The Athletic | Chris Kirschner ($): Kirschner takes a look ahead at the 2026 projected payroll taking into account money coming off of the books and looming arbitration and option decisions. He calculates that $69.5 million is coming off the books including Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Hicks (!), Devin Williams, Trent Grisham, and others. They currently have a $168.25 million luxury tax number in 2026 for guaranteed contracts held by Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Rodón, and Ryan McMahon. They owe $15 million in dead money to DJ LeMahieu after he was released last year, but that is the lone year remaining on his deal. They can save money elsewhere by non-tendering arbitration-eligible players, the bullpen quartet of Mark Leiter Jr., Jake Cousins,

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