Cory Engelhardt

Clarke Schmidt?

Greene hasn't pitched in weeks, so hard to compare. I am leaning Wright anyway, but if the front office believes in any of them, then I will try my best to believe in that player too

McKay's numbers this year, overall, are outstanding. There are two reasons I am leaning Wright more as of 5/18/17... 1) Wright's last 9 starts are dominant to say the least, while McKay has been more ok during the same time period. 2) McKay's reported drop in velocity over his last 3 starts scares the bejeezus out of me. His last start he was working mostly 88, hitting 90. If he can get back to working 90-94 I am obviously ok with McKay being the pick. I just like Wright's velocity staying strong both throughout the year and throughout his starts.

Kyle Wright sounds like a GREAT pick to me!

Jeremy, with the news of South Carolina's Clarke Schmidt having to have tommy john surgery, is there any thought that he could be available at 35 or 37 for the Twins? He seems like a guy that really could be a top of the line starter in 2019 when he is fully over his rehab. And now, with the injury, he may be more affordable come draft time, where it kind of looked like he could be a top 15 or 20 pick pre injury.

Knee surgery for Vielma? That's really too bad. Do we know what kind of surgery and what his timetable looks like?

Curious, what are the Twins really losing if they lose Tonkin? I'd be ok moving on from him and keeping Breslow for the time being. Bringing up Vargas makes too much sense at this point to help balance the roster and give the bench a solid bat. Plus, Vargas has always murdered lefties (not literally, or at least I hadn't seen that) and a healthy Vargas would have helped the lineup yesterday more than Chris Giminez would have.

So they add Park, Giminez and Breslow (not Vogelsong) to the 40 man. We all assume that May and Perkins (probably) could be added to the 60 day dl. Otherwise, who do you have coming off the 40 man? Danny Santana? Michael Tonkin?

No, you are right, it would have to be a one way opt out.

Most big time free agents LOVE opt out clauses now. The twins could be creative and offer HUGE money for 2 years with an opt out for a pitcher. Then if he were to be injured, the Twins are saved for 6 years of paying an injured player. On the flip side, if the pitcher does pitch well for 2 years, that is a good thing right? Of those listed, Tillman and Pineda interest me some, as well as maybe Darvish. Could be interesting to see what happens.

Thanks for these updates Seth. They are very much appreciated. Curious if you have any updates on Kohl Stewart? I have high hopes for him this year.

New article on Greene today. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/ask-ba-hunter-green-compare-hs-righthanders/#wyo6yxqPZfys9i9c.97

I just, has there ever been a high school pitcher, or player, who is a finished product? All prospects are projectability and potential. If someone at age 17 (which he will be until August) shows any feel at all for secondary pitchers (which is being reported) shouldn't we take into account that the plan would be that 4 years from now, at age 21, he will have had proper development to really harness that stuff he has to be able to compete at a major league level? That is the hope, right? The Twins aren't drafting him to be in their major league rotation at age 18. They are drafting him because with the right development, his build/maturity/current pitchability plus projected pitchability may equate to a top of the line starter in 3-4 years. To say that a 17 year old is a finished project and will not develop their talents at all in the next 3 years just doesn't make sense to me.

You are the only person I have read anywhere that is down on Greene. It just astounds me that you aren't taking projection and potential into account.

Jeremy, follow up; What do you think of Griffin Canning out of UCLA? As of 2/7/17, he is the pitcher I am really hoping falls to 35. UCLA has really turned out some good starters in recent years, and he has a good build, some above average pitches according to mlbpipeline, and has solid command.

Jeremy, whoever the twins take at #1 will be a very good prospect. With the way slitting works now, what are the chances that someone who is highly ranked (think top 15) can fall to 35 or 37? It's not like the Twins will have to use their entire slot on whoever they take at #1, right? I know it isn't as large a pool as before, but there has to be some chance of using that slot money to an advantage, right?

Thank you for this article. I appreciated it. I try to stay grounded in my rooting interest for the Twins, but in the moment (not trading Dozier, for example) I was bummed that move didn't happen. But that said, I think there are more than a few reasons to be optimistic about this year's team... 1) Castro is going to help the pitching staff and the runs allowed more than we know. The jump from Suzuki to him is immense. 2) The pitching staff we have isn't necessarily the garbage it is made out to be, if it has help from a legit catcher. Gibson and Hughes aren't far removed from above average seasons, when healthy. Santana could still be good, but assuming he will be AS good as last year may be optimistic. Overall, I think adding Castro and Murphy (or Garver) will be an enormous upgrade on defense and pitch calling compared to Suzuki and Centeno. 3) Buxton and Sano and Kepler and Polanco. They will take step forwards, some (Buxton especially) I am ready to take an enormous step forward. That will be exciting to watch. 4) The bullpen was good last year, right up until they were overworked. This will be something to watch, if the starters can give a typical number of innings (at least 5-6 per start) I think the bullpen will be better off this year too. 5) Outfield defense; Buxton and Kepler and Rosario all year is a good defense. I still wish they had a real 4th of, but Grossman can't be as bad as he was last year, can he? 6) Mauer, he is a good 1st baseman. Not a hall of famer at the level of production he gives at 1st base, but he will get on base and play good defense. I do think pairing him with Vargas (who mashes lefties) will make 1st base a better than league average position. 7) Dozier, he is a stud, and he will probably bring a good trade at the deadline. Ervin and most of the bullpen too. 8) I think the DH spot is a great spot to platoon, and hopefully the team will see that. Vargas and Grossman both murder lefties. I had hoped for a Brandon Moss or Luis Valbuena to take care of the righties, but Park may be good as the full time DH. I suppose there is still time to take a chance on Napoli or Chris Carter. 9) I don't have a lot of hope for Rosario or Eduardo Escobar any longer. They have both shown flashes in past seasons recently, but Rosario, with his inability to get on base, and Escobar, with his season last year and the lack of defense he provided (I wonder if he was healthy last year?) I think these two will be the biggest question marks on offense. 10) Sano's defense will be fine, at least good enough where he can stay at 3rd with the offense he provides. 11) Polanco's arm, I don't know. I think he will be a better 2nd baseman too. Hopefully having him at short for 3-4 months (until Dozier is probably traded) gives us a real answer if we have a SS in Polanco or not. Do I think it is all roses and sunshine and puppies? No. I am fully expecting 74 wins this year, which is a pretty big jump from last year. But I do think there are positives to be had, and if more than a few things go right, specifically in the starting rotation while also bringing up some guys (Gonsalves, Mejia, Berrios) 2018 could start to look pretty positive.

I missed this one because of having young kids at home. But the draft party, if that comes to fruition, I would be ALL for that. Sounds like a GREAT idea!

I am all about signing a good bullpen guy to a 1 year deal. I would also love to get an outfielder who can platoon/work with Rosario and Kepler. I don't know that I love the starting options you have listed, but a DH could be a nice get as well. 1) Desmond Jennings 2) Pedro Alvarez 3) Greg Holland or Joe Blanton or Sergio Romo or Aaron Barrett or Fernando Salas or you name it. That would help a team going into spring training.

I think we forget how good Vazquez was. If De Leon has a Javier Vazquez type career, there are many who would argue that is hall of fame worthy http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2016/12/2/13761686/javier-vazquez-hof-hall-of-fame-ballot-omission-fwar-rwar-pwarp-dra

My opinion; Santana should be gone, and Vargas should be in a platoon where he faces (and mashes) lefties. A 1B platoon with Mauer, where Mauer faces righties, would probably help both of them.

How much would Zack Cozart cost to acquire in prospects? If it isn't crazy, he would be great for a year. Mike Napoli at dh? A 1 year deal with an option Neftali Feliz sounds good too. Luis Valbuena! Peter Bourjos or Desmond Jennings would be great to platoon with Rosario and provide solid outfield defense. Let's make a decision on Dozier and move on to other moves!

Just ordered! Had to pay for Friday/payday, but I'm so excited to get it in the mail! Thanks for putting this together you guys!

Curious if the bullpen will be upgraded simply by switching out Duffey for May. Also, any chance a free agent arm (Drew Storen?) is added? Will be interesting to see if the starting rotation can pitch long enough into games (on average) so the bullpen isn't overused this year.