Chembry’s 2026 Payroll Blueprint: Iteration #1-Not trading Joe Ryan

[Chembry]

I have been traveling for work and finally got the chance to do this.  This is iteration #1

I added Winkour to the trade for Soderstrom as a bonus to pry him away from the A's.  As it stands Bradley has significantly more value than Soderstrom according to BBTV (41.2 vs 33.3).

Not sure if the Cubs like Ober enough to trade for him, but the trade values line up with Wiggins and Long.  I have said this before, but I am pretty high on Long after seeing him play many times and I think he could be the future 1B.  If he falters, Soderstrom can move to 1B and Roden goes to LF

Wiggins and Rojas used as SP depth in AAA.  Soderstrom can also play 1B or C.  Ford would be the C of the future, but can also play elsewhere.  Culpepper starts in AAA, but bring him up as soon as he is ready, move Lee to utility.     

Trades:

Taj Bradley/Brandon Winkour to A's for Tyler Soderstrom

Emmanuel Rodriguez for Harry Ford

Bailey Ober/Justin Topa to Cubs for Jaxon Wiggins and Jonathon Long

FA Signings:

Pete Fairbanks - 2/20

Seranthony Dominguez - 2/18

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($6.60M)
• 1B: Jonathon Long ($0.8M)
• 2B: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M)
• 3B: Royce Lewis ($3.00M)
• SS: Brooks Lee ($0.80M)
• LF: Tyler Soderstrom ($0.80M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Walker Jenkins ($0.80M)
• DH: Matt Wallner ($0.80M)
• 4th OF: Alan Roden ($0.80M)
• Utility: Austin Martin ($0.80M)
• Utility: Kody Clemens ($1.10M)
• Backup C: Harry Ford ($0.80M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0M)
• SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.75M)
• SP2: Joe Ryan ($5.80M)
• SP3: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.80M)
• SP4: Zebby Matthews ($0.80M)
• SP5: Mick Abel ($0.80M)
• RP: David Festa ($0.8M)
• RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.80M)
• RP: Cole Sands ($1.30M)
• RP: Pete Fairbanks ($10.0M)
• RP: Seranthony Dominguez ($9.0M)
• RP: Connor Prielipp ($0.80M)
• RP: Marco Raya ($0.80M)
• RP: Andrew Morris ($0.80M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 20.77% under budget

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, Chembry said:

Bradley has significantly more value than Soderstrom according to BBTV (41.2 vs 33.3).

 

Thank you for posting. It looks pretty fair.

About BBTV .... I don't want to trash it but their reality only fits on rare occasions. Think of it like this - Soderstrom plays decent defense, doesn't hurt anyone or himself running the bases because he is savvy, and his bat fits in the middle of any lineup in MLB. Is Taj Bradley, a guy with really good stuff, anywhere near to Soderstrom in value at this time? The last three words are important. West Sacramento has a few big bats and is building towards their debut in Las Vegas in 2028. I would love Soderstrom or Kurtz. Kurtz is worth a big pile of players. 

You might be correct on Long. He likes to hit. In some ways he is like Busch the Cubs first baseman.

[Chembry]

I agree on BBTV…I use it more of a guide.  There are definitely some limitations to BBTV.  
I know the A’s are looking for pitching and MLBTR floated Shea langeliers as trade bait on a recent podcast.  One of them, can’t remember who, also stated Soderstrom as an option as well.  Bradley, is still only 24, has quite a bit of upside and under control through 2029.  I thought Winkour might put the deal over the top with his tools.  But you’re right, it may not be enough.