Report: The Blue Jays Payroll May Decrease in 2016
There are a lot of unknowns in Blue Jays Land right now; not much is really known of the intentions of Mark Shapiro and the Jays organization, the identity of the club’s next General Manager, and how much money the front office will have at their disposal.
After a playoff berth and a quite successful run through the playoffs, one can only assume the front office would only want to build upon the team and fortify the existing roster to ensure they make it even further in the playoffs.
It turns out that may not be the case … in fact, quite the opposite.
ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier today on Prime Time Sports, Bob McCown spoke about rumblings he’s heard about the Blue Jays’ spending being reeled in for next season.
“A bird told me that Rogers was planning on reducing the payroll for the Toronto Blue Jays this year … and reducing it quite dramatically.
Rather than report that, I contacted another bird; both of whom would be in a position to possibly know this, and he denied it. Said they’re still negotiation, discussing what the budget would be. He said it would be nonsense to suggest there would be a dramatic reduction in payroll.”
First off, let’s qualify this; Bob McCown is connected to quite a few of the top executives not only within the Blue Jays’ front office, but Rogers as well. However, information has leaked from Bob before and it’s been a little offbase.
No one is disputing whether he has the Rolodex to know this, but it’s just bizarre that he has two sources that are saying completely different things; one saying that payroll is going down and one denying it completely.
My gut tells me that if anything, the Blue Jays payroll will remain status quo for 2016. With Mark Shapiro now at the helm, I can’t see the payroll ramping up significantly (even though after the success they had, logic dictates that’s what should happen).
Just by natural attrition, the Blue Jays payroll will likely go down on its own next year. With Mark Buehrle, Maicer Izturis, Ricky Romero and many others coming off the books, that frees up a lot of cash.
And even if Marco Estrada accepts the Blue Jays’ qualifying offer, that would put the Blue Jays 2016 payroll roughly around the $118 million mark (hat tip @Minor_Leaguer).
Blue Jays Plus figured out the Jays’ final 2015 payroll ended up being around $135 million, the club is already on pace to meet that number or come in slightly below it. Unless the Jays sign a few marquee free agents this offseason, their 2016 payroll will still be very close to the 2015 payroll anyway.
Image via Bernard Weil/Toronto Star
Here's the thing about Shapiro vs Beeston. Beeston argued for the highest payroll he could, understanding that while the Jays could never afford a payroll the size of the top 3 players, they could stil be- and in the AL East, need to be- top 10 to be consistently competitive. Shapiro won't do that. He isn't of that mindset. He's more comfortable operating with a much lower payroll. It's all he's ever known. Unlike Beeston, Shapiro will never champion Rogers for a competitive payroll and Rogers certainly won't just give it if there isn't a case for it. Mediocrity, here we come again.
Where are you getting the $126 mil number? That has long been reported as the beginning of the season projected payroll, when Alex left slack in the budget for deadline deals. The pro-rated salaries of Price, Lowe, Hawkins, and Revere have to be included, and offset with the 2015 savings of Tulo over Reyes. I haven't seen the final tally, but should've been in the $135-140M range, unless i'm missing something.
You are correct.
I was going off Cot's Baseball Contracts' number – Blue Jays Plus has the final 2015 payroll being about $135 million. Even if Estrada accepts that qualifying offer, payroll will probably be pretty close to or a little under that number next year.
I dislike his stupid face. I don't like this. I don't like it one bit.