farmerguychris’s 2026 Payroll Blueprint: My prediction

[farmerguychris]

I expect even the owners can see Ryan is a good value at 5.8.  Worry is if they feel they can get the world for him for 2028 and beyond, then he's gone.  Will move Lopez for less than they would take for Ryan, just to get his salary off the books.

I anticipate the FO being forced to fill the pen with internal options making minimum salaries.

For the hitters - I think Jeffers will be traded as he won't get any better as he plays his age 29 season and his salary is expected to increase.  I expect they'd prefer to play someone with a minimum salary, but I can't find a starter worthy at that rate of pay - so I'll bring in McCann at only $100K higher than he made last year.

Larnach is traded, Gasper is our back up C, and will go with a star rookie to be our DH/bench player.  On the fence about Julien, but as long as making minimal money - I'll keep him on the team.

I feel bad for Buxton, but I expect we'll come in at about $66.3M for this year as the owners prepare to lose a big amount during the 2027 lockout.  

• C: James McCann ($1.10M)
• 1B: Kody Clemens ($1.10M)
• 2B: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M)
• 3B: Royce Lewis ($3.00M)
• SS: Brooks Lee ($0.80M)
• LF: James Outman ($0.80M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M)
• DH: Jenkins/Cullpepper/ERod ($0.80M)
• 4th OF: Alan Roden ($0.80M)
• Utility: Austin Martin ($0.80M)
• Utility: Edouard Julien ($0.80M)
• Backup C: Mickey Gasper ($0.80M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($10.00M)
• SP1: Joe Ryan ($5.8M)
• SP2: Bailey Ober ($4.0M)
• SP3: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.80M)
• SP4: Zebby Matthews ($.80M)
• SP5: Mick Abel ($.080M)
• RP: Justin Topa ($1.75M)
• RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.80M)
• RP: Cole Sands ($1.30M)
• RP: Pierson Ohl ($0.80M)
• RP: Travis Adams ($0.80M)
• RP: Connor Prielipp ($0.80M)
• RP: Marco Raya ($0.80M)
• RP: Andrew Morris ($0.80M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 48.43% under budget

[Cory Engelhardt]

Oof, having Outman both A) On the team, and B) STARTING, especially ahead of either Martin or Roden is sure a choice.

[DJL44]

If you're going to sell that hard, you need to sell Buxton, Ryan and Ober as well. Even then, I'd pick up a minor league free agent and release Julien.

[chpettit19]

Not sure why they keep Ryan if they're selling everyone else and going with a bare bones payroll. The fact that he's a good deal at that price is why you sell him. You're not winning while you have him here so go get somebody who will be here when you are ready to win.