Fixing the 2011 Cubs

So the rumor is that the Cubs have 9 players under contract next year for a total of $102.275 million dollars. This year the team has a payroll of $146.6 million. I have read where the payroll next year will shrink to $120 million and I don't buy it. I can build you a ball club for $148 million right here. Salaries came from here.

All $ are in millions unless noted. First the 9 under contract. Hitters: Soriano $19, Ramirez $14.6(player option), Byrd $5.25, Fukudome $14.5  Pitchers: Zambrano $18.875, Dempster $14.5, Silva $7.25(owed 12.75 Mariners paid $5.5) Samardzija $3.5, Grabow $4.8

First thing I do is pay $8 of his salary and trade Fukudome. Down to 8 players and $95.775.Then I add Adam Dunn at $13 x 3yr to play 1b(he makes $12 this year) and Cliff Lee at $17 x 3 or 4 yr(he makes $9 this year) So now 10 players and $125.

Cubs have Randy Wells*, Blake DeWitt*, and Tyler Colvin* for a combined $1.238. These guys aren't even eligible for arbitration yet so 2011 shouldn't cost much more. Let's say they get $100k raises. Call it $1.6 I am guessing Starlin Castro* around the same salary lets say he is at $600k. That's 14 players at $127.2

Angel Guzman is at $825k he is in year 2 of arbitration but didn't pitch in '10, maybe he gets $1. Carlos Marmol and Geovany Soto are both arbitration eligible too. Marmol is at $2.125, lets say Hendry gets a deal done for $4 with Marmol and Soto ($575k) gets $3.  17 players $135.2, need 8 to fill out the roster.

Fontenot, Baker, Koyie Hill and Gorzelanny are under deals for '10 that pay a total of $3.25. I don't think Cubs keep all 4 so lets say Baker stays and the other 3 are given FA status instead of going to arbitration. Baker(975k) will get at most $1.5  18 players $136.7  Wellington Castillo(catcher) and Micah Hoffpauir both make the 2011 squad as reserves. Castillo for the same $400k that Colvin is getting and Hoffpauir for K.Hill's $700k. I am also bringing James Russell and Andrew Cashner back at $500k each. 22 players for $138.8

At this point I need 1 more RP, a reserve inf primarily at SS, Baker can play 2b and 3b. Hoffpauir can spell 1b, RF, LF for days off but I could use a reserve OF that could play CF. For my INF I'll take a Ramon Vazquez($2.125) type guy at $2.5 for my OF spot I'll take Willie Harris($1.5) for $2. I'm at 24 players for $143.3 and I need a RP.

The RP market for 2011 is healthy but for my available money I'll go Scott Downs and give him his 2010 salary of $4. That's it!  25 players $147.3 million and I have 6 arms capable of filling a SP spot in Zambrano, Dempster, Lee, Wells, Silva, and Samardzija. Potential 7th if, and that's a big if, Guzman is healthy enough. So I have room to deal if needed.

*not sure what these guys that aren't arbitration eligible are slated to make but I left a $700k cushion and as I said might have an arm that is expendable.