.

Not much will get done here. A payroll under $90M is very likely, and if you don't have Arraez like I do here it could be around $70M. 

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($6.60M)
• 1B: Luis Arraez ($12.00M)
• 2B: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M)
• 3B: Royce Lewis ($3.00M)
• SS: Brooks Lee ($0.80M)
• LF: Walker Jenkins ($0.80M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M)
• DH: Trevor Larnach ($4.70M)
• 4th OF: Alan Roden ($0.80M)
• Utility: Austin Martin ($0.80M)
• Utility: Kody Clemens ($1.12M)
• Backup C: Luke Maile ($0.97M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
• SP1: Joe Ryan ($5.80M)
• SP2: Bailey Ober ($4.60M)
• SP3: Simeon Woods-Richardson ($0.80M)
• SP4: Zebby Matthews ($0.80M)
• SP5: Mick Abel ($0.80M)
• RP: Liam Hendricks ($5.00M)
• RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.80M)
• RP: Cole Sands ($1.30M)
• RP: Pierson Ohl ($0.80M)
• RP: Travis Adams ($0.80M)
• RP: David Festa ($0.80M)
• RP: Justin Wilson ($1.50M)
• RP: Taj Bradley ($0.80M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 33.83% under budget