weitz41’s 2023 Payroll Blueprint

[weitz41]

With this FO and there lack of signing SP's to contracts and how they've spent in the past on bats I went with an offensive approach. This wish list  is with expecting Correa to optout and trading Kepler.

Willson Contreras-5 yrs $116 mil. The FO is aggressive and does this early for a change..Do we have any catchers in the minors even 2-3 years away?

 Mitch Haniger-2 yr $25 mil. The FO waits this one out and get their patience signing..Injury concerns leave him looking for a job..That hasn't bothered this FO before. Maybe they can get him a little cheaper like 2 yr $20mil

Marwin Gonzales-1 yr $1.25. Its a name we know. It doesn't have to be Marwin but a utility guy from outside the organization. 

Micheal Fulmer-3 yrs $16.5 mil. I know a reliever and multiyear contract..Hey it's my wish list.

Rafael Montero- 2yrs $9.5 mil. Same as above.

Emilio Pagan....Got to keep the FO in mind..They won't give up on him so just grin a bare it..

Austin Martin, SS/OF- No way!! I get it, but I believe our starting SS is already in the organization.

• C: Willson Contreras ($23.2M)
• 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M)
• 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M)
• SS: Austin Martin, SS/OF ($0.70M)
• LF: Trevor Larnach ($0.70M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Mitch Haniger ($12.5M)
• DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M)
• 4th OF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M)
• Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M)
• Utility: Marwin Gonzales ($1.25M)
• Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M)
• SP1: Sonny Gray ($12.00M)
• SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M)
• SP3: Kenta Maeda ($9.00M)
• SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.70M)
• SP5: Bailey Ober ($0.70M)
• RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M)
• RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M)
• RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M)
• RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M)
• RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M)
• RP: Micheal Fulmer ($5.5M)
• RP: Rafael Montero ($4.75M)
• RP: Emilio Pagan ($3.00M)

Payroll is 8.43% under budget

[Doctor Gast]

Agree that starting catching is our #1 issue & Contreras is our best option but Narvaez would make a nice 2nd choice.

SS is the #2 issue, I was hopeful to eventual sign Correa on a short deal but it becoming more & more unlikely. Unlike you I believe Martin is not close to being our starting SS. Our only inhouse option is Palacios but no one is confident that he can convert his AAA hitting into MLB. So a 1yr. placeholder for Lewis until he's ready is IMO our only option.

I'm finally very confident w/ our OF (eventhough I've advocated for years) I'd wouldn't get anyone outside, Buxton our CF, Kepler RF, Larnach & Kiriloff's upside is great, Gordon & Celestino are steady & very competent in CF. We also have Cave & Garlic if need be.

I like our talent enough to keep utility inhouse.

I'd like at least 1 front line SP. I'd be happy if Maeda would come close to match Archer's #s so since he has experience  in the BP that's where I'd put him to begin the season. We need to establish a strong long relief corp. That's our strongest pitching depth, it'd be a pity not to finally exploit that. But even if we don't sign a front line SP. Our long relief could compensate for that.

Another high leverage arm would be nice, an option is to sign  Rogers, we know how to manage him and w/ us he could be very good.