Home Run Derby

[nicksaviking]

So is Buxton going to get snubbed? Did he decline? Or is it still TBD?

With two guys who have fewer HR than Buxton already getting spots for the AL (Rameriz and Rodriguez) and the only two guys ahead of Buxton in HR total not accounted for (Judge and Trout), it would seem he already either declined, or was not asked.

I’d be more than fine if he declined. I’d likely be perturbed if he wasn’t a top four choice.

[big dog]

I believe he declined. 

[Musk21]

From Doogie:

“Byron Buxton was asked to participate in the home run derby… and he has turned it down. The way it was described to me, not necessarily worried about his swing getting all #*%$* up. Moreso, why put your body at risk? Why take massive swing after massive swing? It’s just not worth it. He wants to be on the field for the Twins. And the knee is not close to 100%. Now, it’s not 50%, but we know the knee isn’t close to 100%.”

[chpettit19]

I'd have a problem with him taking all those swings in the timed derby when he can't even play CF everyday for the Twins cuz of his knee. I'll actually have a problem if he plays the OF in the game. If you can't play for your actual team without needing DH and rest days you shouldn't be playing in an exhibition game. And I'm a supporter (although a frustrated one) of the way they've used him to keep him on the field. He's got a handful of days off and to me they should be used to get his knee as healthy as possible going into the second half of the season.

[ChermesZ]

13 hours ago, big dog said:

I believe he declined. 

Probably for the best.  As much as we would all love to see him on the big stage, the season and his health is far too important.

[nicksaviking]

Yeah, I'm glad he declined. I much prefer he was the jilter, not the jiltee.

[Trov]

I personally wish he would just turn it down all together.  I do not know his medicals, but if we can get him 5 days of full rest maybe that will help his knee for us.  Maybe it will not do much, but why do we rest him 1 out of every 3 games or so, with DH half of the games he seems to play, only to have him take 1 or 2 at bats in a pointless game?