Cory Engelhardt

I’d add a consistent middle of the lineup option.

I don't see how you can put Paddack ahead of Festa. I just don't. I'd have Paddack (if he is still on the team) as the long guy initially. As of now I'd have it as Lopez/Ryan/Ober/SWR/Festa in the rotation. I'd certainly be fine with trading/adding a front line starter once again. We'll see if that happens. Otherwise I'd also expect a decent minor league veteran to be added to the mix who POSSIBLY could start at Saint Paul. I just can't put Paddack ahead of Festa to start the year as of now. I'm not even all that certain that I'd put Paddack ahead of Zebby. But if he is on the team, he could be a long reliever no?

I don’t agree with having Topa on this list. He isn’t at all a difficult decision if he is healthy

Not going into financials, as well as not going into who is going to be added to the front office and coaching staff (as applicable.) Just throwing out ideas of things I think would help the roster. 1) Acquiring a solid left handed bullpen option. I don't know if this is via trade or free agency, and I actually think their bullpen is looking solid for 2025 with adding Varland and Topa to the mix. 2) Determine which of the youngish guys who fell off the table in August and September (and there are MANY) were playing through injury, and which ones instead are ones that we won't attempt to build with. I'm not going to list the names, but I do think there is a good chance that one or more of the younger position players who were a part of the team in 2024 won't be a part of the team in 2025. 3) Acquire someone who can be a middle of the order bat. Maybe that's at 1B, or DH, or a corner outfield spot, but this team desperately needs a veteran who can be penciled in the cleanup spot. They've missed that since Nelson Cruz left. They could do this in free agency, or they could do this via trade. They certainly have a LOT of prospect capital. Beyond that, it'll be interesting to see if they do try and get out of Paddack and Vazquez's salary. I don't think it's a need (as both are signed through only 2025) but it is a possibility. I wouldn't make a point to trade away Vazquez as his defense is certainly a positive. I actually am more bullish than some, potentially, on what the rotation will look like and the depth behind it. But I do think prioritizing at least one arm could be important too. Don't want to have to get to the 8th starter in May if possible.

It FEELS like this could have been coming even if the season didn't nosedive, at least in my opinion. Curious if they will promote internally or look outside. And how much power the new GM will have in terms of player acquisition.

Ok, let's say they are looking for a new GM. What would people want in a GM? I'm assuming an internal promotion would be frowned upon by local fans (even if someone deserves a promotion) but would people want/need an external hire for this? After internal/external, what type of focus would you want out of a new GM? Like, would you want the new gm to be more aggressive/less aggressive than Levine has been?

Of coaches that have Twins ties, why not Torii Hunter?

Maybe Twins Daily writers and posters as well? :)

Just curious why Falvey is getting grades for player moves? I thought that would fall under Thad Levine, who you didn't list here?

In this scenario, they are trading Jeffers. What would his value be? I don’t see him being traded, just asking what you would do with him? And what value you would want back? I did want Yasmani Grandal years ago. I wonder how much he has left in the tank. Let’s say the hypothetical happens and Jeffers is traded and you have a Grandal/Vazquez platoon; would that be an improvement?

Yeah that makes an awful lot of sense to me.

I very much, barring health, can see Walker Jenkins up next year. I don't love that we could potentially (again) have an all left handed hitting outfield, with Rodriguez coming up first. Maybe Keaschall is an option, or an outside target? I can't put Paddack immediately in the rotation. Curious what the plan is with him. It FEELS like so many guys are playing really hurt right now. Pre-August there weren't massive holes. Now because the bats have been silenced, it FEELS like more massive holes when it could be that a lot of guys just have to get healthy. I still expect changes though.

I'd love to see your payroll table. Mostly because I'm trying to figure out potential idea/blueprint plans for this offseason, and I do expect changes to come. I just can't wrap my head around what those are at the moment. I don't think Falvey will leave, and I'd imagine Rocco stays. Beyond that, I COULD see a new GM (even if it is an internal promotion) and I could see coaching staff changes. Also with that, I very much could see changes to the roster as a whole. SO MANY players are playing right now like they are injured (maybe they are?) but I could see trading some of the roster just to give other guys an opportunity and have a different breakdown. This offseason will be interesting to say the very least.

Williams had come off of seasons of 2.5 and 2.7 WAR prior to arbitration. Duran has had back to back seasons of 1.1 and 1.1. I don't know that he will get to that level. But you are right, it's not like he will just double salary. I still don't think that is the way they will move payroll this offseason.

Duran made 747k in 2024. 2025 will be his first year of arbitration. You REALLY think he is going to make approximately 3 million in his first year of arbitration? REALLY?!?!?!

This article makes me feel sad to read, but it is a very obvious question ongoing. Always appreciate your articles. Thanks!

This is a great look at it Jamie. Thank you first of all. I do think the organization as a whole is in a strong place at the moment. Lots of prospects, strong depth everywhere, and a winning team (even with the last 10 games or so.) I do hope Falvey stays for a long time. I can see GM changing, and possibly promoting someone from within. That can certainly happen. I'm curious if the direction of the offseason will change based on whoever is in that seat, be it Levine or someone else? They do have a LOT of prospects that they both could rely on for the major league roster, and/or trade to add some help.

The two of them just couldn’t get close enough. Doesn’t mean that happens with every starter obviously. But Gray wanted elsewhere.

They were right about Maeda, and Gray never would have come back. But it is frustrating they didn’t acquire a different playoff level starter, especially this past offseason.

Gotta say, I can really see a scenario where KC and MN finish ahead of Cleveland in the central. Everyone has to stay healthy. I don't at all trust KC's depth. Probably the least depth of the 3 MN/Cle/KC. That said, Witt is REALLY good. He might be the best player in the American League. Baseball is fun when there is competition like this.

Fedde isn’t a rental, and he is having a legit good season. But I have a hard time seeing the ask being one of our top 3. Not with what they actually got back for him. Something doesn’t add up for me. It also makes me frustrated even more that they didn’t try for a playoff level starter this past offseason. The trade deadline is never going to be a given as you don’t know A) Who will be willing to sell at that time, B) Who will still be healthy and pitching well at the end of July, and C) which of your prospects will be playing well. It’s all a guess. Hopefully the young guys can perform, be it Festa or Matthews or someone else. Their stuff all looks legit, but it all has to translate. I also hope they are open to adding a playoff level starter this offseason even more now. Yes they have 3 guys who are going well (and I’d absolutely argue are throwing better than anyone who was traded at the deadline, absent Flaherty who the Yankees didn’t want to add due to his physical.) Still, even with all these what if’s, not doing anything feels like a gut punch and makes it really easy to be mad at ownership.

I'd add Hunter Harvey to the guys that Kansas City added prior to the deadline, just for listing purposes. Overall, the best name going to any team here is probably Arozarena to Seattle right? I don't know that I see a lot of difference makers listed otherwise.

Any word on when any of the recent draft picks will debut? Debarge and Amick specifically signed a bit ago. Figured maybe they could debut here in the next week or so. Thanks!

I always have loved adding “in bed” to things like this. :)

Always enjoy your writing Nate. Thanks!