Neal: Here are five Twins newcomers worth keeping an eye on

I enjoy my Friday appearances with former Strib columnist Dan Barreiro on KFAN. During my most recent visit, following the Twins’ salary dump last week, Barreiro needled me about recreating our “Silver Linings” preview section from 2013 when we tried to put a positive spin on a 96-loss team from the previous year.

I laughed it off. But I began thinking. The Twins are threatening to return to rock-bottom baseball. And 2026 looks like a reset year. Maybe we will have to update that 2013 preview.

Then I thought some more: Why wait until next spring?

I was on board with some moves, like getting out from under Carlos Correa’s bad contract. I disagree with moving both Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. And why deal Louie Varland when he’s under control until 2031?

The Twins enacted one of the most complete teardowns in baseball history, but they received some intriguing players in these deals. Here are a few who stand out to me.

1. Taj Bradley, RHP: It was just a couple of years ago that Bradley was the top prospect in the Rays organization, which is saying something. The arm is live, with a fastball that sits around 96 miles per hour. He also has 67 major league starts at age 24, being unhittable at times, very hittable at others. The Twins are going to see if they can refine his secondary pitches at Class AAA St. Paul but plan to call him up soon.

2. Mick Abel, RHP: He debuted this season with Philadelphia after improving his command, but he still has a ways to go in that category. He throws five pitches, including a curveball that misses bats. He will get some starts with the Twins this season as well.

4. Eduardo Tait, C: The Twins needed a catching prospect, although Tait is just 18 years old. Great power potential. Strong arm behind the plate. I asked a club official if he can stick behind the plate or will have to be moved. “Slam dunk catcher,” was the response.

5. Alan Roden, OF: Roden, 25, hasn’t hit for much power but has been a high-average, high on-base player in the minors. The Twins have some corner outfield prospects closing in on the majors, so Roden, the only newcomer that was brought right to the Twins rather than the minor leagues, needs to impress sooner than later. But, boy, can the Twins use a bat.

The Twins are a mess. But they could be better off in the near future if they are right about these prospects and the others they received following their roster teardown.

Trade trees are fun to follow, just to track the ripple effect of how one deal leads to another.

In this case, the Twins’ acquisitions of Abel and Tait from Philadelphia has been 25 years in the making.

Escobar came to the Twins from the White Sox in 2012, along with terrible lefthander Pedro Hernandez, for Francisco Liriano.

Liriano came to the Twins in the lopsided A.J. Pierzynski trade in November 2003. Joe Nathan, the best closer in club history, and Boof Bonser, who started a playoff game for the Twins, came with him.

That’s plenty of rings on that tree. But don’t forget why Pierzynski was dealt: Joe Mauer was drafted in 2001 and was ready to begin a Hall of Fame career two years later.

How about one more story about Hulk Hogan, the wrestling legend who died July 24 at age 71?

This one has a loose baseball connection.

The night of Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, the Loon was overloaded following Kirby Puckett’s heroics. There was a line down First Avenue to get in. But then someone called looking for owner Tim Mahoney. It was Mean Gene.

“Timmy!” he screamed into the phone. “I’m out front with Todd [his son] and the Hulkster!”

Mahoney had his security let them in.

“They walked in like it was a championship fight.” Mahoney said. “Mean Gene was in front, Hulkster had his hands on Gene’s shoulders and Todd had his hands on Hogan’s.

“The place was already crazy. Then it exploded. He tore his T-shirt — his classic move — and people went wild.”

Rest in peace, Hulkster.

• The Lynx will trade for a post player before Thursday’s WNBA trade deadline as they build up to topple the defending champion New York Liberty.