tony&rodney’s 2027 Payroll Blueprint: Happy 11/11

[tony&rodney]

Apparently, there is money to spend.            Rojas and Festa start in AAA.                           

Free Agents (3): Ty France - 2/$30M; Adrian Morejon - 4/$80M; David Bednar - 3/$60M.

Trade Dean Kremer, Kyle DeBarge, and Ryan Gallagher to San Diego for Luis Campusano. 

Trade Matt Wallner, Austin Martin, and Cole Sands to Pittsburgh for Henry Davis.         

Trade Bailey Ober, Trevor Larnach, and Alan Roden to Arizona for Jordan Lawlar.           

Trade Victor Caratini, Eduardo Tait, Brooks Lee, Kody Clemens, and Riley Quick to Cincinnati for Elly De La Cruz and Ke'Bryan Hayes.

• C: Luis Campusano ($2.00M)
• 1B: Ty France ($15.00M)
• 2B: Marek Houston ($1.00M)
• 3B: Kaelen Culpepper ($1.00M)
• SS: Elly De La Cruz ($8.00M)
• LF: Emmanuel Rodriguez ($1.00M)
• CF: Walker Jenkins ($1.00M)
• RF: Luke Keaschall ($1.00M)
• DH: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• 4th OF: Jordan Lawlar ($1.00M)
• Utility: Ke'Bryan Hayes ($7.00M)
• Utility: Ryan Kreidler ($1.00M)
• Backup C: Henry Davis ($1.50M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
• SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.75M)
• SP2: Joe Ryan ($10.00M)
• SP3: Taj Bradley ($4.50M)
• SP4: Connor Prielipp ($1.00M)
• SP5: Mick Abel ($1.00M)
• RP: David Bednar ($20.00M)
• RP: Adrian Morejon ($20.00M)
• RP: Tommy Nance ($1.25M)
• RP: Yoendrys Gomez ($1.00M)
• RP: Kody Funderburk ($1.00M)
• RP: Travis Adams ($1.00M)
• RP: Andrew Morris ($1.00M)
• RP: Zebby Matthews ($1.00M)
• POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 3.57% over budget

[thelanges5]

Looks like a good roster. What happened to Hoffman?

[Cory Engelhardt]

Always like your input.

I have a hard time seeing them sign two guys with QO's attached. Just my opinion. But I suppose if you are already signing one, what's one more?

I think Debarge in the deal for Campusano is a bit pricey. I want to see how he looks in AAA before deciding to trade him.

That is a really interesting package for EDLC. I'd be curious if the Reds would want that many guys who aren't prospects.

Fun to read :)

 

Unrelated, 11/11, November 11`th, I've learned is called Singles day. It started in China apparently but it's in New Zealand now and other places around the world. Apparently two 11's next two each other are supposed to look like 4 unmarried stick people standing around, and they are single. All kinds of physical and online stores have sales on Singles day. I thought it was fun/funny to learn of that holiday, and now I can't unsee it.

[ashbury]

Lewis not on the roster, not mentioned in the trades.  Simply cut?

[Whammy]

I was nodding along on your transactions until I got to the last one, then I let out an audible laugh. Not because I think trading for Elly is impossible, but more at the sheer audacity of it. Also I think it would take more. It feels like Culpepper would need to be involved. 

Love the aggressiveness. 

[Whammy]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Always like your input.

I have a hard time seeing them sign two guys with QO's attached. Just my opinion. But I suppose if you are already signing one, what's one more?

 

Reminds me of the line from 'Contact'

Why built just one, when you can build two at twice the price?

[ashbury]

2 minutes ago, Whammy said:

I was nodding along on your transactions until I got to the last one, then I let out an audible laugh. Not because I think trading for Elly is impossible, but more at the sheer audacity of it. Also I think it would take more. It feels like Culpepper would need to be involved. 

Note that Hayes is included in the deal.  Cincy would love to unload the three guaranteed years remaining on that contract, I bet.

[tony&rodney]

So I added Bednar late, which booted Hoffman. That is a major boo-boo on my part, which is why I'm not a GM. Realistically, the Twins can pay too much for one reliever and even add a Jo Jo Romero or Bryan Abreu if they want. To fix the Hoffman mistake, add him and send Gomez to the Reds.

Royce Lewis still has value but I can't find a suitable somewhat reasonable trade. To the Angels for minor league pitching or try to get a competitive balance pick for Lewis. In one attempt at changing things up I traded Lewis and Ryan for Michael Busch, Pedro Rodriguez, and Jaxon Wiggins. Trading Ryan is a difficult call.

The trade for Elly is an attempt at shaking it up, adding a big talent who would be nearly impossible to sign long term. One wonders if the Reds would trade him. The benefit of the guys in the pile from the Twins is that there is quite a bit of control from players who are already MLB players along with some decent prospects. Taking Hayes off of the Reds roster helps them clear dollars and Hayes can still play defense and run. His bat has worms but maybe cold weather helps him. 

The Twins could use a defensive catcher. Austin Hedges is available but Campusano is pretty good and a decent bat, plus San Diego really needs pitching. DeBarge pushes the deal forward.

My biggest fear as a Twins fan is watching the front office roll it back again with the same basic roster. Catcher, first, and second base needs better gloves and the Twins need at least one bullpen pitcher.

Tommy says ... Go Big. I tried.

 

[tony&rodney]

Does anyone think the Reds would listen on the parameters of this deal? Lee and Clemens hit a pile of home runs and were good last season. The Reds need a catcher. Tait and Quick are good to very good prospects. Add Gomez to clear a spot for my missing Hoffman. The money favors the Reds now and in the next two years as well. The Reds have said they love Elly but would ask for a haul if he was moved. Three prospects from a team might get some attention (Dodgers?) but prospects are not sure things unless we are talking top ten guys. Lee and Clemens are good. Then why trade them? Elly raises the talent and excitement floor of the Twins club. I would exchange Culpepper for Lee if this were a thing. I thought the Reds would prefer Lee.

[Whammy]

I don't believe that other teams view Clemens as having particularly positive value, especially as he is now in his arbitration years

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, Whammy said:

I don't believe that other teams view Clemens as having particularly positive value, especially as he is now in his arbitration years

You may be correct. I have no knowledge about player value ultimately.

Clemens has 3 years before free agency, which matches De La Cruz. Lee, Tait, Quick, and Gomez (if added) provide significant years of quality, prospect possibility, and cost control. Hayes (of negative value) leaving gives the Reds further cost value. I think this idea is 1 in 1 million because it is beyond a stretch and the Twins may never see this type of exchange as in their benefit. There was an article suggesting that the Dodgers could acquire Elly for their top three prospects, all outfielders. Is it farfetched to consider the package of Twins I proposed as superior to adding three prospects? In any event, I'm hoping the Twins do something.