Byron Buxton Carted Off Field During Twins Scrimmage

[yarnivek1972]

A different thought, and players can get hurt in any position, but should Buxton be shifted to a corner to reduce the opportunities for the kamikaze?

He doesn’t hit enough to justify playing a corner spot.

 

We’re still talking about a guy with a career OPS + of 87 in 1300 plus MLB PA.

 

His only value is in playing plus plus defense in CF.

[Darius]

Bullet dodged for now.

[h2oface]

 

He doesn’t hit enough to justify playing a corner spot.

We’re still talking about a guy with a career OPS + of 87 in 1300 plus MLB PA.

His only value is in playing plus plus defense in CF.

 

I don't see plus plus defense in CF as his only value. I also don't see his true value reflected by the sum of his stat totals so far. Not even close. I don't think the team, or his teammates do, either. Plus, it is to early to assign too much of anything to this injury, as we don't know what it is yet.

[Darius]

I don't see plus plus defense in CF as his only value. I also don't see his true value reflected by the sum of his stat totals so far. Not even close. I don't think the team, or his teammates do, either. Plus, it is to early to assign too much of anything to this injury, as we don't know what it is yet.

I completely agree with this.

 

He’s not Billy Hamilton for crying out loud. Some want you to think that. He was the number 1 prospect in all of baseball being compared to Mike Trout in AA a few years ago....lets take a deep breath.

 

We saw him absolutely crush the ball in the fall of 2017 (which worked him into the top 20 in MVP voting). We saw him hit the ball very well last year (.827 OPS, 114 OPS+, .513 slugging, 10 HR, 14 SB, 48 runs, 46 RBI, and led the league in doubles for a significant portion of around 300 plate appearances). Between that time he’s been injured, had his approach screwed with by coaches, etc. When he’s on base, he’s a nightmare. Any opposing pitcher will tell you that. He’s already shown his value offensively at the major league level.

 

I get people are frustrated with injuries, but some of the statements made are just ridiculous. He has zero value offensively? Nobody that follows the Twins and knows baseball can legitimately believe that’s true. If so, you haven’t looked at the stats. In 2016 he put up 1.5 oWAR in 330 PAs, in 2017 2.7 oWAR in 511 PAs, in 2019 2.1 WAR in 295 PAs. His only negative or neutral value oWAR seasons were 2015 (-0.2 in 138 PAs) and 2018 (-0.6 in 94 PAs). Offensive runs above replacement? -2 in 2015, 15 in 2016, 27 in 2017, -5 in 2018, 21 in 2019 (relate to PAs above). Clearly, a valuable offensive player when in the field. Borderline All-Star offensive player in CF for multiple years extrapolating over full seasons, with no consideration to defense at all.

 

We saw the same thing regarding Sano. Very few rational fans were still giving the guy a shot after injury plagued seasons.

[wabene]

I'm going Celestino again! Somebody said he was major league ready in the field. If so we know his bat is not ready but we don't know if he will get hot anyway. Let Kepler only play center part time and put in Celestino here and there, voila! We got a big enough bench

[mikelink45]

 

I am sure what is gonna happen is Kepler will play center, Rosario will move to right, and Gonzalez becomes the regular left fielder. They have a ton of flexibility but i think we all know the second best cf in the entire organization is still Kepler. (many would be surprised to learn Rosario is 3rd). This is not the end of the world and it doesn't mean Lewis is going to he rushed to the major league roster. If Buxton is not ready by opening day the replacement will be Gonzalez though he won't be in cf. No reason to freak out.

I am freaking out if Marwin starts in the OF at all.  He is replacement level no matter how versatile he is.  Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade are better and Kiriloff deserves the next spot. 

 

[Channing1964]

I am freaking out if Marwin starts in the OF at all.  He is replacement level no matter how versatile he is.  Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade are better and Kiriloff deserves the next spot.

 

Well I can tell you for sure that for at least the 2020 abbreviated season while Gonzalez is under contract, Gonzalez is the primary corner outfield back up.

[big dog]

Buxton wasn't the only one in distress. Me too.

[TFRazor]

 

I would actually try for no nickname that is meant in any kind of demeaning manner, or could be taken a such.

God forbid anyone impute softness. May hurt his feelings.

[yarnivek1972]

Update from Rocco Baldelli:

 

https://twitter.com/mlbnetworkradio/status/1283084193413632002?s=21

 

So, has there been any hint as to when he will be back on the field?