It's Time to End the Byron Buxton Experiment at Designated Hitter

[Matthew Taylor]

The Minnesota Twins came into the 2023 season with a clear plan for keeping Byron Buxton healthy — make him the everyday designated hitter. While Buxton has indeed stayed healthy, this experiment has not been a successful one.

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

When he’s healthy, Byron Buxton is one of the best players in all of baseball. In an effort to keep him healthy, the Minnesota Twins traded for Michael A. Taylor this offseason and made Buxton the everyday designated hitter. While this has worked from a health standpoint (Byron is currently tied for the team lead in games played), the plan has been a net negative for the Twins.

The first reason why the Byron Buxton experiment at designated hitter needs to end is because Buxton’s bat just hasn’t been successful enough to be taking up the designated hitter spot every day. On the season, Buxton has a .771 OPS (113 OPS+), which would be his lowest number at the plate since 2017. The American League average OPS at the designated hitter position this season is .742. While Buxton has been better than the average designated hitter in the American League, there are still six teams that have gotten better production at the DH position than what Buxton has provided for the Twins this year.

Aside from poor overall performance, Byron Buxton has shown a propensity to fall into deep, deep slumps at plate. In April, Buxton went through a 15 game stretch where he hit .170 with 23 strikeouts and six walks, and he is currently going through a twenty game stretch in which he’s hit .162 with just four extra base hits. Slumps you simply cannot afford to have from your designated hitter.

A domino effect by Buxton playing the role of full-time DH is that Michael A. Taylor has become an everyday player at center field for the Twins. In fact, MAT is tied with Byron Buxton for the team lead in games played this season. While an excellent fielder, Taylor has been a below-average to bad hitter for his entire career. This season has been his worst. On the season, Michael A. Taylor has posted a .633 OPS with a miserable 53/7 K/BB ratio. What’s worse is that includes Taylor’s better-than-usual performance at the plate in April. Since the calendar turned to May, MAT owns a .498 OPS with 21 strikeouts compared to just three walks and just three extra base hits.

Michael A. Taylor as a fourth outfielder and backup center fielder is an excellent weapon. Michael A. Taylor as your everyday center fielder and leading your team in games played, while your offense sputters day after day is an absolute disaster, and it’s a direct result of Byron Buxton being locked into the designated hitter position.

Finally, Byron Buxton being locked in as the everyday designated hitter costs the Minnesota Twins a tremendous amount of lineup flexibility by not allowing other players to cycle through the position. With a locked-in designated hitter, the Twins are unable to give guys regular days off without sitting on the bench, they’re unable to keep guys like Matt Wallner up with the big league club, and they’re unable to stack an additional platoon hitter into the lineup. It’s also fair to wonder if injuries to players like Carlos Correa, Jorge Polanco and Joey Gallo could have been prevented if there was a designated hitter spot to give guys a break.

Taking Byron Buxton out of the full-time designated hitter spot and moving him back out to center field is undeniably a risk. If Byron Buxton were putting up Nelson Cruz-level production at the plate, the conversation would be different, but the reality is that the Twins are suffering at the plate night after night, with the designated hitter position being an easy way to generate more offense. The Twins could certainly still shuffle Buxton through the DH spot a couple of times a week, but we need to end the Byron Buxton experiment as a full-time designated hitter.

Do you think it's time to take Byron Buxton out of the designated hitter spot and move him into the outfield? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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[Mike Sixel]

They would if they thought it was a good idea. Clearly they don't. 

[GKuehl]

I can’t help but agree. The plan seemed great when Buxton had a .900 OPS — but it doesn’t make sense if he’s going to be a solid but not great hitter. 

I wonder if his deep slumps this year are in part a product of DHing. When things aren’t going well, all he can do is sit in the dugout and think about his previous at bat, whereas in CF he can still contribute even after a bad AB or game. 

[Schmoeman5]

Is it time to end the Buxton DH experiment? Yes. Will the Twins end the experiment. No. The only way the experiment ends is Buxton going down and they're forced to.

[adorduan]

If the Twins are ever going to seriously challenge for a championship, they need to extract more value from contracts that what they are paying. Buxton needs to play in the field, even at the risk of injury. Him just DHing doesn't move the needle enough. They need to put him in CF and let the chips fall where they may....

 

[Joey Self]

I don't know why I thought this--probably read it on the Internet somewhere, which means it must be true--but I was under the impression that Buxton at DH was an April thing.   I thought at least part of the money he was getting was for his glovework as well as his hitting. 

JcS

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Should the Twins end the Buxton DH experiment? The front office will have to run that idea past Carlos Correa

https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-correa-convinced-byron-buxton-to-be-twins-dh

[stringer bell]

42 minutes ago, GKuehl said:

I can’t help but agree. The plan seemed great when Buxton had a .900 OPS — but it doesn’t make sense if he’s going to be a solid but not great hitter. 

I wonder if his deep slumps this year are in part a product of DHing. When things aren’t going well, all he can do is sit in the dugout and think about his previous at bat, whereas in CF he can still contribute even after a bad AB or game. 

I'd bet a large virtual sum that a healthy Buxton will again to an elite hitter at some point in the future. There is innate streakiness in him and his approach and right now he's in a valley (or maybe a well). So, if all you're waiting for is Buck to be elite, just wait. 

The larger questions do remain. Is the club better off with Buxton playing at least part-time in center field? Can he stay healthy doing so? What is the condition of his knee (and hip)? 

I've said it before and I'll say it again--I'd love to see the 2021 version of Buxton (who lasted only 61 games) for as long as he could go. He'd easily be one of the top 5 players in MLB and might do more WOW things than anyone. I lament that that will probably never happen. They've put curb feelers on a Lamborghini and I see little prospect of that changing.

[swendel1970]

Buxton as a full time DH negates his greatest talent.  He’s barely above leave average as a DH.  He needs to be in CF at least 3 games per week.  Play Taylor against lefties and Kepler in CF otherwise.

[twins_89]

If the Twins offense was doing well, continuing to Play Buxton at DH might make sense. With the offense consistently struggling, I don't think the team can afford to continue the experiment. Neither Buxton nor Taylor have hit enough to justify their current roles.

[Flyover Steve]

Hard to disagree with the glaring flaws of the plan that you rightly point out. Only thing is he’s not healthy enough to play CF. I was at the last game vs Blue Jays and Buxton could barely jog to first base on one of his groundouts. Many similar reports both this year and last season of people talking about how he looks like he can barely walk at times. Weird that he’s even playing, really. Only realistic option is DH or IL. 

[Tibs]

On top of all of these points, Byron Buxton is a former Platinum Glove winner at CF. The team and lineup overall are simply worse with Buxton/Taylor locked in at DH/CF

[Twodogs]

To me, part of Buxton's overall value is his ability to change the game from the defensive side of the game.  So I really believe the twins wouldn't have signed Buck to a long term deal as a DH only.  So when Buxton was struggling at the plate, he would always provide value on defense.  Now that's not happening so as a result people are looking at him as flawed.  Or negatively affecting the game sometimes.  Whereas in the past he could hit and when he wasn't he was still positively affecting the game.  That can't happen DHing 6 times a week.

[gman]

Should the Twins end the Buxton DH experiment? If you ask Chicago and Cleveland fans, the answer is no. If you ask Twins fans, the answer is yes.

As a long time Twins fan, I would split the difference. Play him 3 times a week in the outfield. Will he get injured? Yes. I am not sure he isn't injured now. When you see him run hard and slide, he is anything but the graceful athlete he was just a couple of years ago. At 29 you wouldn't think he should have lost it already, but something clearly isn't right with him. Maybe his knee didn't heal right from off season surgery or maybe they found more damage then was spoken of.

All speculation. But as a team trying to win a division and hopefully a championship, sometimes you have to do whats best in the long run. I think that's fewer but more complete games with Buxton hitting and fielding.

[High heat]

I think health wise Buxton can’t play CF.  

Not that he can’t get up and go but watching him stop and after he gets up and goes he is in obvious pain. 
 

He either needs a IL stint and a reevaluation of his injury and treatment or worst case he is now our DH for the next 6 yrs.  

I truly believe he will be a DH only until late August early September.  If the Twins are in contention they will give him a cordazone shot in the knee and work him back into CF the last 4 to 6 weeks and have him grind it out through the playoffs as the CFer. 
 

The fix in the mean time is the twins need to tell Kepler if he wants to stay on this team he needs to get his at bats in CF.  Kepler and Taylor split time in CF opening RF. 
 

 

[Nashvilletwin]

Ok, now nobody get mad. I’m just asking a couple of simple, hypothetical questions assuming BB will never play CF again. I’m not advocating anything - just touching the proverbial third rail for kick’s sake.  

1. Is BB worth his contract and/or his place on the roster given his seemingly only possible role (i.e. everyday DH) and the likelihood that his overall health will never likely improve much and could, if not will, probably continue to deteriorate over time? 

2. Could BB be traded for “value” given his contract and limited role? What might his value in the trade market be? Is it worth considering given our small/mid-market franchise (i.e. can we really afford him in his role/does that really make good baseball sense)?

 

[FlyingFinn]

Yes, we should play Buxton in CF. If he's not healthy enough to play there, let's put him on the IL and get him healthy enough. He's also blocking some of our good hitters who struggle in the field from playing - Wallner (who is on one of his hot streaks), Julien, and Miranda (who has 5 or 6 hits in his last three games and may be turning things around). Right now, it feels like we have MAT in CF and MAT at DH. Buxton's slump is probably due to injury so let him get healthy and get another healthy bat in the lineup.

[Vanimal46]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

They would if they thought it was a good idea. Clearly they don't. 

Sad but true. The situation is very frustrating as a fan. I can’t imagine how frustrating it is for Falvey and Baldelli who would love nothing more than him playing 130 games a season in CF. 

We’re only the first year into the extension and it’s only going to get worse, I’m afraid. 

[Schmoeman5]

22 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Ok, now nobody get mad. I’m just asking a couple of simple, hypothetical questions assuming BB will never play CF again. I’m not advocating anything - just touching the proverbial third rail for kick’s sake.  

1. Is BB worth his contract and/or his place on the roster given his seemingly only possible role (i.e. everyday DH) and the likelihood that his overall health will never likely improve much and could, if not will, probably continue to deteriorate over time? 

2. Could BB be traded for “value” given his contract and limited role? What might his value in the trade market be? Is it worth considering given our small/mid-market franchise (i.e. can we really afford him in his role/does that really make good baseball sense)?

 

No and No. When he signed his contract last year there was no thought of him just being an every day DH. Or if there was, no one mentioned it. More along the line that he got half his value because he only played in half the games. And what is his trade value? I don't think there's any team that would give a top prospect for a guy who is game but more fragile than Humpty Dumpty. Let's look at it another way. You're a team that has a Royce Lewis type player. Tremendous upside but out for the last 2 years. Would you trade him straight up for BB? I wouldn't. 

[karcherd]

53 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Sad but true. The situation is very frustrating as a fan. I can’t imagine how frustrating it is for Falvey and Baldelli who would love nothing more than him playing 130 games a season in CF. 

We’re only the first year into the extension and it’s only going to get worse, I’m afraid. 

Why is it frustrating for Falvey and Baldelli, it is within their control to change this and play Buxton at least part time in CF.  The fans have no control over this decision.

[Ricky Vaughn]

If he's healthy put him in the field at least 1/2 the time.

[LA VIkes Fan]

Would it help to play him in LF instead of CF, and move Castro/Gallo to CF? Yes, that hurts the defense in CF while improving it in LF but should help the offense. Taylor can be a defensive replacement. My thought is fewer chances in LF, fewer chances for injury., and more important to improv the offends that maintain the defense.  

[Nine of twelve]

I'm not going to comment at length because you can read what I have to say on the Byron Buxton thread in the Minnesota Twins Talk Forum. But I will say again that I am certain that every Twins employee wants Buck to play center field if that's feasible. I am also certain that every Twins employee tries to make the best decisions possible based on what they know. It is clear that people who are aware of all the facts have concluded that it's not in anyone's best interest to manage Buck differently than what is being done now. And, may I also say to those complaining that he should be managed differently: just give it up already.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Have to get him healthy. He isn’t a sub .800 ops guy when he is healthy. 
beyond that, I want him as healthy as possible for September and October. 
June 3rd is not the time for these grand proclamations. 
get him healthy and hitting again, and it will work itself out. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

2 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Sad but true. The situation is very frustrating as a fan. I can’t imagine how frustrating it is for Falvey and Baldelli who would love nothing more than him playing 130 games a season in CF. 

We’re only the first year into the extension and it’s only going to get worse, I’m afraid. 

As the general public doesn't really know what is happening here, I am not ready to write this off.  There my be something that can be fixed in the offseason.  This needs to play out a little bit longer...

[Chris Spencer]

Buxton has stated that he would rather play in the field. I have also seen plenty of games where he makes a great defensive play and then clobbers the baseball. He feeds off of his defense. If he is not healthy they should IL him and get another bat in the lineup. 

[Brandon27]

I say yes defense is better with Buxton in the outfield. If they do put him back in outfield max or Taylor get trade or release 

[Carnegie]

Put Buxton in the outfield and yes he will get hurt, Oh well, at least his fielding skills were used. He is not a gifted hitter, never has been. He is a gifted athlete, who will never reach his full potential, because he's a china doll, as well. I do wish he could play 150 games in just one year, learn to punt, steal 30+ passes, hit 30 homers and hit .285. Guess it's ok to dream.

[big dog]

He’s clearly not healthy enough to play in the field. I also don’t see how he’s healthy enough to help the team at the plate, and he isn’t. Why not just IL him and get hol at least a little healthier? That’s even more frustrating to me than not having him in CF. Who cares if he plays 140 games if he’s going to keep hitting like he’s been doing the last month? He’s got to be healthy enough to at least DH or he should be recovering instead of playing. 

[wornsmooth]

3 hours ago, Flyover Steve said:

Hard to disagree with the glaring flaws of the plan that you rightly point out. Only thing is he’s not healthy enough to play CF. I was at the last game vs Blue Jays and Buxton could barely jog to first base on one of his groundouts. Many similar reports both this year and last season of people talking about how he looks like he can barely walk at times. Weird that he’s even playing, really. Only realistic option is DH or IL. 

If he is injured, and it appears to be a chronic injury, then for both his own well being and the good of the team he should be put on injured list.

Playing injured just puts an almost automatic out in the batting order. Why not have someone healthy, who can swing the bat without pain at least give the DH spot of batting .250.