Cory Engelhardt

I like this concept no doubt. I think acquiring a 100+ million dollar starting pitcher may be difficult (with all of the other teams out there also needing pitching) but adding a solid reliever or two is smart. I wouldn't mind the Twins trying to go unconventional in their starting pitching acquisitions and find someone who isn't an ace yet, but can be. I don't know if that makes sense.

MLB Trade Rumors listed Juan Nicasio as going to the Twins. I think I like the guys you mentioned even a little more than Nicasio, but hopefully the Twins can be aggressive this offseason in adding to their MLB roster, as well as their front office.

I know he hasn't shown a penchant for strikeouts yet, but I would put Stewart in the must keep territory for one more offseason at the very least, just to be able to say for certain that Falvey et al can't get him turned around. I'd even do it over Jake Reed, as there are a number of minor league options for relievers, and with the Twins inability to develop starting pitching, I'd rather keep guys that have a potential to start over guys that don't.

I REALLY loved your blueprint Seth. This would be a really fun offseason if all of this could take place, especially your bullpen additions and the extensions for a lot of the younger core. LOVE IT!

I had my 21st episode last night. Nick Nelson (yes, that one!) was my guest. Nick is one of the owners/creators of Twins Daily, and it was really fun to chat with him. We talked about what got him into writing, why he loves the sport of baseball, and all the work it took to put the offseason handbook together (just want to say, everyone reading this specific post should absolutely purchase the handbook!) We also talked about a few articles he has written lately, and then dove into a few questions about specific players the offseason handbook has the Twins acquiring. Please give it a listen! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballisgood/2017/11/03/episode-21-nick-nelson-twins-daily Twitter @nicknelsonmn

Hopefully May can be healthy and hold down a starting rotation spot. Frankly, even when all pitchers are healthy most teams use 8 starters in a year anyway. May will have a chance to start, and if he is healthy he will take it.

It's Lewis to me, and that's with a bullet. 1) Lewis 2) Gordon 3) Romero 4) Gonsalves 5) The field

I really like this thought. The Twins absolutely need pitching help and would be smart to look into the market to see what would be available if they were open to trading one of their younger position players. If they are deciding to extend (or at least play out 2018 and possibly offer the QO) to Brian Dozier, then looking to move Polanco makes a lot of sense, depending on the return.

I had my 20th podcast last night. Myjah from Twinkietown was my guest. She was really awesome to talk with. We spoke some about the Twins, but a LOT about her love of baseball and what that entails. We also discussed her work with twinkietown and what she tries to accomplish with connecting to fans through social media and running that website. Please give it a listen. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballisgood/2017/10/27/episode-20-myjah-of-twinkietown @kirbyslefteye @TwinkieTown

What do you think about Zack Granite? Is he a given to stay on the 25 man next year? I just, if I were in charge, it's tough to write his name in pen when he doesn't have a logical platoon partner and isn't a better defender than arguably any of the current outfielders provided they stay healthy.

Hiring a new/young voice to help coach the pitching in a way that Falvey wants them to be coached. Also, he understands data and how to communicate it in a manner that the players will easily understand. Seems like a good fit in many ways. Hopefully it works out and our pitching improves with his tutelage.

I at least want to have the conversation and see how much gutting needs to take place. If you are comfortable with the potential return, then go for it. For Lamet specifically, what would you deem a reasonable offer? Gonsalves/Gordon/Kiriloff?

I love the Lamet idea! That would be expensive but he could be amazing. How much would a Lamet/Brad Hand package cost? Probably doesn’t hurt that Lavine and Preller know each other well.

I LOVE the idea of Kris Davis. And I agree that I don't think Oakland wants to start paying him big bucks through arbitration. May at least ask what it would take to make a deal happen. And, hopefully, Miguel Sano is back and healthy and playing a league average 3rd base for years.

Just curious; is walk rate that pitchers can get better at? If the Twins were to sign someone like Chatwood (his numbers outside of Coors, other than walks, do look promising, and I fully believe the Twins outfield defense would help his overall numbers) is there any real hope that his walk rate would decline as well? That many walks, to me, screams a lot of 5 inning starts.

I did my 19th episode last night of Baseball is Good. Twinsdaily contributor Ted Schwerzler was my guest. We talked a LOT of Twins offseason potential additions, and a little bit about Ted's background in baseball prior to writing. Please give it a listen! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballisgood/2017/10/20/episode-19-offthebaggycom-ted-schwerzler Twitter @tlschwerz http://offthebaggy.blogspot.com/

I had my 18th episode just now today. Jon Tarr aka Bob Sacamento was my guest. He is a chiropractor out of Naples, Florida, and is a frequent contributor to twins daily with his videos on twins prospects, of which we talked at length. It was a really fun chat. Please give it a listen! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballisgood/2017/10/14/episode-18-bob-sacamento Twitter @TTurbo420 YouTube Jon Tarr

Couldn't one of them slide over to 3rd if Dozier is resigned too?

I think you do have to consider the idea of an extension. Dozier has been really amazing, and the part of baseball when it comes to salary is you ALWAYS pay for the production that has already happened, rather than the potential production ahead, at least with 2nd contracts (in my opinion.) Dozier still has at least a few good years ahead of him. I believe that more after this year than I did even after the 42 homerun season a year ago, mostly because he started to show power to all fields rather than just as a pull hitter. I also like how you pointed out that Dozier didn't get great offers for trade after this past offseason. I do believe that if 2-3 teams had been in the market for a 2nd baseman a trade would have been made. But if the Dodgers were the only team talking trade last offseason, the deal/offer that was necessary to move Dozier never was put on the table. And a good-enough offer with only 1 year left for Dozier isn't going to be there this offseason. If you are trading him now, you are basically selling him for less than his value to the Twins for 2018. And Gordon certainly isn't ready to start the year with the MLB club is he? I would rip up his 2018 contract and offer a 3 year extension with an option spanning the years of 2018, 2019, 2020 and the option year of 2021 that would trigger with games played. I would offer him a higher salary (18, 18, 17 and an option year for 15 million) and hope that he takes it. If he does, GREAT! If his agent comes back and demands 4 years with an option (so, 6 more years potentially) I would have a hard time agreeing to that, but the salary would be lower per year more than likely, (say 14, 15, 15, 14 and option year or 13) and the option year would probably not have a huge buyout number. That said, if the agent comes out and demands a 5 year deal for 18-20 per season, (which he has earned if you are paying for past production) I probably do go into 2018 being the last year of his deal and plan to offer him the QO after this upcoming season. Then he has another year if he agrees to the QO, or the Twins get a draft pick for him. We'll see. Thanks for the write-up Seth. Much appreciated!

Can't argue with the best pitcher of the year in 2017. That said, I had high hopes coming into this year for Trevor May, as well as Gibson, to be able to help in the rotation. Gibson was really good (better than Santana to some extent) for the August and September push. Hopefully the rotation as a whole is better 2018 ongoing.

Buxton I would absolutely. I would bring it up with Kepler as well. Rosario is a probable, but it would depend on the years and dollars. Sano, I think, I would put him in the absolutely yes crowd if I see how he looks in spring training after he has (or has not) had the surgery. Berrios too, maybe right?

I wouldn't mind the thought of Matt Moore if they are truly looking for depth/potential turnaround. I don't know if the Giants will let him opt out, but he has a lot of things going for him (I believe) that show he could be better with the Twins outfield defense than he was with the Giants. 1) He will turn 29 in June of 2018, so he still has youth on his side. 2) His average fastball velocity is still about the same as it has been since 2012, but it was harder prior to that. 3) He is left handed, which doesn't hurt. 4) He has had success in the majors before. 5) His K rate, even last year, was 7.64 per 9, which isn't terrible but it is roughly the same as Cobb's was and is more than Santana averaged (7.11) 6) His walk rate was high, which I think is his biggest issue. 7) His BABIP was .320, which is higher than league average, so it's possible he is due for some regression. Santana's was .245, which was WAY below league average. Average is what, .285 or so? 8) His FIP (4.75) was not THAT much higher than Santana's (4.46) last year. Again, I don't think he will be great. He may not even be good. But he is someone that has had success, is still under 30, still throws hard and is left handed. If he were to be available, I'd be fine giving him a shot to be a 4/5 and possibly have the potential to pitch like a 3. He may even like the idea of playing for an ELITE outfield defense, especially when he is a flyball pitcher. That said, Cobb or Chatwood would be fun as well, for different reasons. And I'd also love it if the Twins explored the trade route for starters.

I had my 17th episode last night. Jamie Cameron was my guest. Jamie and I have met through twitter as being fans of the Twins, and it was fun to catch up and chat on the show. We talked about his childhood growing up in London, how he came to appreciate and love baseball and Minnesota sports in general, and what he thinks the Twins should do this offseason. Please give it a listen! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballisgood/2017/10/06/episode-17-jd-Cameron Twitter @J_D_Cameron

Seth, you mentioned that the Twins bunted as much or more than any team in baseball. Is there a source somewhere to show how much the Twins did bunt as a team, either sacrifice or otherwise, to compare to the rest of baseball? I'm curious if it really did happen more than other teams do. I'd almost have to imagine national league teams bunt more often with the pitcher hitting, but I don't know how to find that data. Thanks!

Moya, he is your 2nd lefty. And this is a great writeup once again. Thanks!