Chembry’s 2027 Payroll Blueprint:

[Chembry]

I really enjoy working with this tool.  

Here is my blueprint for next year.  I am operating under the assumption that Jeffers will turn down the QO.  The Twins have stated they want to add a bat to replace Jeffers.  There are only a few bats in this FA class that meets that fit that requirement: Seiya Suzuki, Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, Jake Bauers.  Terauki Sato could be that, but it's unknown. I think both Brandon Lowe and Jake Bauers are attainable.  I do think Bauers accepts the QO, which may drive the value of the other bats up.  Sato could be attainable, but I just don't see the Twins taking that risk, although it would be fun to see them making that jump.

Edit: This blueprint was a bit over budget, but very doable.  Before I pushed share, I was 2.5% over budget at $138.9M, which includes $10M for Correa.

FA Signings:

Brandon Lowe 3/$75M: We do lose our 3rd highest draft pick, but I am also predicting we gain a comp A pick with Jeffers signing elsewhere.  Could also consider Jazz Chisholm, Luis Arraez, or Ty France for this spot.  Alec Bohm or Ryan Mountcastle would be a lower wattage move.  I settled on Lowe because he is the biggest bat of the bunch, but will also cost the most.  The Twins would have to outbid others to get him.  That's why I went to $75M

Bryan Abreu 2/$22M:  We know the Twins really like Abreu as the Twins thought they traded for him.  

Brock Burke 2/$14M: Under the radar, hard throwing solid LHRP. 2026 stats: 77g, 74.1 IP, 2.30 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 77Ks, 40 BBs)  2026 he definitely had an elevated BB rate, but historically really hasn't been an issue.  Been pretty good in high-leverage situations.  Immediately becomes the #1 LH arm in the BP.  I don't think he gets $9M AAV, but that is the figure listed in the options.  I think he gets $4-5M AAV, so I split the difference at $7M AAV

Trades:

Trevor Larnach to SDP for Luis Campusano:  We know SDP had significant interest in Larnach at the deadline.  SDP also has a surplus of C.   We may or may not need to add a low level prospect to facilitate the deal. 

Royce Lewis + low level prospect for Michael Peterson or Victor Vodnik:  MLBTR reported the Marlins are looking to add corner IF and COF. Michael Peterson throws hard and had a very good 2026 (65g, 65.2IP, 3.02 ERA, 81Ks, 29 BB, 3.13 FIP, 133 ERA+).  I chose Michael Peterson because he is older (32) and maybe the Marlins would be a little more willing to part with him vs Victor Vodnik who they just traded for.  

Dean Kremer + Gabby Gonzalez for Jordan Westburg:  MLBTR reported that the Orioles are open to offers on all their players. I put Westburg at 1B to reduce stress on his throwing arm as he is recovering from TJ surgery. Westburg has been above average when healthy.  When Marek Houston arrives, Westburg goes to the UTIL role, Culpepper moves to 2B and Lowe to 1B. 

Non-Tenders:

Bailey Ober, Cole Sands, Anthony Banda, Wallner

Anthony Banda: I do think the Twins bring him back on a MiLB deal to serve as BP depth for the 2nd half of the year.

Notes:

Starting P Depth: Mick Abel, Kendry Rojas, Ryan Gallagher, Mike Paredes, potentially Riley Quick or Adrian Bohorquez later in 2027,  Festa, if healthy (although I see him more as BP depth over anything else)

BP Depth: 

Travis Adams, Mike Paredes, Banda, Raya, Acton, Pasqualotto, Festa (when healthy), CJ Culpepper, other MiLB signings

C/IF Depth: 

Alex Jackson (brining him back on MiLB deal), Cardenas, Ben Ross, Schobel, Sabato (MiLB deal or going overseas), Morrissette, other MiLB signings

OF Depth:

Martin or Roden (whoever doesn't make the team out of ST), Mendez, Kaka'i Rosario (bring back on MiLB deal)

 

• C: Luis Campusano ($1.70M)
• 1B: Jordan Westburg ($1.50M)
• 2B: Brandon Lowe ($25.00M)
• 3B: Brooks Lee ($1.00M)
• SS: Kaelen Culpepper ($1.00M)
• LF: Emmanuel Rodriguez ($1.00M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Walker Jenkins ($1.00M)
• DH: Luke Keaschall ($1.00M)
• 4th OF: Alan Roden or Austin Martin ($1.00M)
• Utility: Kody Clemens ($3.60M)
• Utility: Ryan Kreidler ($1.00M)
• Backup C: Victor Caratini ($7.00M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
• SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.50M)
• SP2: Joe Ryan ($9.60M)
• SP3: Taj Bradley ($4.50M)
• SP4: Connor Prielipp ($1.00M)
• SP5: Zebby Matthews ($1.00M)
• RP: Jeff Hoffman ($7.25M)
• RP: Bryan Abreu ($11.0M)
• RP: Tommy Nance ($1.20M)
• RP: Yoendrys Gomez ($1.00M)
• RP: Kody Funderburk ($1.00M)
• RP: Michael Peterson ($1.00M)
• RP: Andrew Morris ($1.00M)
• RP: Brock Burke ($7.00M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 4.56% under budget