Cory Engelhardt

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?

I think you are really undervaluing Casas. I do that deal in a millisecond, but Boston would probably need a LOT more added. I like the thought though.

Forgot about Moran. I'm almost ready to pencil him into the bullpen as well, barring health. Wouldn't be shocked if he opens at AAA though. Do you know, could they make a trade for Rosario (for example) today or tomorrow morning so they don't have to worry about protecting him?

Someone, somewhere, for every sports team that has existed since the start of the internet, has written this exact statement in the comments section of every article about every single team that has ever been. I don’t know if it is a copy/paste, or just something that’s needed to be said about an article that isn’t relevant to said article, but it is exactly written like this in every comments section that has ever happened. Incredible really. That said, I would guess Adams makes the cut here, along with Raya and Olivar and probably Macleod. I can’t tell if Rosario will. Wouldn’t be shocked if one or two of them get traded before the deadline tomorrow. Trades for players like this can happen today and tomorrow, right?

I kind of hope they trade for someone to play 1b that they like instead of relying on the free agent market. Just my opinion

I like the value of Rushing and the reliever. I also really like the idea of getting Walker. I’m not certain we would sign someone who turned down the qo and give up the draft capital though. Agreed that 1b is a definite need though

Still, it’s up to the development team to determine who they feel the safest trading. For example, if they think Festa will be their 3rd best starter in 2025, you better not trade him then right? Whoever they trade, better not be wrong for the results.

I would absolutely be open to this if the player they are bringing in would be more ready to help than either Emmanuel Rodriguez or Luke Keaschall. And I can totally see trading a young arm. I like the creativity of thought here

I can’t see them trading anyone coming off a down or injured season.

Yeah see, to me I wouldn't trade him for prospects either. I would very much listen to bring back a player or players that can help the 2025 roster. And my value for him would be VERY high.

I feel like there are 3 options here, 2 more likely... 1) They truly are going to try him as a starter, as they think he could be a high end starter. If he can transition and his stuff and command stay about the same, theoretically it could work. 2) They are open to trading him, and they are saying this to build up his potential value. There are probably teams out there asking about him thinking they can turn him to a starter ongoing, and the Twins would want starter level value back in trade vs reliever level value coming back. IF both of these don't happen, obviously he is a high end reliever. But relievers can be so fungible in terms of results year to year.

Which makes me still go to a place that this is coming out because they want Jax’s trade value to be that of a starter. If some team will trade for him as if he were a starter, then more would be coming back right?

Just came here to say that Reynaldo Lopez, in 2023, pitched in 68 games. Only 6 of those appearances went for more than 1 inning. He then went on to throw 135 really good starter innings in 2024. Im not certain if Jax could also make the jump. But his stuff and command are better now than in 2021. Id be open to giving it a shot