jay87shot’s 2026 Payroll Blueprint:

[jay87shot]

I would like to explain that this is a dream scenario that I know will never happen.

Trade 1) We get Byron Buxton (money from Mets $15, 5 per for 3 years)  Mets get Freddy Twins get  Brandon Sproat, Luis Angel Acuna, mid-tier prospect from Mets

We turn pitching into offense and get the Mets to save us some money on Buxton. The Twins get a solid haul of prospects and save cash. The Mets get a top of the rotation arm they can extend and by giving us cash for Buxton don't give up a top prospect

Trade 2) Trevor Megill, Isaac Collins, Aaron Ashby to Arizona for Ketel Marte and Byran Garcia (Arizona pays 15 million, 3 per for 5 years.

This is a hefty price to pay for Marte but it makes our offense unbelievable. Again I get the D-backs to pay up some cash to make the money close. I would keep Marte for two years (cheaper contract) and then trade him when Pena/Made are ready to recoup prospects. The D-Backs get 3 really valuable pieces that really fit needs well.

Sign)German Marquez 1/2 with incentives to 4 and team option 1/6 with 250k buyout   

Trade Perkins for mid level prospect

This would create a super offense with a young pitching staff. I would go with a 6 man rotation for the 1st half of the year and maybe even a couple piggyback situations in there at least for the 1st month.

 

• C: William Contreras ($11.10M)
• 1B: Andrew Vaughn ($7.80M)
• 2B: Ketel Marte ($11M)
• 3B: Caleb Durbin ($0.80M)
• SS: Brice Turang ($4.4M)
• LF: Byron Buxton ($10.1M)
• CF: Jackson Chourio ($7.25M)
• RF: Sal Frelick ($0.80M)
• DH: Christian Yelich ($26.00M)
• OF: Joey Ortiz ($0.80M)
• Utility: Andruw Monasterio ($0.80M)
• OF: Garrett Mitchell ($1.00M)
• 1B/OF: Jake Bauers ($2.00M)
• Backup C: Siegler/Quero ($0.8M)
• SP1: Gasser ($0.8M)
• SP2: Brandon Woodruff ($22.00M)
• SP3: Jacob Misiorowski ($0.80M)
• SP4: Logan Henderson ($0.80M)
• SP5: Quinn Priester ($0.80M)
• RP: Yoho/Garcia ($0.8M)
• RP: Abner Uribe ($0.80M)
• RP: Grant Anderson ($0.80M)
• RP: Jared Koenig ($0.80M)
• RP: Nick Mears ($1.60M)
• RP: German ($2M)
• RP: Hall ($0.8M)
• RP: Tobias Myers ($0.80M)

Payroll is 2.75% over budget

[wiguy94]

That Marte trade does not feel realistic at all. Marte is a legitimate superstar and they would likely want significantly more upside in return if they were trading him especially if they were sending money as well.

[wntrtxn21]

One thing, there is one too many players listed so either Mono or Ortiz has to go. As far as the trades: I can't see any value in getting Marquez when Patrick would very capably fill that spot. I think your trade values for Peralta are close (although I don't see the Mets kicking in the additional $15M). However, I wouldn't trade Peralta for a part time player in Buxton. I believe the Brewers could do better. Like wiguy94, I don't see any way the D'Backs would take such a weak package for Marte. No way they include the money. Why would Milwaukee want Bryan Garcia, even for a filler in AAA?