I am tearing it down. But we can still be above .500 with this team, and there is much more financial and positional flexibility, while playing some young guys. E-Rod, Helman, Kiersey, and Keaschall all start with the big club. Willi stays. Five trades are made. We sign Iglesias, Eloy, Kelly, and Beeks in FA. We get a solid lefty in the rotation and an additional lefty in the pen. $12 under budget for extra wiggle room and extensions.
Subtractions:
Correa ($36), Buxton ($15), Vazquez ($10), Paddack ($7.5), Larnach ($2.10), Topa ($1.3) Martin ($.80), Julien ($.80), Zebby ($.80), Miranda ($.80), Raya ($.80), Eeles ($.80), Cory Lewis ($.80), and Severino ($.80).
Additions:
Nolan Arenado ($32), Eloy Jimenez ($8), Jesus Luzardo ($5.5), Iglesias ($5), Carson Kelly ($3), Jalen Beeks ($2.5), a top-100 catching prospect, and a few decent lottery tickets.
Lineup:
2B Lee
1B Rolls Royce
3B Arenado
RF Wallner
DH Eloy
C Jeffers
LF E-Rod
CF Matchups/hot bat
SS Iglesias
C: Ryan Jeffers ($4.70M)
1B: Royce Lewis ($2.30M)
2B: Brooks Lee ($0.80M)
3B: Nolan Arenado ($32.00M)
SS: Jose Igesias ($5.00M)
LF: Emmanuel Rodriguez ($0.80M)
CF: DaShawn Keirsey ($0.80M)
RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M)
DH: Eloy Jimenez ($8.00M)
4th OF: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M)
Utility: Willi Castro ($6.20M)
Utility: Michael Helman ($0.80M)
Backup C: Carson Kelly ($3.00M)
NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.50M)
SP2: Joe Ryan ($3.80M)
SP3: Bailey Ober ($4.30M)
SP4: Jesus Luzardo ($5.50M)
SP5: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.80M)
RP: Jhoan Duran ($3.70M)
RP: Brock Stewart ($0.80M)
RP: Griffin Jax ($2.60M)
RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.50M)
RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M)
RP: Jalen Beeks ($2.50M)
RP: Louie Varland ($0.80M)
RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.80M)
NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
Payroll is 11.23% under budget