Go cubs go’s 2023 Payroll Blueprint:

[Go cubs go]

I'm assuming there is a better chance of getting value by keeping Bellinger than by eating enough money to make him tradeable (hope his 2025 season is prosperous enough that he opts out or is tradeable next offseason).  Would sign Amed Rosario as a veteran backup infielder with playoff experience.  Would bring Christian Bethancourt back on a split deal to compete with Theiss for the backup catcher position with the loser getting stashed in AAA as depth.

Would be thrilled if the cubs were able to sign Rori Sasaki (if not, will need to pivot to obtain a top 3 starting pitcher or feel really confident that Ben Brown will be healthy enough to contribute 120 innings) and also sign Shane Bieber (essentially a trade deadline acquisition prior to the season, but would be willing to give him a longer contract as well), moving Javier Assad to the swing role later in the year.  Would like to see additional bullpen depth added as well (Hodge and Little still have options so they could begin the year in AAA).

I mostly like where the cubs current 40 man roster plus the (6) top 100 prospects not yet on the 40 man is at.  With the additional starting pitching described above, I would expect to win 90 games and the division title.

• C: Miguel Amaya ($0.80M)
• 1B: Michael Busch ($0.80M)
• 2B: Nico Hoerner ($11.50M)
• 3B: Isaac Paredes ($6.90M)
• SS: Dansby Swanson ($28.00M)
• LF: Ian Happ ($21.00M)
• CF: Pete Crow-Armstrong ($0.80M)
• RF: Cody Bellinger ($19.00M)
• DH: Seiya Suzuki ($27.50M)
• 4th OF: Alexander Canario ($0.80M)
• Utility: Luiz Vazquez ($0.80M)
• Utility: Amed Rosario ($2.00M)
• Backup C: Christian Bethancourt ($1.50M)
• NA: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)
• SP1: Shota Imanaga ($13.50M)
• SP2: Justin Steele ($6.40M)
• SP3: Jameson Taillon ($18.00M)
• SP4: Rori Sasaki ($2.00M)
• SP5: Shane Bieber ($12.00M)
• RP: Nate Pearson ($1.40M)
• RP: Julian Merryweather ($1.30M)
• RP: Tyson Miller ($0.80M)
• RP: Porter Hodge ($0.80M)
• RP: Keegan Thompson ($1.00M)
• RP: Javier Assad ($0.80M)
• RP: Eli Morgan ($1.00M)
• RP: Luke Little ($0.80M)
• NA: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M)

Payroll is 17.64% under budget