Cory Engelhardt

I have a feeling that Randy Rosario is much further down on your top 50 than he would be on others. Otherwise, great list and fun to read about all of the players.

I always love reading these. Thank you for these, they are definitely appreciated.

I think what needs to be added to this discussion is the obvious upgrade that needs to happen at catcher and at shortstop,at the very least. On top of that, this team may look VERY different in the field behind whatever they do with the pitching staff. If for example, we know that the Twins acquire (hypothetically) Zack Cozart to play SS and an above average defensive catcher to start 120 games, then I will feel better about the team/pitching staff as a whole. But, I do think there will be at least 2-3 new names not listed above who will be solidly in the mix before opening day. 1 free agent (Brett Anderson) and one starter acquired via trade (Dozier?) along with maybe Ervin (unless they trade him) et al.

Love the list. Two questions about your ETA's:1) Why so long for Nick Gordon? 2) I don't think your Gonsalves ETA is possible any longer. Thanks!

If you have 7 starters that could be in the majors, but you are LAST in ERA and K's for what feels like a lifetime (at least 6 years) do you really have any starters that should be on a major league staff? Isn't it imperative they try and acquire 1-2 starters (at minimum) who are above average major league starters? Then, if the rookies from AA come up and can help right away, great! Otherwise the Twins don't HAVE to depend on unproven players once again.

Maybe as a player/coach? Would he be up for part time batting coach? If he produces, then all the better. If he simply can't play anymore, then let him go. But really, if he produces, are we as a fanbase going to be mad that someone who will never approach the career he had (Walker/Palka/Park) isn't getting his at bats? If he is DH mostly, and hits close to 2015, that is a plus for the team. If he gets here and hits like Torii Hunter post May 2015, then he will simply be more of a coach than a player. But you are right, if he still wants to play I bet it is in Miami.

If Jorge and Gonsalves are going to AA, why isn't Jay? It feels like all of them should move up asap, no?

According to Fangraphs, Joe Mauer has so far through his career been worth $274.5 million. To pay less than 200 million overall for that production (including the next 3 years) has been a GREAT deal for the Twins. Yes, he has had some concussions. No, he is not able to play the sport at the same level as in 2009 because he didn't have a traumatic brain injury at that time. Traumatic brain injuries effect everyone differently. No, Joe Mauer's contract does not stop the Twins from spending whatever they want on any other players. No, money in sports, and with celebrities, is not like the rest of us. To compare your 50k per year job to a sports athlete, especially one that was playing at a hall of fame level until he got injured, is just not fair. Yes, he can still get on base. That is not something easily taught, and is frankly amazing what with having multiple concussions. Maybe the sunglasses will help him see better during the day, and he can be a better player going forward. And finally, if he wasn't one of the best current players on the team, he wouldn't be playing as much. To say that Vargas demands time over him is laughable.

Thank you for sharing.

These updates are so great. I only wish I could be there instead of in St. Paul. Have a great time!

Thanks for the update! Pinto is now in the Brewers system. I'm hopeful that Murphy can take the reins as the new catcher this year.

So do you have Sano as your most talented defensive DH? Or who is to say he wouldn't be the best fielding 1st baseman on the roster? That said, I like the idea of Polanco at 2nd. I don't know what that means for Dozier.

% chance that Melotaksis and Burdi are in the bullpen opening day, switching out for Abad and Meyer (potentially.) Higher than 0, right?

Polanco will more than likely start the year at AAA Rochester, and probably do well. He more than likely won't be brought up outside of injury to either Dozier or Escobar, or complete domination by Polanco. That said, I would totally be in the trade Dozier camp as well, if a good opportunity arose and Polanco was showing he could hit a little and take a walk. What would a Dozier trade look like? He is, in a way, the face of the team right now (or one of them) and if the Twins are doing well, that would be tough to trade him away, even if statistically it is the right move.

Jorge Polanco, your thoughts? Where does he go from here?

I'd go 2 years, with a 3rd year option if he hits certain escalators. Yes, all of the minor league guys have potential, but Bastardo is someone you can count on and IS solid. If all of the guys in the minor leagues (or even 4 of them) in a year or more absolutely are out-performing Bastardo, you can trade him then. But all of these guys, none of them could absolutely work out. You never know. It would be nice to have certainty, and Bastardo would help with that. That said, I am still holding out hope for a Jake Mcgee or a Will Smith trade. That is probably naïve.

C Murphy, 1B Sano, 2B Polanco, SS Gordon, 3B Escobar, LF (not on this team yet, we trade prospects for a good veteran outfielder, but I'll throw out Ryan Braun or someone like him) CF Buxton RF Kepler, DH Park. Bench will have Mauer who will still play 3-4 days a week. Bench will also have a catcher, like Navaretto/Turner/Garver (whoever can help the team the most at that point) and probably Vielma and maybe Walker. I don't see Arcia making it through 2016 spring training, let alone staying with the team until 2018.

Thank you for this interview. It was great to be able to hear a little about him and his thoughts. Sounds like a great player. I saw him play at Cedar Rapids a couple years ago, and he was impressive defensively. He also looked like he weighed 90 pounds soaking wet. Hopefully he can become a great player.

Am I the only one that thinks it would be best for Arcia to move on regardless? Even if his bat comes back to 2013 form, he is such a net negative in the of, (especially if Sano has to also be out there) that the team would be worse off with him attempting whatever he calls defense. The team would give up way less runs with him manning a corner spot, and dh-ing, for another team and having Buxton/Rosario/Sano and Davis cover the field. No? I mean, if the best reason to keep him is because he is out of options, is that really worth it?

I can see this line of thinking. At the same time, isn't this the highest Plouffe's ceiling, in terms of value in a trade, will ever be?

So, they should not sign a good free agent bullpen arm, like a Tony Sipp or Antonio Bastardo? I would be disappointed if they didn't attempt to get better with real true strikeout guys. Assuming that Darnell will become a good reliever against lefties doesn't mean he will become that.

Maybe Benson as the 4th outfielder, until Kepler is ready. Unless of course Arcia can hit again, then he'd be 4th of and bench bat.

Corey Williams and Felix Jorge, to me, seem like better adds than Pat Dean and either Rosario or Landa. But what do I know.

I'd shoot for a big time strikeout guy too, if possible. Will Smith, Carter Capps or even sign a free agent like Shawn Kelley. All had k%'s over 30%, and that would be a welcome addition to our pen. I would guess Kelley would be the easiest to acquire (being a free agent) but I'd for sure talk to Milwaukee about Smith and just see what it would take. Polanco and Kohl Stewart, maybe? Is that too much? - But yeah, the Plouffe trade I think is announced about 10 minutes after the Park signing is official. My first thought is to target Cam Bedrosian of the Angels along with a low minors arm with upside. Otherwise if the Twins can get a low minors arm with upside (think Alex Meyer type at Low A somewhere) that would be ideal. - I am afraid of counting on Rosario/Buxton/Kepler/Arcia to be the outfield from day 1. Even Danny Santana. Not all of them will work out and be good right away, and really I only have faith that Buxton and Kepler will become great. I'd love to target someone in free agency to play solid defense and hold down an outfield spot for a few months at least. I'd love a Denard Span signing, as I think he could hold down a spot for at least 1 year (granted he is healthy) and then let players take over who are the best at that point. - I don't want to target another #4 pitcher. I could see Fister being a good option a few years ago, but now they have more quantity than quality in the rotation. Berrios and Duffey will be up at some point, otherwise the Twins have to hope to develop an ace. And really, Santana, Hughes, Gibson and Millone should be able to hold down the rotation, along with Duffey, until Berrios is ready to (hopefully) dominate and injuries happen. Nolasco is a sunk cost unless he comes to spring in shape, then he makes his way into the rotation, possibly over Millone. C Murphy, 1B Mauer, 2B Dozier, SS Escobar, 3B Sano, DH Park, LF Rosario, CF Buxton, RF Arcia/Santana platoon, or a free agent like Span, who would switch to left field and Rosario in right Bench Suzuki, Santana, Nunez, free agent 4th of? Rotation, Santana, Hughes, Gibson, Duffey, Millone Bullpen, Perkins, Jepsen, Will Smith, Shawn Kelley, Trevor May, Pressley, Meyer Nolasco I won't list. If he is healthy and ready to contribute he will be in place of Millone, who is traded. Berrios starts at AAA and when someone is injured, or he has 5-7 starts and is just too good, then he comes up and other changes are made.

Or even Bedrosian and Victor Alcantara. Huge upside arm who hasn't pitched much about low A, but he did throw in the futures game. Would that be too much for Plouffe back? We would get a potentially good late inning arm, and a high upside prospect arm to start at Fort Myers and see where it goes.