Cory Engelhardt

Polanco as the utility guy, and Lewis up at SS. Keep Arraez at 2B, especially against righties, and have Polanco back up all positions in the infield and play every day. Blankenhorn should be able to help too, but a man can dream on an Eduardo Ecobar reunion too, right?

I haven't commented on here in a while. It's been hard to find joy in this season with everything going on. I only wish I could like this post more than one time. This was really great. Thank you.

Hear me out, and maybe this is crazy, but Billy Hamilton maybe? I mean, yes, that's crazy. But keep him for JUST pinch running and defensive replacement late innings. Don't let him bat (heck, pinch-hit a pitcher instead) but late innings, someone gets on base, having a great pinch running option couldn't hurt. Otherwise, I really like the Pillar idea, and/or just sticking with Lamonte Wade.

Is there a Sano cone, basically shaved ice with different flavors? Possibly for kids or options for 21+? Loved this article. Thanks!

Really enjoyed the shows you guys put together. Best of luck in your travels!

Crazy thought (I mean crazy because it isn't mentioned at all in articles or even said out loud very often) but what if looking at a 3B defensive upgrade for Sano also means they would be toying with the idea of trading him for pitching? Hypothetically, they keep Cron for a year AND bring in a 3B who would be a defensive upgrade. What kind of pitcher could you get for 2 years left of Sano? This is not me advocating trading him. I just, I see articles mentioning trading Rosario. Sano HAS to have a bit more trade value at the moment right? And, arguably, this would be the highest his trade value would ever be I'd imagine. Thoughts? Is this crazy to say out loud?

1) The Dyson trade didn't work out. That said, in scouting, can you "see" that a player is injured? Is that possible without X-ray vision? I'm not being snarky, I really don't know. 2) Odorizzi was a really good trade. Will the player they gave up ever make it to AA? 3) You didn't mention that they turned Garcia into Zack Littell. That turned out well, no?

This is a fun one. Great to read through!

1) I would be all about Price, especially if Boston covered even some of the salary. Playoff experience, previous working history with Rocco and Josh Kalk. Could be a great role model. If the shoulder holds out, this could be a great way to add talent for relatively low cost in terms of prospects going back! 2) Wheeler or Bumgarner or Ryu (whoever they like the best) getting one in the fold would also significantly add to our team. As many playoff-level starters as possible should be in our rotation. 3) Buxton, Berrios, May, Rogers all should be approached for good extensions. No doubt! Love the article!

I would totally go for Wheeler. I want either of them, or Ryu, on the team. I like Wheeler’s stuff more for sure. If he is here, that is good in my book. Gallen I like more than most. I am all about trading for a pitcher though, someone young with team control. There are definitely other options though. Who else should they look at?

1) You might be right. I wanted to shoot for trading for a pitcher with team control and that the Twins would like their stuff. I'm not certain it is an overpay. They gave up a very good prospect to get him 3 months ago. They might be open to gaining some good prospects/players for him now, no? 2) I'd argue the trade I brought up is an underpay for Anderson. He's only 26 and has been almost a 4 WAR player for 2 years in a row. Larnach, or the idea of Larnach, would be tough to lose. But the other 3 players that I named, are any of them future stars? Anderson is someone I see as being a core level player here.

1) I can agree with that, as it was super tough to give up Balazovic. Still, Gallen threw 80 innings in the majors last year, and 133 and 147 the two years prior in the minors. Balazovic has topped out at 93 innings, but I still think he has a chance to be something. Gallen, to me, already looks like he is someone that we hope Balazovic could turn in to. Rosario leaving could hurt, as would Thorpe, but I love the potential. I also figured if our fans hate a trade, but don't loathe it with every fiber of their being, then it is probably fair 2) Brian Anderson has 4 years of team control, has had 3.9 and 3.8 Baseball Reference WAR in back to back years in Miami, and grades out well above average defensively, all while hitting 261/342/468 for a pretty bad Miami team. And I'd argue no one they are giving up is a true difference maker, even if all of them are solid/good. 3) The 3 free agents, those are guesses on money. I know 72 is what a lot of people are predicting for Bumgarner, but if 6 teams are offering 72, Twins may have to go above that to secure his services no?

Here is my first blueprint for the Twins offseason. I'm using baseballtradevalues.com to come up with the trade scenarios. 1) Let CJ Cron walk. 2) Re-sign Sergio Romo, 1 year 3 million. Re-sign Jason Castro, 1 years 6 million with an option. 3) Keep Odorizzi, either through QO or work out a 3 year deal. 4) Trade Eddie Rosario, Jordan Balazovic and Lewis Thorpe to Arizona for starter Zac Gallen. I REALLY like his upside, and he comes with 6 years of team control. His changeup and command would look great long term. 5) Trade Trevor Larnach, Brent Rooker, Nick Gordon and Blayne Enlow to Miami for Brian Anderson. 4 years of team control, solid defensive 3rd baseman and can hit. This would move Miguel Sano to 1B. This might be an underpay in trade value, but I really think he would upgrade our infield defense. 6) Sign Madison Bumgarner, 4 year deal, 88 million. I think he is up for a 2nd wind in his career, like Justin Verlander has had with Houston. 7) Sign Jake Diekman, 1 year 8 million with an option. 8) Sign Alex Gordon, 1 year 13 million with an option. C Mitch Garver 0.60 1B Miguel Sano 5.50 2B Luis Arraez 0.60 SS Jorge Polanco 4.0 3B Brian Anderson 0.60 LF Alex Gordon 13.0 CF Byron Buxton 3.50 RF Max Kepler 6.3 DH Nelson Cruz 12 Starting lineup total cost = 46.10 million Bench Jason Castro 6.0 Marwin Gonzalez 9.0 Lamonte Wade 0.60 Ehire Adrianza 3.0 Bench total cost = 18.6 Rotation Madison Bumgarner 22.0 Jose Berrios 4.5 Jake Odorizzi 17.8, or give or take 15 Zac Gallen 0.60 Randy Dobnak (or Devin Smeltzer, until Duran/Graterol/et al are ready) 0.60 Rotation cost = 42.7 to 45.5, depending on Odorizzi signing a 3 year deal or taking the QO Bullpen Taylor Rogers 4.0 Tyler Duffey 1.3 Trevor May 2.5 Jake Diekman 8.0 Sergio Romo 3.0 Zack Littell 0.60 Cody Stashak 0.60 Graterol/Alcala/Smeltzer/churn of guys between AAA and the majors 0.60 Total bullpen cost = 20.6 Total team cost Lineup = 46.1 Bench = 18.6 Rotation = 45.5 (I'm putting this in as if Odorizzi takes the QO) Bullpen = 20.6 ________________ Total = 130.8 We traded away a lot of prospect capital for the guys coming back. But we also would still, potentially have 4-5 top 100 prospects, all who could make their debuts this year, not including Graterol who made his debut this year. But there would certainly be room for Kirilloff and Lewis to push to make the team at some point in 2020 ongoing. Thoughts?

The top 8 for me are basically given, depending on where they think Javier is at and IF they believe he could stick for a whole year somewhere else. I also think Sam Clay could be a good option. Lots of talent here for sure. Any chance any of these players are moved prior to the point where a decision has to be made, specifically for players that wouldn't have to be on the 40 man?

Loved this! Great article!

This was awesome! Thanks for throwing this! Literally everyone that played won money, since the top 70 or so would win and only 36 people signed up. Made the super bowl fun to follow. Have a great day!

I like all of this, and I think he would help the team long term. My only question is, other than money (which every team will be able to offer) why would Machado choose Minnesota?

1) Maybe a deal with the Rockies for Jon Gray and Ryan Mcmahon (3B/1B) ? 2) I'd also love the extensions you mention, as well as potentially a strong glove/defensive shortstop. I'll say Jose Iglesias would look great here. 3) Sign a reliever to a 2 year deal (like Reed's contract) and some 1 year minor league contracts for the bullpen and see what plays out. 4) Get everyone healthy and ready to roll. Let's go!

I like this thought. Sign Iglesias and move Polanco to 2B. That fixes two positions up the middle as I think Polanco is a better 2nd baseman than anyone else currently on the free agent market. And then because Igelsias is so good defensively, it would help Sano as well IF Sano is still going to be the main 3rd baseman.

I was interning with the Saints in 2005, remember that 5am game well. Thanks for starting this list

That is almost exactly what Rooker did last year. Why not try the same scenario with Larnach?

Should be fun to follow. I'd imagine pitching will be the focus today, but I like that they took college bats in the first day who should at least be able to translate their offense to professional ball. If they were able to save a little money with the Jeffers pick and/or the Larnach pick, I'm curious to see how they will divvy up their slot money today.

mlb.com's mock today had the Twins getting your #9 Mcclanahan. It'll be a fun draft to follow on Monday. Hopefully the player they take can help the team in the coming years. Also, awesome job on these write-ups, they are much appreciated.

All day games is an exciting idea for the lunch hour! Can't wait!

Congrats!