Cory Engelhardt

I don't know what the White Sox would want, but if they were to trade Sale, they would need at least someone like Urias back to start the conversation

Urias is only 20. He will be 21 in August of next year. He is still SO young, and pitching is not easy. He may very likely be on an innings limit again next year, but that is not a given. He also likely will show ace-like qualities all of next year, and hopefully won't be held back. The Dodgers only have so many years left to try and win a world series with Clayton Kershaw. They could wait and have Urias develop into an ace (which most people think he will become) or they could use him to acquire a current day ace. Kershaw is the known quantity, Urias is the unknown, even though he has absolutely shown ace-like ability. And no, Dozier's value + another prospect or 4's value from the Twins is not going to be equal to Urias's or Sale's value.

Because Sale is, right now, arguably one of the best 10 pitchers in baseball. Urias may very well get to that tier at some point, but if the Dodgers want to win now, they are making moves for Dozier and Sale etc. Dozier does not have the value of Sale. Why is this even up for debate? Urias is the consensus top prospect in baseball, no?

I went with the Dodger's offer that I threw out because 1) De Leon is potentially a #2, maybe as early as 2017 but more likely 2018 ongoing, and 2) I view Yadier Alvarez as a potential #1 with his 70 grade fastball and 55 grade slider. I'm fine waiting until 2019 for Alvarez, but he is absolutely the guy I target from the Dodgers, even more so than De Leon, for his potential. I don't know that the Mets or Pirates have anyone that has as HIGH of potential as Yadier Alvarez. I admit, I may be too bullish on him, but I see him as being a potential top of the rotation starter, and that's why I make that deal. Also, Yusniel Diaz, the outfielder I put in the deal, probably could start at some point in 2018. He would absolutely help our minor league rankings, and be a solid prospect to build around and come up at some point in the next 2-3 years.

I could see Urias being moved in a deal for Chris Sale. Dozier and the Twins top 3 prospects isn't enough for Urias. To that end, if the Twins move on to other teams, and then circle back to the Dodgers, I still think the Dodgers have a need at 2nd base and the prospect power to give the best package to the Twins in a trade. I just don't see any way the Twins acquire Urias with a deal centered around Dozier.

I'm not tossing him aside. I'm looking at him as an asset to use to acquire another asset. He will be 23 in less than 2 months, and he doesn't have really any overpowering or above average offerings. I do think he could have a chance to make the majors as a #4 or #5 starter, or at least middle reliever, (especially with his control and his ability to limit walks, which is impressive) but I don't think you will find anyone that projects him as a middle or top of the rotation starter in the major leagues. Still, he has value. No doubt.

I LOVE the Wieters idea, except I don't know how good he is at blocking pitches or pitch framing. Where can I find that data? And Gomez, if he can be had for 1 year (or 1 year with a mutual option) I'd be for that too. If it is 3 years, I'd look elsewhere more than likely. Taillon would be fun, wouldn't he? Thanks for doing yours!

I was leaning this too. My trade for Ervin, if it wasn't for Walker, would have probably been to the Rangers. There are some prospects I like in their system that are close to MLB ready (I'm thinking Brett Martin, Michael Matuella etc.) so if I was leaning that direction, that is where I would go.

I see absolutely no way the Dodgers trade Urias. Not for Dozier as the headline anyway.

Berrios I put in the bullpen as this was my roster day 1. I think Berrios makes 20-30 starts next year, but it is good to have 6-7-8 starters ready to go. I don't think Santiago, for 1, pitches for the Twins all year in 2017. Gibson maybe also. And really, if Berrios outpitches Santiago and is more ready to go day 1, then he is in the rotation day 1.

I'm up for Gibson and Santiago having their spots changed too. I think Gibson, having one more crack with a training staff led by Falvey et al could be worthwhile as a back end guy, especially since he should make less than 3 million. But if a better option comes around with more upside, so be it. Vielma, if you can say for certain he is ready to give professional at bats at the MLB level, then I don't do the trade. I know for certain Cozart (when healthy) provides gold glove level defense at short. I want that on my roster, especially to help the runs allowed.

I look at it more as, Ervin Santana TODAY is absolutely a more established starting pitcher than Taijuan Walker is TODAY. The hope is that Taijuan becomes an ace, but if Seattle wants to win NOW, of even possibly have a better chance in 2017, they could use an upgrade in their rotation. And maybe Mejia, as the 2nd piece, would have to be upgraded. I don't know. I went for Walker because Brandon Warne found that on Derek Falvey's youtube channel, he had a bunch of scouting videos of players (mostly Cleveland Indians) but one of those players was Taijuan Walker. If Falvey likes Walker, but hasn't been able to make the pieces work with what he had in Cleveland (for whatever reason) maybe he is a guy that the Twins are able to look at now. And I am totally ok trading other prospects than the ones I mentioned. I do think Romero/Jay/Stewart all have higher end potential than either Gonsalves or Mejia (in terms of, I see both of them topping out as #4's.) But, I would be up for trading other prospects. I don't know that I would trade Gordon or Kiriloff, but everyone else in the system can be up for grabs.

I forgot about Duffey! He will be in the bullpen for sure, switching out with Boshers, probably

Mostly because I don't see Jorge ever making the majors (it is possible, I guess) and I want a steady defender at short who is ready to help the pitching staff right now. Plus, Cozart could be more than 1 year if the Twins choose.

Please rip away... 1) Trevor Plouffe, gone, DFA'd 2) Hector Santiago, 9 million 3) Eduardo Escobar, 3.5 million 4) Kyle Gibson, 2.5 million 5) Brandon Kintzler, 2.5 million 6) Ryan Pressly, 1.5 million 19 million Trades 1) Brian Dozier and Stephen Gonsalves to the Dodgers for Jose De Leon, Yadier Alvarez and Yusniel Diaz. #32, 91 and 93 in MLB pipeline's top 100 currently. 2) Trade Ervin Santana and Adalberto Mejia to the Mariners for Taijuan Walker Years of control are about the same (if Santana hits his inning mark this year, his option years kick in) and Walker is about 9 years younger. Walker is still searching to hit his potential, while Santana is more of a sure thing, and Seattle wants to make the playoffs asap. 3) Trade Engelb Vielma and Felix Jorge to Cincinnati for Zack Cozart Amazing on defense at SS, he is signed through 2017, and if he is healthy and plays gold glove level ss, the Twins could theoretically slap the QO on him for 2018. Free Agents 1) Sign Jason Castro, 3 years 42 million, 14 million per 2) Sign Josh Reddick, 3 years 36 million, 12 million per 3) Sign Drew Storen, 2 years 15 million, 7.5 million per Two guys who play good defense and also take good at bats, or at least have really good walk rates. The Twins absolutely need more guys who don't strike out a ton, and these two would provide that, along with solid defense. Roster C Castro 14 million 1B Mauer 23 million (only starts against righties) 2B Polanco 500K SS Cozart 4 million 3B Sano 500k LF Kepler 500k CF Buxton 500k RF Reddick 12 million DH Park 3 million Bench Murphy 500k Vargas 500k (Vargas starts against lefties) Escobar 3.5 million (backup at 3B and SS) Rosario 500k (Rosario plays all outfield spots and only hits against righties) Total 63 million for the position players Rotation Gibson 2.5 million Trevor May 500k Taijuan Walker 750k Hector Santiago 9 million Jose De Leon 500k Bullpen JO Berrios 500k Drew Storen 7.5 million JT Chagrois 500k Taylor Rogers 500k Brandon Kintzler 2.5 million Ryan Pressly 1.5 million Buddy Boshers 500k Total 26.75 million for pitching staff, total of 89.75 million for team, give or take raises for the MLB minimum. This does not include Hughes and Perkins, who I don't have on here because I don't want to plan to count on them. The total will be over 100 million with their contracts being counted, obviously. What do you think?

If I had to make a list of absolutely untradeable players across baseball, Gary Sanchez would be on it. Unless the Yankees are talking to the angels about Mike Trout, I don't see them trading Sanchez

How about a Santana/Gonsalves deal? Or something similar? Or should I let that dream (of Walker on the Twins) die?

-I LOVE the Castro move, and I am really coming around to your idea on Gomez. He would help the younger outfielders, and he is a solid to above average player still at this point. -I can almost see your argument with Plouffe sticking around. I don't love it, but if he is healthy he certainly could be traded for a player with a pulse in June, rather than simply cut this offseason. -I love that you don't have Danny Santana on your bench. -I don't like that Dozier isn't traded. I think this is absolutely the height of his value, and I see it as being careless if the Twins don't trade him. I'd even be fine if they traded him for 3 prospects, none of whom would make the majors in 2017. He isn't going to be more valuable the further along his contract goes. -I'd also look into trading Ervin. May as well capitalize in his value too. Hard to really know with certainty that he will be as good as he was this year. Getting older is tough on pitchers. -If Escobar is healthy and can play a competent shortstop, I'd be ok with this. That said, if he isn't healthy, I'd look for a good defensive upgrade if possible. A while back you said that Derek Falvey's youtube channel had video of Taijuan Walker (among others.) What would it take to acquire someone like him?

Last night in Ruiz's third start, he got the win. 5 innings, 7 hits 3 runs (all earned) 3 walks, 2 k's and he gave up a homerun to Aneury Tavarez, a prospect in Boston's system. Not his best start by any means. So far on the year, Ruiz is 2-1 with a 3.77 era. in 14 1/3 innings, he has given up 14 hits, 6 runs (all earned) 11 k's and 5 walks. He also hasn't really competitively pitched since 2014, so there's that.

If nothing else, who should the twins acquire at catcher? I view a free agent as only needing money to acquire, where a trade you would have to give up a prospect. I would be ok with that route too, depending on the player. The position needs to be addressed.

None of the guys I am listing would be for super long deals. The twins absolutely need a catcher (Castro) Reddick might be 2-3 years, and the bullpen guys would be at most 2 years and could be flipped. How in the world would this in anyway stop a rebuild?

#14 Josh Reddick, 23 Norge Ruiz, 31 Greg Holland, 36 Jason Castro and 45 Brett Cecil, please. That sounds like a powerball ticket, but that would be an on base machine in the outfield, a potential good starter at some point, two potential strong bullpen options and a great defensive/framing catcher.

Or if you want a catcher who is top 5 in all of baseball in pitch framing

Same here on the general manager challenge. I really liked some things about the blueprint in the handbook, and really didn't like others (WHY IN THE WORLD IS DANNY SANTANA STILL ON A MLB ROSTER?!?!?!?!?!) I don't think Castro signs for that amount, I almost think he could double that amount that is listed on the handbook. And if Josh Reddick is available for the amount listed (without a qualifying offer) I'd sign him. Fowler could be good too, but I almost think he is going to get a GREAT contract from someone else.