If not for a Pete Fairbanks blown save in Game 7 that could have been us sweeping the Dodgers in the World Series and getting revenge for 2020. Alas it wasn't so we'll have to pick ourselves off the floor and try again in 2024. The good news is that the entire gang (save Ian Happ, who wasn't quite the post-deadline boost we hoped he'd be anyway) can come back and we can afford them all:
With the deep run in the playoffs and his desire to get a new stadium built owner Stu Sternberg has finally allowed a 9-digit payroll, in the neighborhood of $120M. Keeping everyone listed here plus all the minimum-salary guys adds up to a projected $112M, but I'm not sure we're going to keep
everybody. In fact our second-highest-paid guy, Manuel Margot, is going to be at best the short side of a RF platoon as things currently stand and hence will be overpaid at $10M. Andrew Kittredge and his $3.8M are iffy as well given that he missed the entire 2023 season with injury.
A position-by-position look:
C-Mejia and Bethancourt combined to drive in 100 runs last season so what was once considered a weakness is now a strength.
1B-Yandy Diaz keeps getting better and he broke out from his 2022 breakout season.
2B-Brandon Lowe started slow but eventually got the power numbers there even though the BA was around .230 in the end.
SS-Wander Franco needs no introduction.
3B-Isaac Paredes had a solid (2.4 WAR) season despite only hitting .217 with 21 HR, as he fielded the position well.
IF-Taylor Walls is the platonic ideal of an IF backup with a good glove, speed and some ability to get on base even if he isn't that much of a hitter.
LF-Randy Arozarena also needs no introduction.
CF-Jose Siri took the job by the throat last year and was pretty good and then followed it up with an incredible postseason. 75 D with a 10.1 ZR is something to really like.
RF-We dealt for Happ perceiving a need to upgrade here but Josh Lowe actually started becoming quite productive down the stretch when he got to play so the job is his for now, at least on the strong side of the platoon where could pair with Margot.
OF-Margot is the 4th OF when not platooning with J.Lowe. Luke Raley started 2023 with the club and could be back if I want some pop off the bench; otherwise rookie Mason Auer, an elite fielder with speed and a little pop, could be an option.
DH-Miguel Vargas can flat-out hit, and I look forward to a full season of him in Rays colors. He can also back up 1B/3B
Rotation-McClanahan/Eflin/Springs/Rasmussen/Pepiot all return. Taj Bradley, our top pitching prospect, had an OK season at Durham but gave up a whopping 39 homers in 197 IP. Long man Yonny Chirinos is available as depth, and Luis Patino is still there at Durham.
EDIT: Oh yeah, totally forgot about Shane Baz who missed the entire 2023 season. Right now based on his ratings he looks like a 4th/5th starter and we'll see what the scouts say when comes back in the spring; he could move Pepiot to long relief.
Bullpen-It also remains intact, although Fairbanks is not quite the lights-out close I hoped he'd be. If Kittredge is really healthy with his stuff intact he could help, but still not sure I wanna pay $3.6M to find out.
Prospects-There are several knocking on the door. Kyle Manzardo and Curtis Mead can both hit (Manzardo had 42 HR last year for Durham) but they're blocked by Yandy and Vargas at 1B/DH. As mentioned Bradley could help the rotation but needs to get the homers down and Michael Mercado took a step forward at Durham last year and has a big-league future.
So there's really not a lot to do - I doubt we find a taker for Margot at $10M and it's not worth it to eat much salary on him because I'd have no problem, say, paying him $5M to provide excellent defense and be a 4th OF. Still I'll see what becomes available either on the trade block or via free agency if there's an upgrade to be had.