Cory Engelhardt

I'm curious how they will use their last 3 40 man spots, if NOTHING else changes. My guess, just back of napkin; A 1B A Corner OF/DH/1B Bat At least one more pitcher to either have someone start at AAA, or have that 40 man option start at AAA. All of that is fungible. I've heard Dan Hayes mention Marc Canha. He along with a 1B would really help balance out the lineup. The other main thing I'd do for this offseason is turn off injuries in the settings menu :)

In the Athletic this morning, Jayson Stark wrote of a potential rule change that may be coming, that is being called the Golden At Bat. Basically, every team would be allowed to have one "golden" at bat per game. That means they could have any hitter "pinch hit" in any spot they chose without replacing the hitter. For example, if the Yankees had 6-7-8 coming up in the bottom of the 9th, they could have Juan Soto hit for one of their hitters instead of the bottom of the order guys. It wouldn't do anything on the defensive side, but just give the best hitter on each team a chance to get another at bat in a crucial spot. I hate it. What do you all think?

I'd be up for it if it is a similar contract to what Pineda got initially. Something like 2 million for 2025 and 8 million for 2026 would make sense, especially since this year would really just be about rehab. Good thought :)

This is an awesome writeup. Thanks! Curious where his eventual/primary defensive home will be. I could see him at 2b, 1b or even the outfield along with 3b. But it'd probably be better for him to be at one spot most often.

So the Dodgers did sign him. 5/182. That’s out of the price range of teams who otherwise would even have a lot of money to spend. Oof. Good for him

Dan Hayes specifically mentioned Mark Canha in his and Aaron Gleeman's roster projection in the Athletic this morning. I guess what I'm saying is, whenever Dan mentions a player by name, it perks my ears up a bit. We'll see.

Blake Snell has a twin brother. That’s got to be it, right? Snell has been a twin his entire life :)

No, I don’t see this happening. But Greg Amsinger of mlb network does. Thoughts?

His arbitration is estimated for around 6.4 million. I'm not certain if that is what he would end up with. So yeah, other money would have to go out/be traded more than likely. I'd be open to it, but not certain they could fit that in.

The Phillies just designated Austin Hays. IF he is healthy and get back to his 2023 levels, that would be a great addition here in my opinion.

I saw Cleveland may designate Sam Hentges. If he is healthy, I would 100% be on board bringing him in. EDIT I had forgotten Hentges will miss the 2025 season. Disregard

It’ll be interesting to see if any of them agree to slightly underslot deals, compared to what their expected arbitration numbers are, today or tomorrow. Otherwise, non tendering any of them just means more 40 man openings. Should make for an interesting offseason

I don’t know that they are redundant because they both hit left handed. But I will admit that the downgrade in overall outfield defense scares me. I’d be totally fine moving one or both if it helps in other areas. I also would love a strong defender starting in at least one of the corner spots

Do you have a right side of the bed to get out of in the morning?

Gotta say, if I have the choice between trading Larnach or trading Lewis, I'm not going to trade Lewis.

I do think Buxton will move off of CF at some point. Maybe that is this year. I'm also curious how fast they will promote Walker Jenkins. I'm not saying opening day or even June, but I could see him (barring health) debuting next year too. Should be fun :)

I am having a hard time figuring out what to do with Larnach. He certainly made strides last year, but I also think they will add a right handed power guy that would fill in either at 1B or LF this offseason. Larnach, to me, could also have some value. Especially with Keaschall and Rodriguez knocking on the door as well, and either (theoretically) could also be a left field option. What would you do for left field? My assumption is that Wallner is penciled in right field.

I meant to say Goldschmidt was better both with the bat AND at 1b last year. I don’t see either Miranda or Julien as a true option there defensively. And maybe Goldschmidt isn’t that anymore either. But I do think he would bring something to the team that we lack. I’d be open to more ideas

He was definitely down compared to the rest of his career. He was still an upgrade over what both Miranda and Julien gave last year no? But yeah, I'd be open to a different guy at 1B. Just like doing the blueprints :)

I do want an upgrade on the roster from what is currently slated at 1B. I'm not certain which direction to go necessarily, but I don't see them giving a multi-year deal to anyone (this is as close as I can get on the free agent market to that) and I certainly don't see them signing anyone with the QO attached. What would you do for 1B?

I can see that. I figure both Rodriguez and Keaschall can use some time at AAA before they ascend, and otherwise they do generally have a fairly veteran roster. These are fun to do though.

I hope you enjoy my blueprint. These are fun to put together. 1) Edouard Julien to Miami for reliever Andrew Nardi and OF prospect Andres Valor, their #17 prospect. Nardi is left handed with good stuff, and would immediately slot near the end of our bullpen. Valor is a lottery ticket. Julien could use a fresh start, and Miami could use all the help they can get on the offensive side. 2) Chris Paddack and Tanner Schobel to the Athletics (it's weird not writing Oakland before Athletics, I don't like it) for their #29 prospect Will Simpson, 1B/OF. Oakland takes on all of Paddack's salary and get a good prospect in Schobel. Oakland is on board this offseason in taking on contracts like this, as their overall team payroll is super low, and they get to add a decent prospect. IF Paddack is healthy, he could even be a trade chip for them at the deadline. Simpson, to me, is an interesting flier for 1B in 2026 or 2027. 3) Willi Castro to the Dodgers for their #18 prospect pitcher Maddux Bruns and their #30 prospect, catcher Jesus Galiz. The Dodgers take on his salary too. Bruns is a lefty with great stuff, but he MIGHT end up being a reliever. Galiz hasn't hit a TON at all, but he is a good athlete and gets good remarks for his defense behind the plate. 4) Christian Vazquez and 4 million to the Chicago Cubs for their #13 prospect, catcher Pablo Aliendo. Aliendo may start the year at AA or AAA, and can hit a little for a catcher. 5) CJ Culpepper to the Phillies for CF Johan Rojas. Rojas won't hit much, but he is very fast and is very good in centerfield on defense. Late inning defensive option in the outfield and pinch running asset. 6) Sign Paul Goldschmidt, 1 year 15 million, with an option year tacked on. 1B and DH. He still hits the ball hard, and would be a decent option for the middle of the lineup. 7) Sign catcher Tomas Nido, 1 year 1.4 million. Decent defensive option. Camargo will probably be up and playing at some point too. 8) Have Jax move into the rotation, and go with a 6 man rotation to start the year. A rotation of Lopez/Ryan/Ober/Jax/Festa/SWR is solid. I do think Jax can make the jump, and hopefully with Nardi coming in, Varland moving to the bullpen and Topa being healthy, the bullpen will still be a strength. Thoughts? C: Ryan Jeffers ($4.70M) 1B: Paul Goldschmidt ($15.00M) 2B: Royce Lewis ($2.30M) 3B: Brooks Lee ($0.80M) SS: Carlos Correa ($36.00M) LF: Trevor Larnach ($2.10M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M) DH: Jose Miranda ($0.80M) 4th OF: Johan Rojas ($0.80M) Utility: Michael Helmon ($0.80M) Utility: Austin Martin ($0.80M) Backup C: Tomas Nido ($1.40M) NA: Dead Money Here ($4.00M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.50M) SP2: Joe Ryan ($3.80M) SP3: Bailey Ober ($4.30M) SP4: Griffin Jax ($2.60M) SP5: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.80M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($3.70M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.80M) RP: David Festa ($0.80M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.50M) RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M) RP: Justin Topa ($1.30M) RP: Louie Varland ($0.80M) RP: Andrew Nardi ($0.80M) NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M) Payroll is 0.92% under budget

Came here to ask this too. I'd LOVE going for someone like this, but the A's don't have a pressing need to move on from him for any reason. But absolutely would love looking into him if he could be available. Good job on the blueprint!

I like the site and how it works. I'll just have to get used to pronouncing it correctly after all. :)

I feel like I've heard bluesky pronounced blue-SKY, but I always hear blue-ski, like grabbing a brew-skee. What is the correct pronunciation?