Jan 25
We will update the 25-man roster projection tomorrow, but first, let’s take a look at the payroll projection…
With the addition of Carlos Pena, the 2012 payroll projects to be approximately $63.6 million, an increase of 54.7 percent over last season. This is based on raises already built into existing contracts, and projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players and players in their first three seasons.
Here is the breakdown of the projected payroll. Notes on the table, and additional thoughts can be found below…
Notes on the projected 40-man roster and payroll…
- As expected, Justin Ruggiano, who was out of minor league options, was removed from the 40-man roster when Carlos Pena was signed.
- Other key players
out of minor league options who will be fighting for roster spots include Elliot Johnson and Jose Lobaton. However, we project both of those players to make the opening day roster. Read the rest of this entry »
Jan 17
Last year, the Rays payroll went from $71.9 million in 2010 to $41.1 million this past season, a drop of more than 40 percent.
If the season started today, the 2012 payroll would be approximately $56.9 million, an increase of 38.4 percent over last season. This is based on raises already built into existing contracts, and projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players and players in their first three seasons.
Here is the breakdown of the projected payroll. Notes on the table, and additional thoughts can be found below…
Notes on the projected 40-man roster and payroll…
- The Rays currently have 40 players on the 40-man roster. However, Justin Ruggiano is out of minor league options and we don’t see spots for him on the opening day roster unless somebody gets hurt.
- Other key players Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 02
Last year we knew the Rays payroll was going to go down. And with the departure of several high-priced free agents, along with the trade of Matt Garza, the payroll went from $71.9 million in 2010 to $41.1 million this past season, a drop of more than 40 percent.
Stuart Sternberg has not made any public declarations about this year’s payroll, but his recent comments on attendance suggest that the team won’t be in a hurry to add too much money to the 2012 payroll. However, based on the Rays projected payroll for 2012, they may not have a choice.
If the season started today, the Tampa Bay Rays payroll would be approximately $52.1 million. That is an increase of 27 percent over the 2011 season. This is based on raises already built into existing contracts, and projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players and players in their first three seasons.
Here is the breakdown of the projected payroll. Notes on the table, and additional thoughts can be found below…
Notes on the projected 40-man roster and payroll…
Apr 01
Well, we knew the payroll was going to go down. And now that the opening day roster is set, we know just how far the payroll has fallen.
Last year, the Rays opened the season with a $71.9 million payroll. This year, with several high-priced defections, the opening day payroll will be $41.9 million. That is a drop of 41.7% from a year ago. Of course, that is close to the $43.8 million opening day payroll in 2008, the year the Rays went to the World Series.
[Update: Marc Topkin tracked down the actual salaries for the players making close to league minimum]
Read the rest of this entry »
Jan 27
With the recent additions of Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon and Kyle Farnsworth, here is an updated look at how the Rays 40-man roster and 2011 payroll would look if the season started today. We will have more on the opening day roster later today…
Notes on the 40-man projection…
- A legend for the table can be found below.
- Players in white would be on the 25-man roster. Players in grey would be on the 40-man roster but are projected to start the season in the minors.
- Justin Ruggiano, Elliot Johnson and Adam Russell will be out of minor league options.
- Stuart Sternberg said Read the rest of this entry »
Dec 22
[Update 2] With the signing of Kyle Farnsworth ($3.0M in 2011), the projected payroll is now $35.4 million.
[Update] With the trade of Matt Garza, the Rays now have a projected payroll of just $33.3 million. That is quite a step down from $71.9 million a year ago. Of course there is still time left to spend some of the money saved. We’ll see if Andrew Friedman and Co. do pick up a bat and maybe a reliever or two to shore of the roster.
We knew the Rays would be cutting payroll in 2011, and after seeing several members of the 2010 roster sign with new teams and Jason Bartlett traded to the
Padres, we now have a better idea of what the roster and payroll will look like next season. In fact, at this point, the Rays have already cut their payroll in half. Below is the 40-man roster and payroll projection based on players currently in the organization.
Notes on the roster can be found after the table…
Notes on the 40-man projection…
- A legend for the table can be found below.
- There are currently 36 players on the 40-man roster. Players in white would
Read the rest of this entry »
Oct 25
Last week we looked at the 2011 25-man roster, now let’s gander at the 2011 40-man roster and payroll projection. Notes on the projection can be found after the table…
Notes on the 40-man projection…
Aug 09
It was an off-day yesterday (for the hitters), so let’s take a moment and update the 2011 roster and payroll projection. Notes on the projection can be found after the table…
Notes on the 40-man projection…
May 04
It was an off-day yesterday, so let’s take a moment and take a very tentative look at the 2011 roster and payroll projection. Notes on the projection can be found after the table…
- A legend for the table can be found below after the jump.
- This projection is based only on players currently in the organization and assumes that no free agents will be re-signed. That list includes Carl Crawford, Rafael Soriano, Carlos Pena, Grant Balfour, Pat Burrell, Gabe Kapler, Joaquin Benoit and Randy Choate.
- Here is what the 25-man roster would look like based on this projection.
- Players in white would be on the 25-man roster. Players in grey would be on the 40-man roster but in the minors.
- Salaries for players eligible for arbitration are based on salaries for comparable players in recent years. Those numbers should be in the ballpark but could fluctuate up or down depending on how well those players perform in 2010.
- Justin Ruggiano and John Jaso will be out of minor league options.
- Dioner Navarro is the only player that would still be under team control that we project to be gone next season either by trade or by declining to offer arbitration.
- Stuart Sternberg said the 2011 payroll will be under $60 million. As we can see the Rays are only committed to $48 million. So there is still some flexibility to possibly re-sign a player like Carlos Pena.
- The Rays could save $2.5 million by declining the option on Dan Wheeler’s contract ($1M buyout) and replacing him with a league minimum player. They can also save a little if they buyout Willy Aybar’s option and take him to arbitration instead.
- Another candidate to be moved would be Jason Bartlett. Replacing him at shortstop with Reid Brignac would save the Rays $4-5 million and would open a starting job for either Sean Rodriguez or Matt Joyce.
- The big name left off the 25-man roster is Jeremy Hellickson. Somebody will need to be traded or moved to the bullpen if the Rays want Hellboy to start the season in the rotation.
- The last three names on the list (Aneury Rodriguez, Matt Sweeney, Alex Cobb) are projected to be additions to the 40-man roster to avoid the Rule 5 draft. Anybody you think we overlooked?
Read the rest of this entry »
Apr 03
Now that the opening day roster has been set, let’s take a look at the final 40-man roster and the opening day payroll…
A few notes on the 40-man roster…
- Once Elliot Johnson clears waivers the Rays will have 36 players on the 40-man roster. It is assumed that two of the empty spots will be taken by recent signees Leslie Anderson and Sergio Espinosa.
- The opening day payroll is $71.5 million, up from $63.3 million a year ago and double what the payroll was when Stuart Sternberg took over the Rays.
Read the rest of this entry »
We will update the 25-man roster projection tomorrow, but first, let’s take a look at the payroll projection…
