Cory Engelhardt

So, maybe try for a Chris Archer instead?

I think what needs to be added to this discussion is the obvious upgrade that needs to happen at catcher and at shortstop,at the very least. On top of that, this team may look VERY different in the field behind whatever they do with the pitching staff. If for example, we know that the Twins acquire (hypothetically) Zack Cozart to play SS and an above average defensive catcher to start 120 games, then I will feel better about the team/pitching staff as a whole. But, I do think there will be at least 2-3 new names not listed above who will be solidly in the mix before opening day. 1 free agent (Brett Anderson) and one starter acquired via trade (Dozier?) along with maybe Ervin (unless they trade him) et al.

Wouldn't most pitching prospects be high risk/high reward? If not these guys, what type of pitcher should be targeted?

Maeda would be a great upgrade. After that, I would think a new regime would want to go younger, no? Would the Dodgers even consider Maeda? Don't they have trouble (like everyone) holding onto quality starting pitching?

GLASNOW!!!!! Done and done.

I could see that. But why wouldn't the Twins ask for a James Kaprielian from the Yankees? I like what I see from the other players though. Thanks!

So the Twins are trading Brian Dozier. Everyone knows it. What do you see as a deal that could happen? Here is my thought on a potential deal. Please rip it to shreds all you want. Dozier to the Dodgers for 4 players... 1) Jose De Leon, MLB #33 prospect, Dodgers #2 prospect. Would be in our rotation day 1 next year. 2) Austin Barnes, MLB's #8 catcher prospect, 26 in December. Would be one of our major league catchers on opening day, hopefully along with a solid defensive first free agent or other acquisition. 3) Yusniel Diaz, MLB's #98 prospect and the Dodger's #6 prospect. Will turn 20 in October. Had a good year at High A last year, and would more than likely begin the year in AA. Above average speed, arm and defense and should be able to hit as well, although not for much power. 4) Player to be named, which at some point turns in to Gavin Lux. He was the Dodgers 1st round pick last year, and he is from Kenosha, WI. Should be able to stay at short. What do you think? Is this too much? Not enough? Is it a deal you would be ok with trading Dozier?

Love the list. Two questions about your ETA's:1) Why so long for Nick Gordon? 2) I don't think your Gonsalves ETA is possible any longer. Thanks!

If you have 7 starters that could be in the majors, but you are LAST in ERA and K's for what feels like a lifetime (at least 6 years) do you really have any starters that should be on a major league staff? Isn't it imperative they try and acquire 1-2 starters (at minimum) who are above average major league starters? Then, if the rookies from AA come up and can help right away, great! Otherwise the Twins don't HAVE to depend on unproven players once again.

Maybe as a player/coach? Would he be up for part time batting coach? If he produces, then all the better. If he simply can't play anymore, then let him go. But really, if he produces, are we as a fanbase going to be mad that someone who will never approach the career he had (Walker/Palka/Park) isn't getting his at bats? If he is DH mostly, and hits close to 2015, that is a plus for the team. If he gets here and hits like Torii Hunter post May 2015, then he will simply be more of a coach than a player. But you are right, if he still wants to play I bet it is in Miami.

I completely forgot about Pressly for some reason. Switch him out for Hildenberger for me at the start of the year.

I have a couple of trades I would make. This is more of a dream scenario for me, but it isn't completely improbable. I also am going with the assumption that Plouffe and Suzuki were traded this August or early in the offseason. What comes back in those trades are hopefully decent prospects, but I can't imagine they would get someone who would be on the opening day roster. 1st trade; Brian Dozier, Stephen Gonsalves and Kohl Stewart to the Angels for SP Matt Shoemaker Solid starting pitcher who could be top end for our rotation, controllable for 3-4 more years. Gave up some good prospects in return to help replenish their system and Trout could use all the help he can get. 2nd trade; Eddie Rosario and Tyler Duffey to the Mariners for catcher Mike Zunino. Good young catcher who is finally showing he can hit. I don't know if the Mariners would give him up. Otherwise I think they could attempt to acquire someone like Cameron Rupp of the Phillies or Austin Hedges/Derek Norris of the Padres, but I'd try to lean on the younger side. Hopefully whoever they acquire can pair well with Garver/Murphy. Biggest free agents RF Josh Reddick, he is only 30 and is good defensively as well as has some pop. Plus the new GM may want to make a free agent splash that isn't known in these parts. And if trading Rosario was necessary to bring back Zunino, they could use another outfielder. Relief pitcher Brett Cecil, was nearly unhittable in 2015. He still strikes out a lot of guys and doesn't walk many, but his ERA is more than double 2015. He'd be a great lefty option in the pen I also will not pencil in Hughes or Perkins at all. If they come back and give anything that is gravy. I am not going to expect to see them at all. Opening Day rotation... Santana, Shoemaker, Gibson, Santiago, Berrios Bullpen Chagois, May, Tonkin, Kintzler, Rogers, Cecil, Hildenberger, Roster C Zunino, 1B Mauer, 2B Polanco, SS Escobar, 3B Sano, LF Kepler, CF Buxton, RF Reddick DH Vargas Bench C Garver, 1B Park, OF Grossman, UTIL Santana This is probably VERY wrong. Just thought I'd throw it out there. Thoughts?

Mike Berardino mentioned in Brandon Warne's podcast a month or two ago that he thinks the Twins could attempt to acquire Cameron Rupp of the Phillies. They have some other prospects that are close to the majors and may still want Carlos Ruiz around as well, so Rupp could be attainable. He has a good bat (10 homeruns this year so far) and will be 28 all of next year. Don't know what it would take, and I also don't know what he is like defensively.

If Jorge and Gonsalves are going to AA, why isn't Jay? It feels like all of them should move up asap, no?

Jeremy, if Zack Collins were there at 15, do you get a sense the Twins like his bat, or are they leaning elsewhere?

Is JT Chagois holding someone hostage? Did he kill a guy? What does he have to do to get recalled?

I would suspect that there will be a new manager. Maybe Doug Mientkiewicz, maybe someone outside the organization. I could also see Terry Ryan stepping aside, and that someone (probably) from outside the organization will come in. Probably someone with ties to the team in some way, but from outside. Hopefully there is enough of a change in the philosophy in management to really start heavily using analytical and statistics focused scouting. I would then also trade/not bring back Dozier, Plouffe, Abad, Santana, Nolasco, Jepsen and Nunez. Plouffe, Dozier, Abad and Santana should all bring back some level of prospect value. Nolasco, Jepsen and Nunez would be gone to clear space for the younger kids. I would incorporate the kids as much as possible, but the two positions I would go after in free agency hard would be catcher and outfield. I'd sign two former Twins to those spots, Wilson Ramos and Carlos Gomez. I would also go in looking for a strong bullpen piece, but I like what they did with Abad this year so I can see that route working as well. C Ramos and Murphy 1B Mauer 2B Polanco SS Gordon 3B Sano LF Kepler CF Buxton RF Gomez DH Park Bench Escobar Backup catcher Rosario TBD Rotation Gibson Duffey Berrios Jay Meyer or May Bullpen Chagois, Burdi, May possibly, Reed, Melotaksis et al

I'd DFA Fien, Tonkin. Vargas and Millone. I would attempt to trade Rosario and Dozier for whatever we can get (I think Rosario will never be more than a 4th outfielder with how much he chases, and I think Dozier is Dan Uggla waiting to happen. I would send JR Murphy down to AAA and call up Stuart Turner. He and Suzuki and take turns until Suzuki is traded before the deadline. Then bring Murphy back up. Hopefully between the two of them, there can be sometime close to average production. I would try and acquire Kevin Gausman from Baltimore. I think he has #1 or #2 starter upside somewhere in there, and I would give up a lot to get him in prospects. I don't know what that means as far as prospects, but probably anyone outside of Buxton/Sano/Kepler/Nick Gordon. I'd recall Chagois, Burdi asap. I'd have Jorge Polanco play everyday at 2nd base. In another month I'd have Buxton up too and playing every day. The pitching staff will be thankful. I'd run out (mostly) Arcia in left, Buxton in center and Sano in right, until Plouffe is traded and then Kepler can (hopefully) take over in right. I'd also hit Park higher in the order than 6th. I would lead Joe Mauer off, have Park hit 2nd and Sano hit 3rd. Dozier and Santana should not be getting the most at bats for this team, and that can partially explain their lack of offense.

According to Fangraphs, Joe Mauer has so far through his career been worth $274.5 million. To pay less than 200 million overall for that production (including the next 3 years) has been a GREAT deal for the Twins. Yes, he has had some concussions. No, he is not able to play the sport at the same level as in 2009 because he didn't have a traumatic brain injury at that time. Traumatic brain injuries effect everyone differently. No, Joe Mauer's contract does not stop the Twins from spending whatever they want on any other players. No, money in sports, and with celebrities, is not like the rest of us. To compare your 50k per year job to a sports athlete, especially one that was playing at a hall of fame level until he got injured, is just not fair. Yes, he can still get on base. That is not something easily taught, and is frankly amazing what with having multiple concussions. Maybe the sunglasses will help him see better during the day, and he can be a better player going forward. And finally, if he wasn't one of the best current players on the team, he wouldn't be playing as much. To say that Vargas demands time over him is laughable.

Thank you for sharing.

These updates are so great. I only wish I could be there instead of in St. Paul. Have a great time!

Thanks for the update! Pinto is now in the Brewers system. I'm hopeful that Murphy can take the reins as the new catcher this year.

So do you have Sano as your most talented defensive DH? Or who is to say he wouldn't be the best fielding 1st baseman on the roster? That said, I like the idea of Polanco at 2nd. I don't know what that means for Dozier.

% chance that Melotaksis and Burdi are in the bullpen opening day, switching out for Abad and Meyer (potentially.) Higher than 0, right?

Polanco will more than likely start the year at AAA Rochester, and probably do well. He more than likely won't be brought up outside of injury to either Dozier or Escobar, or complete domination by Polanco. That said, I would totally be in the trade Dozier camp as well, if a good opportunity arose and Polanco was showing he could hit a little and take a walk. What would a Dozier trade look like? He is, in a way, the face of the team right now (or one of them) and if the Twins are doing well, that would be tough to trade him away, even if statistically it is the right move.