MTV’s 2023 Payroll Blueprint

[MTV]

Move #1: Non-Tender Emilio Pagan and Waiver Mark Contreras

this clears up space on the 40-man roster, Pagan isn’t consistent enough and Contreras is awful with the bat, but I could see him returning. 40-man Total: 38

Move #2: Trade Max Kepler to the Kansas City Royals for Adalberto Mondesi and Luca Tresh

The Royals need more outfielders and like high-quality defense, which they will find in Kepler. With Bobby Witt, Nicky Lopez and Nick Pratto covering second, third, and Short Mondesi becomes expendable, and fills a backup infielder role in Minnesota. Tresh is a Catching Prospect who ended his year in AA, and is KC’s 15th ranked prospect. He adds at least one top 30 Catcher to the Twin’s Farm System.
40-Man total: 38

Move #3: Sign C Christian Vasquez to a 2-year, $14 million deal ($6.5, $6.5, $7m Club Option w/ $1m buyout)

Vasquez provides veteran leadership and a serviceable bat to Platoon with Jeffers for the next 2-3 years. 40-Man Total: 39

Move #4: Trade Trevor Larnach, Josh Winder and Steven Cruz to the Tampa Bay Rays for Tyler Glasnow and Nick Bitsko

yes, this does look exactly like the Chris Archer Trade. I think Glasnow is a different case however, as when he’s healthy he could be in contention for a Cy Young award easily, look at 2019 and 2021. His $30m Guaranteed over the next 2 years makes his contract shaky, but manageable. It also is why I threw Nick Bitsko in, so it’s not all just Glasnow. Larnach and Winder have potential but are inconsistent and injury-prone, while Cruz can throw 100 with control issues. A work in progress that Tampa is okay with taking on. 40-Man Total: 38

Move #5: Trade Kyle Garlick, Edouard Julien, Tanner Schobel and Brayan Medina to the San Francisco Giants for Tyler Rogers, Austin Slater and Sean Hjelle.

Might take a bit to explain this one. Slater is actually my main target for this one, providing above-average offense and an ability to capably play all 3 outfield spots. Rogers is key for my next move, and adds more quality to the bullpen at a low price. Hjelle I just like, he’s a Minnesota Native and the Twins have fixed taller players before (Ober). As for the return, San Fran loves platoons and needs a righty in the outfield, Garlick is the perfect fit. Julien becomes their 2B of the future, while Schobel and Medina they need to figure out (This is the deal I’m most shaky on for the return). 40-Man Total: 39

Move #6: Sign Taylor Rogers to a 3-year, $24 million deal ($7, $8, $8, $9m Club Option w/ $1m Buyout)

The Twins could always use bullpen help, and Rogers would be a welcome addition to help shut down the 8th/9th. 40-Man Total: 40

Move #7: Twins Acquire Hunter Renfroe and James Wood for Jordan Balazovic and Trevor Megill.

Renfore replaces both Kepler and Garlick, providing Lefty-Mashing from the middle of the lineup for a season before Wallner gets called up. Balazovic and Megill will likely become great with the Brewers somehow, but that’s alright. 40-Man Total: 39

Final Move: Sign SS Xander Bogaerts to a 7-year, $200 Million deal ($25, $30, $30, $30, $30, $28, $27)

The Twins get their High-end Shortstop and 3rd Batter, Bogaerts holds down Short for 2 years and then transfers to Second Eventually. 40-Man Total: 40

Minor move elsewhere: Sign Zack Collins to a 1-year, $700 thousand minor league deal

Other Notes:

Jovani Moran, Gilberto Celestino, and Zack Collins all begin season at Saint Paul, all on $700k Salaries, raising the total to $139.5m. 

• C: Christian Vasquez ($6.50M)
• 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.63M)
• 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M)
• 3B: Gio Urshela ($8.67M)
• SS: Xander Bogaerts ($25.00M)
• LF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M)
• CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M)
• RF: Hunter Renfroe ($10.80M)
• DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M)
• 4th OF: Austin Slater ($2.70M)
• Utility: Adalberto Mondesi ($3.00M)
• Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M)
• Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M)
• SP1: Tyler Glasnow ($5.35M)
• SP2: Sonny Gray ($12.70M)
• SP3: Joe Ryan ($0.70M)
• SP4: Tyler Mahle ($7.18M)
• SP5: Bailey Ober ($0.70M)
• RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M)
• RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.10M)
• RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M)
• RP: Jorge Alcala ($0.80M)
• RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.25M)
• RP: Taylor Rogers ($7.00M)
• RP: Tyler Rogers ($2.00M)
• RP: Kenta Maeda ($3.12M)

Payroll is 5.07% under budget

[stringer bell]

Well thought out and certainly plausible. Nit pick—it isn’t really a platoon when both guys hit right (or left) handed. More accurately a job share.