I definitely wouldn't trade McNally for Horton, particularly in Shea.  If Horton can't homer profusely his value is very low.  Cuellar for Killebrew isn't really worth considering either; Cuellar still has virtually all of his value left, whereas Killer has burned through a lot of his by now and will be up and down for a few more years before fizzling out.  I think it's pretty obvious that Palmer is your first pick.  Not only do I like him a little bit more than Carlton and quite a bit more than Hunter (or Niekro, whom you left out completely), but you're putting him back together with McNally and Cuellar.  You just need to add Dobson and you can try to recreate the 4 20-game winners achieved by that staff.  After this it's a tossup for me between Carlton and Morgan.  Morgan is an OL dud, but he's a progressive stud.  He'll get a lot done and I can see why you'd lean towards him rather than adding a 4th top-tier pitcher.  That said, Carlton is a great pitcher in progs.  The other option, of course, is to see what you could get in trade for the pick.  I would probably shop the #1 overall and tell yourself you're ok with taking Carlton instead of Palmer depending on whom the other guy prefers.  See if you can get a couple of useful players.  Given how very few good players you have right now it might be one of those very rare times in a progressive where quantity is worth more to you than quality, and given that the reverse is true for most other teams they may well be willing to overpay for one of those aces at the top of the draft.

Agreed.  Trade down from #1 if you can, take Morgan #2.  You have a nice start to your rotation, adding the bat is the priority.  If for some ungodly reason, you couldn't move the #1, (I can't see that happening, but who knows) or if the team taking that #1 were to swipe Morgan from you, (also relatively unlikely)  I'd take Carlton over Palmer.  Moving down about 3 to 5 picks puts you in line for Tony Perez, Rico Petrocelli, or Paul Blair.

If it were me, I would take Palmer and Carlton.  With that 4 man rotation you will be a contender every year for 10 years+.  If you wanna trade one of them I would take Palmer #1 as I feel he is the clear top choice - and then trade the #2 overall - you could get a lot imo.  

I would also take Palmer & Carlton. With Cuellar you're set for a decade. McNally also gives you a couple of solid years of having four great starters. The '65 draft is very deep, you'll be able to fill in your offense with guys like Cleon Jones, Horace Clarke, Don Kessinger, Curt Blefary, Mickey Stanley, & Duke Sims with your 2nd and 3rd round picks... 

If the league allows, I'd offer up my '66 2nd and 3rd for another 2nd in '65. Take Palmer & Carlton, and then guys like Clarke, Kessinger, or Jones with the two 2nds and then Stanley or Sims with your your 3rd (assuming your 3rd is a top 3 pick in the round).

That will give you a rotation to die for and that will allow you to not need much offense to win right off the bat, while also allowing you to build an offense over a period of time so you can have a dynasty. The best part is, you'll also likely be able to get a guy like Larry Gura come the '70 draft who will just hit his stride when your other starters start to slow down, allowing you to continue to primarily focus on just drafting hitters (or trading future picks for hitters) for a decade plus. It won't be but another season or two before you're competing with that rotation, and within 3-5 years you'll be a perennial WS favorite.

I would take Carlton over Palmer, but let's say you won't go wrong with either Carlton, Palmer or Hunter from 1965. 

I agree with most here: one of the two picks should definitely be Morgan. He will take a little while to be great, but 2B is not easy to fill and he is the best from the late 60s or early 70s on, and in any case is good before then.

Hang on to Cuellar for dear life: he gets really good just at the same time Koufax retires - next season. So you will get all his good years. 

The reason im thinking palmer & morgan is ill prbably have a high pick next season and can probably get another stud pitcher in 65 or 66

just4me - exactly the way i was thinking, I like Horace Clarke @2B ive always had luck with him,Cleon Jones as well. But if i pass on Joe Morgan it just seems ridiculous! very tough decision.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE INPUT !!!

This is a good point you make.  If you wind up with a top 2 pick again in '66 you can get Fergie Jenkins or Don Sutton, but there are no hitters remotely of the caliber of Morgan.  If you're still a high(ish) pick in '68, though, that draft is absolutely loaded with bats.

If you are likely to have a top pick in '66 as well, I'd prolly then go Palmer and Morgan, and then Sutton or Jenkins in '66. But '65 is one of this drafts you can really rebuild with, so I'd still probably try to trade for another '65 2nd to grab a couple of those other better than your usual second round talent this draft offers. 

the reason I Palmer is better than Carlton imo - is 1) Palmer is a righty. Righties just perform better in the sim.  Sure there are the exceptions, and Carlton will definitely pitch great, but in my experience, aside from maybe Seaver, Palmer is the top pitcher in the 70's.  2) Carlton has a ton of good seasons, but he is only GREAT in 72, and then in the 80's.  Thats a long time of waiting.  In the J4MS I started with the Cardinals and one of the first moves I made (after trading Mike Torrez for Sam McDowell) was trading Carlton for Hunter and a 1st.  Palmer has consistant GREAT seasons every season (except maybe 1-2 years), but he deals every other year.  I just sent 2 first rounders for him and cuellar in 75...75!!! (Palmer is 22-8 with a 2.02 ERA (if my bullpen didn't have 15 blown saves both he and Hunter would be at 30 wins already.

Build with pitching and defense.  

Palmer and Morgan. 

Why Palmer over Carlton?  Because K's are not valued properly in the sim, and because LHP tend to under achieve in the sim.  

Why Morgan?  Best 2b of his era, locks in a difficult position for a decade. Palmer, Cueller, and McNally are great 1-2-3 punches, do you really need a #4?  Also, if you are serious about winding up in the lottery again next year, then Sutton/Jenkins is not a bad place to be. 

Now, if you are CONFIDENT in your trading ability, then it's Palmer and Carlton, and then trade Carlton.  You should get a great return on him.  I'd want 2#1 picks and an everyday starter for 4-5 years in a position of need.