Cory Engelhardt

If you were to tell me they were getting him at 34, I'd be ecstatic. At 5, not so much.

Please believe me that I am not advocating to keep Kepler around. I just don't have a ton of faith that Wallner is a starting level corner outfielder. I do think Larnach can be, if he can ever stay healthy, but that's another question mark. I'd love to be proven wrong. He is ready for his shot.

I mean, he very much could be worse.

I think if you are expecting Wallner to outperform Kepler, you will probably be disappointed. I mean, I'm expecting to win the powerball. That'll happen at some point, right? (I'm NOT saying to not ditch Kepler. It's been time for a while now. I just don't see Wallner being this massive upgrade, or even an upgrade.)

My fingers have been crossed for him to be a twin for some time now. I actually do t have feeling in those fingers anymore. Is that a problem? Does anyone know a medical professional? How am I still typing? :) Anyway, I hope he is there at 5 :)

Some things have to change. They just do. Can't keep going with the same lineup when there is zero production.

I'd be SHOCKED

And see, I do every one of these trades at the time of the deal. Even now, arguably other than the Arraez for Lopez et al deal, I'm not certain they really lost anything otherwise that will come back to haunt them.

To be fair to Langford, he is every bit as fast and athletic enough to be a good defensive center fielder. He may need some coaching on defensive routes to the ball, but he is a fantastic athlete. He isn’t Josh Willingham/Delmon Young out there

I do Hope Larnach can find luck with health at some point here. That’s most likely why a dfa move hasn’t happened yet

I’d be all for it if Crews or Langford are already gone.

I'm not advocating for anyone being DFA'd AND then also adding someone else. I only meant that I don't see Wallner being an upgrade over either Kepler or Gallo. That's all. I had hoped Larnach would take the next step at some point. We'll see.

Rocco is already signed through either 2025 or 2026. If you want him gone, I have bad news for you. And I'm not at all certain that Wallner is a better option than either Max or Gallo. Not that either have been great. I wouldn't mind looking to the trade market for a different upgrade if possible.

I'm hoping for Langford at #5. I don't know if that is possible, but he would be a homerun pick

I would absolutely look into dfa'ing Kepler post haste (it's beyond time) but I do think getting Miranda going will be about as good a positive as this lineup can hope for. He has started to pick it up a bit in AAA, and going into the season I truly thought he was set to be our best hitter. I still think that could be the case. I know he had shoulder issues in spring training (he didn't play 3rd base until basically opening day) so I have to think that played a part, right? After that, I do think a trade is in order that will help the roster. I'd try and go after someone who is having a solid year and who is striking out less than the league average. Probably someone from an organization who isn't going all in this year. The first name I came up with when looking at K% leaders in 2023 was Lamonte Wade Jr. Now, don't laugh, as he was good in 2021, terrible in 2022, and is having a career year sort of start to 2023. I know he has 2 more years of team control after this year, but I also don't know that he would break the bank in terms of prospect capital. I'd look at trading more than a few guys for him, as getting someone who walks as much as he does, and strikes out as little as he does, would be such a boon to this offense. There are other things they can do at that point. Let Larnach and Wallner get a chance (by trading away Kepler) and getting Miranda going at AAA (does he replace Solano at that point?) But it's possible that Austin Martin could even be up this year, and for everything he is, he doesn't strike out and he makes contact with some speed. All things the roster could use an infusion of. That might be optimistic in terms of Martin, but I am curious where they will send him after his current rehab assignment is up. Does he go to Wichita or St. Paul initially? Does he need tommy john? We'll see. Oh, and did I mention get Correa and Buxton healthy and going? That would help too :) As far as trading for a reliever, I do think the next month and a half will show us where the need is there. I have faith in about 5 or 6 of the bullpen arms already, but some could turn it around in the next month where the type of pitcher they will need to acquire will be more apparent. But yeah, I don't want Aroldis Chapman.

I'm glad that you aren't the gm of this team.

I mean, I want to win the powerball and not have to go to work another day in my life. Ken Rosenthal didn't even need to interview me for that one. But adding a player like Chapman to a clubhouse that wants to be healthy; better chance that I end up winning the powerball.

Skenes would be amazing at #5. I'd even be ok (as of today) if they were to take Dollander as I think they have the infrastructure in place to help him get back to what he was in 2022. That said, I'd prefer whoever falls to 5 over Dollander, or anyone else listed other than Skenes. Money talks though.

Have to get him healthy. He isn’t a sub .800 ops guy when he is healthy. beyond that, I want him as healthy as possible for September and October. June 3rd is not the time for these grand proclamations. get him healthy and hitting again, and it will work itself out.

Loved this, thank you for this. I do not think they will take a pitcher (other than Skenes) at 5, but I would certainly take a college pitcher over Wilson or Gonzalez too. But yeah, the other 4 hitters listed here too.

Came here to just say I loved your write up. Great description for a fun game Nate. Thank you:)

I would go Cade Kuehler at 34 and then either Tanner Witt or the best available hitter at #49.

This would be a fantastic start for the Twins. If it falls this way, what would you expect for 34 and 49 if the draft falls this way

Such a great way to start the week! Thank you for the work you guys put in to this.

Thanks!