Game7-91’s 2023 Payroll Blueprint

[Game7-91]

The Twins enter 2023 much the same as 2022, in competitive rebuild mode. I have them concentrating on developing quality and depth in the pitching side. The headliner move of the offseason is trading Miranda, Sabato, and Varland for Pablo Lopez, who slots in at #2 in the rotation. Maeda begins the season in a swing role, but by mid-season could be stretched into a starting role if injuries arise, especially Mahle. I am very nervous about Mahle, but SWR at AAA will be first up for injuries and single game fills.  The Twins finally invest in the BP, signing Montero ( I know, I know, fat chance, but this is dreaming),  and Ottavino to add veteran quality depth. Minor league options remain in the wings as a possible BP fill as well.

The big sign in FA is Brandon Nimmo, whose flexibility allows him to effectively platoon with Buck and take RF on a regular basis. Larnach begins the year in LF, but Wallner is in the wings at AAA. I decided to begin the season with Kiriloff as DH, but essentially he can platoon 1B with Arraez. If his wrist is still balky in the spring,  Wallner could slot into DH, or flyer-type FA signing to fill DH. The Brewers will let Narvaez walk, so we pony up and he joins Jeffers. I also like Jace Peterson's flexibility in the IF, so he signs and covers Polanco's inevitable IL trips, and could give IKF days off in some form of SS rotation. Gordon functions as basically a 5th OF, and more depth for CF. If Celestino falters badly, Wallner waits for a chance to fill.

IKF is obtained by trading Kepler, straight up. IKF is a stopgap to Lewis/Lee. Urshela comes back, but is highly tradeable by July if one of Lee/Lewis looks ready for 3B. Ditto IKF. Twins are betting big on a Lee/Lewis combo taking the left side of the infield b 2024.

Payroll is at 138M, slightly below budget. Twins could afford to add another 2-3M in salary going into July if needed, potentially another 12-13M if they were to move Urshela.

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M)
• 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M)
• 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M)
• SS: Kiner-Falefa ($5.00M)
• LF: Trevor Larnach ($0.70M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Brandon Nimmo ($19.00M)
• DH: Alex Kiriloff ($0.70M)
• 4th OF: Gilberto Celestino ($0.70M)
• Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M)
• Utility: Jace Peterson ($3.00M)
• Backup C: Omar Narvaez ($5.00M)
• SP1: Sonny Gray ($12.00M)
• SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M)
• SP3: Pablo Lopez ($6.00M)
• 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: Kenta Maeda ($9.00M)
• RP: Rafael Montero ($9.00M)
• RP: Adam Ottavino ($5.00M)

Payroll is 7.64% under budget

[LA VIkes Fan]

Interesting. What happened to Miranda? Back at AAA?

[stringer bell]

3 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Interesting. What happened to Miranda? Back at AAA?

I'll answer for Game &-91--part of the trade package for Pablo Lopez.

[ashbury]

The trade package for Pablo Lopez seems light from Miami's perspective.

Nimmo might be the straw that stirs the drink, though.  He won't be cheap but your salary guess seems close.

[tony&rodney]

Interesting idea for Lopez. Can we also get Edward Cabrera if we send Arraez and sub in Mahle for Varland?

[LA VIkes Fan]

On 11/7/2022 at 8:04 AM, stringer bell said:

I'll answer for Game &-91--part of the trade package for Pablo Lopez.

My bad, I missed that. Seems like a light package for Lopez. Having said that, I would make the deal if Miami was interested. Maybe trade out Sands for Varland (baseball trade values has them close with Sands slightly more valuable). Or, if we need to, substitute Winder (much more valuable) and get Miami to throw in a catching prospect? I like Miranda and think he will be an above average but not All Star caliber hitter for the next 10 years. He also plays a position that could be manned by Lewis or Lee in the next year or two. He is exactly the kind of guy we will  need to trade to get a Lopez level starter. It's worth it to me.