Cory Engelhardt

Jeremy, none of us say it enough, but thank you for the work that you do on here. It is always good discussion, and reading about the potential players is exciting. I appreciate it.

Meyer was a really good prospect, and he still could be in line to become a good pitcher. He has never been in Glasnow's league, at least as a prospect.

Yeah I can't see the Twins cleaning house completely. If anything wouldn't they just want to be adding/doubling the amount of staff they have, and then let chips fall where they may? New GM, new Scouting Director, new director of minor league development, double the amount of scouts (for example) and then let the people in the current roles stay on if they choose with different titles. Then, over the next 2-3 years, work it all out at that point?

High 80's seems low for how hard I've read Wright throws. I don't have a good link in front of me, but he throws a fastball in the low to mid 90's, a heavy high 80's sinker, and a curve/slider in the low 80's. Keith Law has put him as his favorite for #1 (along with Faedo) and says the two of them project as top or the rotation arms. That said, I don't know if Law has seen Greene pitch yet. And we are still 9 months out, so a LOT could change.

I take Wright. The only reason I take Greene is if Falvey truly believes Greene can be molded into an ace. I don't care if we have to wait longer, but if Wright is a true 1/2, and Greene is a true 1 with a bullet, I could see going for the higher potential. But yeah, as of now I'd take Wright. Thanks for doing this! I appreciate it.

Agreed. I have hopes that either Turner or Garver or Murphy could be a solid catcher at the major league level. At least in a pairing, either 2 of these 3, or with another option brought in from the outside. There aren't generally Mauer's who are catching at 21, he was SO rare, that maybe we as Twins fans were naïve to think catchers develop like he does. I'm NOT advocating for a 5 year max deal for a free agent catcher. I don't think that player is out there, and I definitely don't think that is a good deal for this team. But, if the Twins can bring in a catcher from the outside for a year or two (or more via trade) to solidify the position defensively and help the pitching staff, that is a good thing, right? I mean, we can HOPE that one of these guys really works out, or we can get a known quantity at a time when the pitching staff needs the most help.

Your numbers seem high to me. Do you mean OPS?

I could completely see an Escobar/Engelb Vielma type at SS instead of an outside trade. If Vielma can play defense well enough, we may not need a trade regardless. Or, obviously, if Escobar is healthy enough. I do think they acquire a catcher though to be a starter. Rob Antony has said as much after the season is over, that the main priority (this was before Falvey was brought on) is to fix the catcher position going in to next year. I don't think that means they are completely going to hand it over to two players with zero experience. I just can't buy that. I also don't think that means they give big money to Wilson Ramos (with his injury history) or Matt Wieters, as he will also be expensive. To me, Jason Castro is the next biggest prize on the free agent market, mostly due to his framing ability. But if they were to bring in someone like Alex Avila, Drew Butera, Nick Hundley, Dioneer Navarro (he makes sense as a left handed hitter for a platoon with Murphy) I could see that too. If they are going to trade prospects for a catcher, I could see looking to the Dodgers for Austin Barnes, the Padres for Austin Hedges or even a buy low like Derek Norris, the Cardinals for Carson Kelly, or a bunch of others. I don't know what they think of giving up prospects for someone, but this could be another angle to go. What do people want to see done with the catcher position? We aren't getting Buster Posey, but I do think if the Twins can find someone who can frame at major league average (which is a HUGE jump from what they've had) control the running game, and help our pitching staff, they should do what it takes to help that position. Other thoughts on players they could look to acquire?

Didn't Jeremy Nygaard say that he has talked to scouts who still say Stewart is the best prospect in the rotation at AA (that included Gonsalves and Jay?) I know the stats/numbers don't back it up, but if he is still throwing mid 90's, that is still a solid prospect, no? Thanks for doing these lists! I really appreciate it.

You are right, we the fans don't know. I can look at stats and see that throughout his entire minor and major league career, Rogers has been death to lefties and awful against righties. That does not mean that he won't learn something new and become a good starting pitcher at some point. And I certainly know I will never be asked to make that decision. I do think it is interesting that you want to play the kids (Turner and Garver) over Murphy, who is younger than Turner and only 4 months younger than Garvey. Murphy has a much better track record than either of those two, and at least we know Murphy can play defense at least at backup level in MLB. Wanting a legit starter upgrade isn't crazy though, especially with a young pitching staff.

I get playing the kids. I do think they need a starting catcher, but I can agree with the rest of what you put. - That said, I will absolutely not understand AT ALL if the Twins don't trade Dozier this offseason. He is clearly at the peak of his value, and because they won't (and shouldn't) resign him to a longer deal, he isn't going to be with the team in 2 years. The longer he is with the team over the next 2 years, the less he will be worth in trade. I see almost no scenario where keeping him is valued higher than trading him, even if it is for lower level prospects. - And Taylor Rogers as a starter? He is Brian Duensing 2.0. The next right handed hitter he gets out will be his first. Keep him in the bullpen where he thrives. Gibson, Berrios, May, Santiago and Duffey would all work in your scenario over Rogers, but I think at least 1 starter is brought in from the outside, especially with a Brian Dozier trade. - Lastly, I do think the coaching staff will be completely new by 2018, or for certain 2019. But, just numbers wise, if they do go out and fire EVERYONE on the staff, who do they bring in for every position right away? It's not like current pitching coaches or hitting coaches on major league rosters leave their current jobs to make a lateral move. Some coaches will be back, not all, but throwing up your hands and firing everyone just to fire them doesn't make sense either.

Villar showed more power last year than he has EVER shown in the minors, and is pretty far below average defensively. I'm NOT saying he is Danny Santana 2.0, but I wouldn't overpay for him, especially if the Twins are trying to get better on defense.

Danny Santana will turn 26 in a month. I don't view him as a prospect, or even a talent. If you can get ANYTHING for him, you do it. Otherwise, I don't see him on the roster next year as he is out of options and simply isn't all that good. We can disagree on Cozart, that's cool. If Vielma is truly ready to come up, or if Escobar is fully healthy, then shortstop may be covered. I just don't value Palka or Walker the same, but that totally could be players I would regret trading later on. Thanks everyone! This thread is fun, and I love twinsdaily for so many reasons. Among others, having the ability to do this sort of thing.

As far as the Cozart trade; I'm not going into it thinking he will cost a TON to acquire. I'm not trading a top 8 prospect for him by any means. I do think he would help a ton in the runs allowed department for 2017. And if that means Adalberto Mejia or Adam Brett Walker or Daniel Palka (not and) or someone in the 9-15 range, I'd do it for one year. But if the Reds are needing a Stewart/Gonsalves/Gordon/Jay/Kiriloff or anyone under 24 on the current mlb roster, I pass and move on.

I don't know how much, or how little, blame Molitor should have for how a pitcher develops. How much work specifically does Molitor do with any/all pitchers? I always assumed it was Neil Allen and Eddie Guardado in the majors, and their minor league coaches/development staff in the minors. If Molitor has more influence currently over how a pitcher is developed over time, I'd like to learn more about that. Does anyone know, what is the development process currently like? I know it is going to be changing with new leadership, and I'm excited for those possibilities.

Agreed, Grossman is bad in the OF. I wouldn't want him out there for more than an inning either. But his bat, and on base ability, is certainly useful. I'd DH him against lefties, and I'd certainly keep his bench spot for him over someone like Danny Santana, who I don't understand in what capacity he actually helps a major league roster.

I think the hope would be that their minor league prospects can develop and be more prepared going forward. On top of that, having a good defensive catcher, as well as an upgrade at SS and 2B (Polanco is probably a better defender up the middle than Brian Dozier is) will help the current staff a ton. That said, there is not much out there on the free agent market this offseason, as well as acquiring good starting pitching that is already major league quality is extremely difficult as every team wants/needs more pitching. I think 2017 we need to hope for some bounce back from Gibson (for sure) as well as May in the rotation, and then begin to develop good pitching over time. That said, if people know of quality starting pitching that can be acquired without mortgaging the lineup pieces we already are building around, I am all ears.

But, Molitor may only be here for 2017. The way pitchers are going to be coached and developed is going to change with new front office leadership. That is what Falvey will help with. And no, most pitching prospects don't work out. But just because it wasn't working with the now old coaching doesn't mean it will continue to not work. Make sense?

I am by NO means giving up on 2017. I'm NOT saying they are going to throw in the towel. Not at all. Building a new pitching rotation will take time though, and it won't be ready overnight. And really, they could make no moves and probably win 70 games next year, just because some of what happened this year was bad luck. But to get back to even .500 will take some time, no doubt. - What I did with this was build a roster (theorhetically) that would be ready opening day. My plan would be that throughout 2017, Tyler Jay, Stephen Gonsalves, Kohl Stewart, a pitcher they get from a Dozier trade, other prospects that step up etc. all can start getting their feet wet. If a rookie pitcher takes off (which can happen) great, but I'm thinking that the young arms coming up through the system will be more ready to really be rotation stalwarts come 2018 and beyond. At least that is my hope. I'm not banking on the Santiago's and Santana's and Gibson's to be on the team and leading the rotation in 2018 and beyond. That's why I was saying, let Falvey do his thing and start to mold the pitching staff so 2018 and beyond it can start to be a strength.

1) Santiago is what he is; a solid 4/5. I do not think they non-tender him. If he is the 6th best pitcher (which could happen, if the Twins are lucky with health, which they almost never are) they certainly could get something for him. Most teams want any level of reliability with pitching. I agree. 2) And yes, I will say, if Escobar comes back healthy and is playing defense like he was in 2015, then SS isn't a need. He just was not playing like that this year, which is why I was thinking we need to look elsewhere. I don't know if Polanco is a SS in the big leagues, but if they don't trade Dozier, and keep Polanco at SS (which could happen) I don't see how runs allowed changes all that much. 3) Mauer isn't going anywhere. I just don't know that the Twins can depend on him to be a full time 1B any longer. If they can play him at 1st maybe once or twice per week, and otherwise be a bench bat and DH against righties, I think that is the best way to keep him healthy and keep his bat in the lineup a majority of the time. Even if he doesn't have power like he did pre-injuries, he still takes good at bats and gets on base. That is definitely something our lineup could use more of. 4) I don't think Castro is an all star. Heck, I don't know if he is more than a 9 hitter at this point. He is a very good pitch framer, which is something that Suzuki is terrible at. I'd be all about signing someone else, or using prospects to trade for a AA/AAA catcher who is ready to start (Austin Barnes of the Dodgers comes to mind.) They definitely need an upgrade there. 5) Thoughts on Brett Cecil? Do people see a likelihood of a "splash" (for lack of a better word) on a bullpen guy? That isn't really something Ryan and company would do, but maybe that could change?

No, obviously Buxton isn't a finished product. But he is only 22 and is already gold glove level on defense, -'d is faster than anyone in the game. Who would they acquire that you would feel good about playing over their probable most valuable (in terms of fwar) player next year (after a Dozier trade?)

Also, you just said that you saw into the future and the Twins aren't winning in 2017, so they should trade Santana, yet now you advocate for signing a 30+ year old catcher or outfielder to a big contract? Those two ideas don't mix too well. You are right; if I were gm I would not sign someone to a deal that forfeits our pick this year. More I was supporting that's person's thought.

I'd be all about really giving a good deal to someone and forfeiting the 2nd round pick if it meant bringing in someone special to help. Ramos and Wieters may fit that bill. Desmond has truly been amazing this year, but I wonder what his contract would look like? I like the thinking. I wonder if the front office will make a big 4-5 year offer to anyone right away? They definitely need help at catcher and pitcher, but SS could always use an upgrade, as does outfield. Thanks!

1) Escobar, if he is fully healthy, is totally capable of handling SS. He is not anywhere near the same level defensively as Zack Cozart. I don't know if either are healthy. I'd prefer to have Escobar as the utility guy, but to each their own. 2) Molitor has said it himself, Mauer is probably not a full time player any longer. He can still get on base, but concussions and leg injuries have taken a toll on him. Certainly he can still play 1st base, obviously, but if playing 5-6 days a week in the field hurts his legs, I'd try to keep him as healthy as possible because his bat is still useful. 3) Robbie Grossman, the 280/386/443 Grossman? As a bench bat and occasional fill in DH/OF? Why in the world would you ever get rid of that production? Especially if he bats against mostly lefties or pinch hits? To get rid of him would be ridiculous. 4) Why in the world would you keep Ervin? To win in 2017? The Twins aren't getting to the playoffs in 2017, and when his contract is up after 2018, are you wanting to extend a 36 year old? This one baffles me. 5) Chagois is pitching like one of your best relievers, if not your best reliever, right now. He throws hard, throws strikes, and has at least 2 pitches. You could do a lot worse. Maybe he isn't the closer job, but to ask if he is ready for a bullpen job, when the 9th inning isn't any more stressful than high leverage situations in the 7th (that he can handle) I don't get that thinking. 6) Fragile? I don't get that thinking either. He has pitched more than just about any reliever in baseball, as far as appearances, the last 2 years. If anything he was mismanaged. I'd certainly see what he has as a starter, and his back will probably thank him for throwing every 5 days rather than every day or every other.

What has Byron done to have you not be sold on him?