RCT’s 2026 Payroll Blueprint: Ward / Castro

[RCT]

• C: Carter Jensen ($0.80M)
• 1B: Vinnie Pasquantino ($5.40M)
• 2B: Willi Castro ($7.00M)
• 3B: Maikel Garcia ($4.80M)
• SS: Bobby Witt Jr. ($13.70M)
• LF: Taylor Ward ($13.70M)
• CF: Kyle Isbel ($2.70M)
• RF: Jac Caglianone ($0.80M)
• DH: Salvy ($12.50M)
• 4th OF: Lane Thomas ($2.50M)
• Utility: Michael Massey ($2.00M)
• Utility: Tyler Tolbert ($0.80M)
• Backup C: Adam Frazier ($2.50M)
• SP1: Cole Ragans ($4.60M)
• SP2: Michael Wacha ($18.00M)
• SP3: Ryan Bergert ($1.00M)
• SP4: Seth Lugo ($23.00M)
• SP5: Noah Cameron ($0.80M)
• RP: Carlos Estevez ($10.10M)
• RP: Lucas Erceg ($0.80M)
• RP: John Schreiber ($3.80M)
• RP: Taylor Clarke ($1.90M)
• RP: Angel Zerpa ($1.20M)
• RP: Daniel Lynch IV ($1.30M)
• RP: Luinder Avila ($0.80M)
• RP/SP: Stephen Kolek ($1.00M)

Payroll is 1.79% under budget

[RCT]

Traded Bubic for Ward.  Not sure who would have to throw in but that should be a doable trade.  Castro can play all over and is a switch hitter which allows Q to use him to platoon all over and cover injury.  This also allows Massey a chance to continue to play 2b while Castro moves around. 

[RCT]

Garcia (R)

BWJ (R)

Vinnie (L)

Ward (R)

Jensen (L)

Salvy (R)

Jac (L)

Castro (S)

Isabel (L) / Thomas (R)