This is going to be fun.
Here’s how this works:
I will build a 26-man roster without adding players via trades, free agent signings, or draft selections and without assuming contract extensions of current players. As of February 18, 2025, the only players available to me are those under club control through the 2028 season.
That’s it. This is not fantasy baseball. This is not a video game. The purpose is to project a snapshot and display the long-term standing of the club from a player and talent standpoint.
The lone contract decision I will make is with options and that will be based on what I believe the decision would be today. In addition, I will not assume six-year minor-league free-agent departures, since that won’t impact anything but the bench choices.
And away we go.