Another disappointing season for the local nine. Free agency starts on Thursday so it's time to build a team that can do more than win low 90s in a weak division.
Team roster
I've tentatively written in the more prominent players from 2022 still on the roster. Mix and match as you see it.
Position players (13)
Catchers (2): Jeffers, ??
1B: Arraez
2B: Polanco
3B: Miranda
SS:
DH:
Utility/backups (2):
LF: Gordon
CF: Buxton
RF: Kepler
Backup outfielder: Celestino
Pitchers (13)
Starters (5): Gray, Ryan, ...
Relievers (50 8): Duran, ...
Here are the players under contract right now. Roster information from RosterResource.
Guaranteed contracts for 2023
| Player | 2023 cost (millions) |
|---|---|
| Byron Buxton | $15.143 |
| Sonny Gray | $12.5 |
| Max Kepler | $8.5 |
| Jorge Polanco | $7.5 |
| Kenta Maeda | $3.125 |
| Rodney Dobnak | $1.5 |
| TOTAL | $48.268 |
Arbitration-eligible players
All figures estimated.
| Player | 2023 cost (millions) |
|---|---|
| Gio Urshela | $9.2 |
| Emilio Pagán | $3.7 |
| Tyler Mahle | $7.2 |
| Caleb Thielbar | $2.4 |
| Jorge López | $3.7 |
| Chris Paddack | $2.4 |
| Luis Arraez | $5.0 |
| Cody Stashak | $0.8 |
| Jorge Alcala | $0.8 |
| Kyle Garlick | $1.1 |
| TOTAL | $36.3 |
Not yet arbitration-eligible, on 40-player
Some of these players were on the 60-day IL and will go back to start 2023.
- Jordan Balazovic
- Gilberto Celestino
- Mark Contreras
- Jhoan Duran
- Blayne Enlow
- Nick Gordon
- Ronny Henriquez
- Griffin Jax
- Ryan Jeffers
- Alex Kirilloff
- Trevor Larnach
- Royce Lewis
- José Miranda
- Trevor Megill
- Jovani Moran
- Bailey Ober
- Joe Ryan
- Cole Sands
- Caleb Thielbar
- Louie Varland
- Matt Wallner
- Josh Winder
- Simeon Woods Richardson
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed | $48.268 |
| Arbitration | $36.3 |
| Minimum to fill roster (10, $720k each) | $7.2 |
| TOTAL | $91.768 |
Estimated final payroll for 2022 was $142 million. Estimated current 2023 payroll is $91.8 million. That's $50 million or a little more to spend to fill holes. What trades do you make? How will you spend the Pohlads' money?
My vote: hand over a lot of money to Correa. Also sign a good starter like Rodón.
Correa's fellow Puerto Rican, Lindor, is eight months older and received a $341 million / ten year contract that started this year.
Teams are going to run all over us, and also not vice-versa.
My vote: explore the trade market for Polanco, move Arraez back to 2b, Miranda to 1b, and retain Urshela (yes, I know I wasn't thrilled with his acquisition, but he's been solid). Use Polanco to acquire a reasonable starter and/or a bunch of prospects.
Go get the Dior of Defense