olivia11

Assuming Urias is untouchable, I'm hoping for: De Leon + Alvarez + Yusniel Diaz + Jacob Rhame for Dozier + Kohl Stewart

I really like this blueprint and I agree with just about everything except 1) penciling in Perkins as the CP from day one. I think it should be Storen here while we let Perkins work his way back. 2) the Santana(s) trade. Keller is a good prospect to target but I would also try to get one of 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (#6 in org; #6 in top 10 mlb 3b prospects) or 3B Will Craig (#8 in org) to help with the Twins' lack of solid prospects at 3B. (Sano probably won't be able to play there too many years so it's smart to build it up). I would also ask for one of RHP Travis Macgregor (#25 in org) or RHP Trevor Williams (#27 in org). Williams will start AAA/MLB but Macgregor has a higher ceiling. So, how about Ervin Santana & Danny Santana for Keller, Hayes, and Macgregor? Also: I really like your focus on building back up the prospect list.

Looks like Brewers want him to try 1B. "The Brewers, however, are open to seeing whether he can handle first base, where they face an immediate decision on arbitration-eligible slugger Chris Carter, and a long-term one with no standout prospect at the position." from Milwaukee's MLB site.

What about... Dozier, Plouffe, Kohl Stewart FOR RHP Jose De Leon, C Austin Barnes, RHP Jordan Sheffield, OF Yusniel Diaz ? This trade is all about the now and the future. De Leon and Barnes help the Twins now. Sheffield is at least 2 years away and adds depth to the Twins group of pitching prospects. Diaz played last year at high A and similarly adds depth to the group of hitting prospects which has taken a huge hit after graduating the likes of Sano, Buxton, Kepler, Polanco, etc. Dodgers get Dozier to help now and Stewart to hopefully develop into the frontline starter he was originally projected to be. Plouffe is essentially a throw-in here since I think it's pretty likely he'd otherwise be non-tendered and the 9M doesn't mean much for the Dodgers.

5 Potential Dozier Trades #1 Dodgers Dozier to LAD for -Jose De Leon (RHP): #32/100 prospect, #2 in organization. Profiles as a #2. Like adding another Berrios to the roster? Will start MLB or AAA in 2017. -Yadier Alvarez (RHP): #93/100 prospect, #5 in organization. Profiles as frontline starter. Will start in A+ or AA in 2017. #2 Yankees Dozier to NYY for -Luis Severino (RHP): former top prospect; 22 years old; 4.46 ERA in 22 GS in MLB. Would start MLB in 2017. -Jordan Montgomery (LHP): #19 prospect in organization, profiles back of rotation starter, will start AAA or MLB in 2017. #3 Mets Dozier to NYM for -Steven Matz (LHP); 3.16 career ERA in 28 mlb starts. Mets can afford to give up a young starter. #4 Pirates Dozier to PIT for -Tyler Glasnow (RHP); #8/100 prospect, #1 in organization, profiles as a #1 or #2 starter. Will start 2017 in AAA or MLB. #5 Pirates (if not willing to trade Glasnow) -Nick Kingham (RHP); #8 in organization; profiles as a #3 or #4 starter; will start 2017 in MLB or AAA. -Elias Diaz ©; #7 in organization; floor is backup catcher, ceiling a solid starter; will start 2017 in A ball. -Mitch Keller (RHP); #72/100 overall; #5 in organization; profiles as mid-rotation starter; will start 2017 at high A or AA. I think with a Dozier trade you need to get as many of the following things back in return: 1) a SP who can help immediately 2) a SP who can help longterm (ideally this also covers #1) 3) any catching prospect - at least depth & might work out 4) depth SP prospects (profiles as #4 or #5 starter) Would you pull the trigger on these trades? Which ones?

I think it would be smart to package Adam Brett Walker in one of this off-season's trades. Potentially a Dozier or Ervin trade. He's still a highly enough ranked prospect to draw some attention/entice a team who wants to dream of his 60 power. But he's 25 and, while offensively he's done pretty well, he's a really, really poor defender in the corner outfield. DH/1B is packed with, frankly, better talent, Palka is a better solid hitting prospect who's also more ready, and I have a feeling Falvey/Levine won't consider him too valuable of a prospect with his inability to play OF defense at the major league level. I just feels like a good time to get something out of him before he totally falls out of the Twins plans. Wonder if other teams will value him at all.

I would ask for: 1) Jose De Leon, RHP #32 overall, profiles as a #2, made 4 starts at MLB last year (MLB/AAA 2017) 2) Yadier Alvarez, RHP #91 overall. I think aiming for someone like De Leon, despite the higher asking price, is important because he can help the club in 2017. They're not going to want to trade Dozier without getting a solid piece back that can help immediately or almost immediately. I would pull this trade in a heartbeat.

Cornerstones: Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Polanco (at 2b after they trade Dozier, not at SS) Solid pieces: Rosario, Escobar, May (hoping for a successful transition back to starting), Vargas, Chargois, Duffey (not starting, can be dominant in bullpen) Potential near-future difference makers: Gonsalves, Gordon, Jay, Stewart Potential near-future solid pieces: Mejia, Reed, Burdi, Hildenberger, Palka, Garver, Light I've only included players that I believe have a future with the team that extends the next two years (i.e. no Ervin Santana, no Joe Mauer)

2017 opening day rotation: Ervin Santana Jose Berrios Hector Santiago Kyle Gibson (Tyler Duffey, Trevor May, Adalberto Mejia) Now let's DFA/waiver trade Tommy Milone so we can use his spot to give other potential options an early tryout for the 2017 rotation. Try Wheeler right now while we stretch out May and fix Duffey. Bring Mejia up after he strings together 5 or so good starts in Rochester. Give Duffey another chance after working things out in the bullpen. Let's see how May responds to converting back into a starter. (Not that everything should be based on the last few months) but ideally a couple of them pitch well for the rest of the season - or we at least learn something to help us better evaluate our pitching staff. Maybe we can look to move Santana, Santiago or Gibson this offseason to strengthen our pitching depth.

I think the Rangers system matches up much better for what Antony will look for in a Santana trade. RHP Luis Ortiz and LHP Yohander Mendez are both bottom-half top 100 prospects with success at AA. RHP Ariel Jurado is a lower-ranked prospect but has pitched well at AA too. They've also got a couple A-ball catching prospects, Jose Trevino and David Garcia, ranked #25 and #27 in their system respectively who could potentially be added to a deal.

Based on what Antony's been saying it seems to me like he won't move Santana unless the Twins can get at least one or two guys who can help the team in 2016 or 2017 - like the Nuñez for Mejia move. The problem then with the Blue Jays system is that, among their top 30 prospects, they don't have a single starting pitching prospect who's reached AAA and they only have one who's reached AA (Connor Greene, #8 overall). There could be some good potential match-ups for a Abad/Kintzler trade...but I think Antony is going to need a few options that are closer to the majors to move Santana.

What would you guys think of this potential trade? Ervin Santana to the Rangers for RHP Luis Ortiz. 20 year old RHP in AA. Top 100 prospect (#63 overall) and Rangers #4 prospect. He's had a few injury problems but profiles as a #2. Rangers need starting pitching help at least in the short term. I'd think that if you could get a guy who profiles as a 1 or 2, you'd have to go for it. And, part of the benefit in trading Santana is the spot it opens up in the rotation to ensure that Berrios, Duffey, May have a spot. I'd be totally happy with a 2017 of Berrios, Duffey, May, Gibson, and either Nolasco/Hughes. Moving towards playoffs in 2018 with a rotation of Berrios, Duffey, May, Gibson, and whoever emerges first of Gonsalves, Stewart, Jorge, Jay.

Totally agree. Hoping that Buxton sitting two days in a row (yesterday, and not in the lineup today) doesn't mean he'll be sent down once May is activated. If the Twins DFA Milone again after tomorrow's start, that buy them a little time before making a roster move. Just hope the Twins are smart enough to roll with an outfield of Rosario, Buxton, Kepler for the rest of the season.

1. Byron Buxton CF 2. Jorge Polanco 2B 3. Joe Mauer 1B 4. Miguel Sano 3B 5. Max Kepler RF 6. Byung Ho Park DH 7. Eddie Rosario LF 8. John Ryan Murphy C 9. Eduardo Escobar SS I think Dozier's an off-season trade candidate and I'm holding out that Buxton has a solid second half. I don't think the Twins need to look FA position players really. Maybe a utility infielder if Nuñez and Dozier are traded before opening day. The main problems with the lineup this year had to with the effects of Sano playing out of position and too many guys taking bad at-bats. Hopefully with a lot of the season left to play, the young guys can get some experience. Besides, our win-loss record has a lot to do with having literally the worst pitching staff in the league.

Since Hughes and Nolasco are pretty untradeable right now, I think a Santana trade is really going to be important to give chances in the 2017 rotation to the right guys. Here's how I'd like to see it shake out: Second half of 2016: I'd love to see May back starting but it might not be smart to put him in a starting role this late in the season. Especially with the injuries he's sad as a reliever. Have May finish the year as a reliever and get him ready to come in as a starter at Spring Training. That leaves a rotation of: Gibson, Nolasco, Duffey, Berrios (in no particular order). With the last spot I'd use a revolving door of Dean, Wheeler, Darnell, Milone, a waiver pick-up, whoever, might as well see what we've got with a couple of these guys and maybe Tommy can finish the year strong and be an offseason trade candidate. If Dean, Wheeler, Darnell do okay, it would be nice to consider them at least replacement-level depth in the event of an injury in early 2017. First half of 2017: I don't think we can count on Hughes at all. Since his injury is so unique/hard to come back from, for the purpose of this post, I'm not going to consider him at all for 2017. That leaves a rotation of: Gibson, May, Duffey, Berrios, Nolasco. Nolasco's done fine this year, especially compared to others in the rotation. Let him start the year and see what happens. Maybe we can trade him at the trade deadline. Maybe he's horrible and in the last year of his contract we DFA him. Second half of 2017: By this point, I'd like to see Nolasco out of the picture. Even if he's doing fine as a 5th starter, he's not going to be part of the winning Twins teams of (hopefully) the very near future. By this point let's roll with a rotation of: Gibson, May, Duffey, Berrios, and whoever emerges first out of Gonsalves or Stewart. This should set us up for a solid 2018 opening day rotation with some solid experience under their belt.

There is absolutely no chance Miguel Sano is an opening day outfielder. No chance. Plouffe will be traded a few days after the Twins reach a deal with Park. This leaves an outfield of: Rosario (RF), Buxton (CF), Arcia (LF) with Danny Santana as your 4th outfielder until around June when Kepler comes up, takes Arcia's spot in LF. Arcia stays on as a rotational DH when Mauer needs a day off and provides a much-needed PH bat for the late-innings. The Twins want Buxton to take the CF job and, even if his bat isn't quite ready, I think they'll take his high upside, plus plus defense, and plus plus speed over a temporary fix through FA or Shane Robinson. Also, it would be a hard-sell to try and get a FA CF to sign with the Twins knowing the #1 prospect in baseball is on his heels. Opening Day Lineup: 1. Buxton CF (They'll at least start him here) 2. Dozier 2B 3. Mauer 1B 4. Sano 3B 5. Park DH 6. Arcia LF 7. Rosario RF 8. Suzuki C 9. Escobar SS Mid-Season Lineup: 1. Buxton CF 2. Dozier 2B 3. Mauer 1B 4. Sano 3B 5. Park DH 6. Rosario RF 7. Kepler LF 8. Murphy C 9. Escobar SS

I would be happy with this, for sure. One problem I see here is that I don't think Tommy Milone will have success in a bullpen role. He is a low-velocity, pitch-to-contact type pitcher. So, unless this is a long relief role, I don't think it's a good idea. And, even if it is a long relief role, I think we can get more value back trading him than holding on to him in relief role. Instead of Milone here, I would put Ryan Pressly. He was having a strong year before his injury and, unlike many of the 2015 Twins bullpen arms, he's got a lot of upside. As long as he's not your 8th or 9th inning guy, he's a great option to have in the bullpen. Another problem is see is that I can't imagine the Twins going to an 11-man pitching staff. I would like them to, but I don't see that happening, especially with the shakiness of the bullpen. On the pitching staff, I think you add either Michael Tonkin or Casey Fien. Tonkin finished 2015 strong and has the velocity and K/9 rate to have success in the big leagues. Fien has had success in the past and, if he's not used in a 7th, 8th, 9th inning role, he could definitely find that success again. There a couple changes you could make to the bench to make this happen. ---Option 1: If Santana can learn to play a pasable 3rd base (which seems possible since he was air-mailing a lot of his throws from short this year), then we drop Nuñez from the bench. Santana covers 2nd, SS, 3rd and Vargas covers 1st when starters need days off. ---Option 2: If we need Nuñez for his ability to play 3rd, I think we drop Robinson. Since the starting outfield laid out above would be Rosario, Hicks, and De Aza, we don't necessarily need our 4th outfielder to be speed and defense focused. Instead, we could go with Arcia as the 4th outfielder who would be able to add a power bat late in the game. And knowing that Danny Santana can come in a play late inning defense for Arcia if needed, this looks like a good option. Plus, knowing that Buxton, Kepler, Walker are just around the corner... Shane Robinson's spot on the 25 man roster would be short-lived. My vote for this move would be to add Michael Tonkin and drop Shane Robinson.

1. Byron Buxton 2. Jose Berrios 3. Max Kepler 4. Tyler Jay 5. Nick Gordon

Yes, trade Plouffe. Trading Plouffe can be the beginning to fixing the problems with the Twins bullpen. In my mind, here are 4 moves I think the Twins should make this offseason: 1. Trade Plouffe for a solid SU reliever, a young RP pitcher with high upside, and a B or C level prospect. SU reliever fills either the 7th or 8th inning role complimenting Jepsen and Perkins, young RP pitcher will eventually be a above average or elite set-up man, prospect is a coin flip. 2. Sign a free agent left-handed relief pitcher. With this move, our bullpen could be: Perkins, Jepsen, (SU acquired in Plouffe trade), (2nd RP acquired in Plouffe trade), (free agent LHP), and a combo of Casey Fein, Michael Tonkin, and Ryan Pressly. That looks much improved to me. 3. Trade prospects for an elite catching prospect currently at the AA or AAA level. Maybe Willson Contreras (since the Cubs already have a logjam at the catching position with Montero and Schwarber) or Austin Barnes (since the Dodgers also have no room for him behind Yasmani Grandal). I think a package starting with Kohl Stewart, Jorge Polanco, or maybe even...and I'm a little hesitant about this but it would likely take a top 100 prospect... Tyler Jay, could work. We could also send off someone like Tommy Milone or Eduardo Nunez (Milone getting back more) and get back a reliever and a B level prospect. 4. Sign a LH free agent catcher to spell Suzuki to a 1 or 2 year deal. Suzuki playing closer to 80 games than 130 will almost undoubtedly increase his production.. Maybe AJ Pierzynski, Brayan Pena (switch hitting), or Jarrod Saltalamacchia (switch hitting). This will hopefully be a cheaper, more realistic (can't see the Twins signing Weiters) option for catcher this year. Idea is that the catching prospect acquired in move 3 will be ready to help in 2016 or by 2017.

Cleveland could be one of the teams in the market for a 3rd baseman. I'm just trying something out here... Twins trade to Indians: Trevor Plouffe 3B Taylor Rodgers LHP Indians trade to Twins: Zach McAllister RHRP Francisco Mejia C (Cleveland's #11 prospect) Luke Wakamatsu SS (Cleveland's #17 prospect) Why the Twins pull the trigger? -McAllister could help out right away in the pen. -Mejia is a few years away but looks to be an offensive upgrade over Stuart Turner. If the Twins can get through 2016 with Suzuki and a one year free-agent veteran signing, Mejia could be ready to take over by 2017. Mejia is also not one of Cleveland's top-10 prospects so it seems more likely they could trade him away. -Wakamatsu is a good, not elite prospect. Could provide some depth. Especially if the Twins trade away Polanco this offseason. And also if Gordon doesn't develop as quickly as the Twins hope. Could also be a solid utility infield option. -The twins do not lose any of their top 10 prospects. Why the Indians pull the trigger? -Their current third baseman, Urshella is struggling (hitting just .225 with a .600 ops), the Indians could look to upgrade at this position and Plouffe would undoubtedly be an upgrade over Urshella. -Taylor Rodgers looks to be an MLB ready arm that could help in Cleveland's rotation. -The Indians have a lot of solid shortstop prospects in their system (4 ranked in top 30) and with Francisco Lindor taking over the job - presumably - long term, they can afford to trade away of some of their prospects here. -They do not lose any of their top 10 prospects.

This is what I see happening in a possible WC game... 1. Buxton (v. RHP) or Hicks (v. LHP) CF 2. Dozier 2B 3. Mauer 1B (Mauer has been very clutch in RISP and I don't see them moving him from his #3 spot) 4. Sano DH 5. Plouffe 3B 6. Rosario LF 7. Hunter RF (Zero chance they aren't playing Hunter in a possible playoff game) 8. Suzuki C 9. Escobar SS PH/PR/Defensive Upgrade option: Hicks or Buxton PH: Vargas PR/UTIL: Nuñez PR/UTIL: Robinson (I really don't see the Twins getting rid of Robinson or Nuñez guys so late) C: Hermann (will need for when PH for Suzuki) *I would like to see Kepler up here, but I don't see it happening in time. SP: Hughes (if healthy) starts a WC game; if not I think you go with Gibson Other SP (who can be put in if Hughes/Gibson doesn't look good after the first couple innings): Duffey, Milone MRP (exclusive LOOGY role): O'Rourke MRP: Cotts MRP: Boyer (could be really solid again if used in correct role and after getting some rest on the DL) MRP: Fien SU: May SU: Jepsen C: Perkins Bullpen could be really sold if SP can at least go 5 or 6 solid innings and Moliter/Allen use them in their correct roles. (And I'm pretty sure you don't have to include a Rule 5 pick (Graham) on playoff roster. Right?)