After all the discussion, I took another shot.  Add Carlos Rodon / Danby Swanson / Navarez and $8.5M budget for a BP arm.  $6M over budget.  If JP has a problem with the overage, I would pitch looking to trade one or both Kepler / Polanco mid-season which gets us closer to budget.  Either one could also be traded during the winter but the safer route would be to not rely on the rookies right out of spring training.  We also have $30M coming off next year.  We can borrow so to speak from 2024 with Varland / SWR / Martin and Julien all on the brink.

*** Sano's buyout is not included in the budget and probably should be.

• C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M)
• 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M)
• 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M)
• SS: Danby Swnason ($21.00M)
• LF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Max Kepler ($8.50M)
• DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M)
• 4th OF: Larnach or Wallner ($0.70M)
• Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M)
• Utility: Gilberto Celestino ($0.70M)
• Backup C: Navarez ($7.00M)
• SP1: Sonny Gray ($12.00M)
• SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M)
• SP3: Carlos Rodon ($26.00M)
• 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: Josh Winder ($0.70M)
• RP: Moran ($0.70M)
• RP: Budget ($8.5M)

Payroll is 0.99% over budget

What about Maeda?

20 minutes ago, SAL said:

What about Maeda?

I am thinking we trade him if we land Rodon because I don't know what we can count on the year after TJ.  I don't think it makes sense in this scenario to put Ryan or Ober in the BP.  We also have Varland / SWR and Paddack for depth.  Sands could start too if we were hit hard by injuries.

nice