Since it has been much discussed here at BCB. I figured I would go on record with what I would like to see done during the offseason. With the arbitration estimates I have seen according to the esteemed Arizona Phil.

SIGNED:
Alfonso Soriano - $18M
Carlos Marmol - $9.8M
David DeJesus - $4.25M
Jorge Soler - $1M (plus second $3M installment of $6M signing bonus)
Gerardo Concepcion - $500K
SUB-TOTAL: $36.55M

PROJECTED ESTIMATED SALARY ARBITRATION (rounded-off to nearest $250K):
Matt Garza - $13.25M?
Starlin Castro- $4M? (very likely “Super Two“)
Jeff Samardzija - $4M?

We are looking at about 60 Million dollars in actual financial commitments at the MLB level. With very little help on the way in the upper minors. We are going to have to bring in some outside help unless we are planning on 2013 mirroring 2012. So this is the help I would like to see, along with estimates of what it will cost or take to aquire.

Anibal Sanchez 5/75

Edwin Jackson 5/60

Melky Cabrera (who just got a lot cheaper) 2/12

Chase Headley (for Vitters, McNutt, BJax and Dolis) 5/60 extension to buy out his last years of arbitration

Cody Ross on a 1 year 6 million deal.

That is 13 players under contract. 11 MLB guys and 2 MiLB guys. So you can fill in around them league minimum guys. 14 MLB guys at 500K adds 7 million to the payroll. And most MiLB guys are working on 500K/60K Majors/Minors split deals.

Total 2013 MLB payroll. 115.8 Million dollars.

Projected Roster and lineups after the jump.

1. CF- Melky/DDJ

2. SS- Castro

3. 3B- Headley

4. 1B- Rizzo

5. LF- Soriano/LaHair

6. RF- DDJ/LaHair

7. 2B- Barney

8. C- Castillo/Clevenger

Bench of

DDJ/LaHair

Castillo/Clevenger

Valbuna on a NRI

Maybe Ian Stewart on a non tender NRI?

Open slot for someone to win in ST. I'd propose that we bring in 15-20 Minor league free agents to compete for spots during ST next year.

Rotation:

Garza

Sanchez

Jackson

Samjay

TWood

Pen:

Marmol

Russell

Cabrera

Maine

And some NRI type guys who can compete for the final pen spots in ST.

While I will freely admit it isn't going to be a WS contender. It is a solid baseline roster that should should at minimum push .500. Borderline playoff contender.

Flame away.....