They've never come out and stated a hard figure but this year's payroll was just under $174million.What's the Blue Jays team budget?
They did have to add additonal salary due to all the injuries. I believe the opening day payroll was about $165million.
The Jays were among the league leaders in attendance this year, with TV ratings still strong.
So there's no reason the budget should be any less next year.
These are the guranteed contracts for 2018:
Russell Martin $20m
Troy Tulowitzki $20m
Marco Estrada $13m
J.A. Happ $13m
Kendrys Morales $11m
Steve Pearce $6.25m
Justin Smoak $4.125m
Donaldson* $22m
Approx. $109million
*Donaldson will get approx. $22million in his final year of arbitration
All the other arb-eligible players and rookie deals will amount to about $20-$30million for 2018 depending on how things play out.
They could give Stroman a backloaded long term deal with a low salary for 2018
They could possibly non-tender players like Carrera, Loup and Koehler who are set for big raises due to service time. Those 3 could earn a combined $10million in arbitration
With Alford, Dwight Smith Jr and Teoscar Hernandez all pretty much ready for prime time, do you really need a Carrera making $2.5-$3million on the roster?
Also, with Mayza and Dermody coming up Loup may be too expensive for a situational lefty reliever. His projected $3million could be used to acquire a veteran FA reliever with a better track record.
Koeohler looks like a keeper though. Can start, pitch long relief, and has a power arm that can be valuable in a middle relief role.
The Jays likely have about $30-$35million to spend this offseason.