Twins CF 2024 And Forward...

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

In 11 seasons Buxton had, at all levels 26 errors; Lewis in 5 seasons, at all levels  had 55 errors,

Well that is an improvement over Gordon who in 9 seasons, at all levels had 96 errors.

 

What the hell does this have to do with anything.  You are comparing a guy playing SS to CF.  

[Robert Floren]

Twins have had more than their share of Fox and Apple TV+ coverage.  I prefer home announcers.

[Cris E]

Either Buxton will have some surgery and return to CF or we'll piece it together with Taylor and his ilk for a few years until we bring up a talented kid. Clark could be it or we could trade for someone.  Lewis will probably not return to CF as a primary position because he gets hurt there and he can play 3b until Correa stops being a good SS.  If Miranda can drive him away from that position then he'll be sent to 2B and Julien (and other folks like Martin) will have to be better at 2B or yield their innings. 

The fact is he's not an excellent CF and I think they enjoy having a glove-first player at that position.

[DocBauer]

Firstly, thanks to everyone's posts and comments. Much appreciated. I think this is an unfortunate, but very necessary topic. And I've deliberately stayed out of the discussion until now.

A few personal comments and thought:

1] I LOVE Lee as a prospect. But I never bought in to what I call "hopeful hype" that he would be ready this season for the Twins. Same with Martin last offseason, and some E Rodriguez speculation similar.

WHEN Lee is ready, an INF of Lee, Correa, Lewis, and AK could be OUTSTANDING! In my dreams, Miranda plays both corners and does a little DH time. Julien plays 1B/2B/DH/LF eventually.

But speculation and hope doesn't equal reality. You have to find room for your best talent. And while I don't think my "hoped for" INF is grossly off the mark...

2] I do believe Lewis's best position might just be CF. And that doesn't mean he can't continue to sub in to the INF. He's just that talented and versatile. But even with Miranda getting himself right, does he get the 3B job vs being an almost daily rotation piece at both corners and AK even continuing to get some OF time? Even with a strong 2nd half and good offseason, is Lee ready for a full time job? So does Lewis move to primary as soon as 2024? Or is he slowly moved there?

3] There is still a chance Buxton gets healthy enough to be a part time CF. AND I'LL TAKE THAT. I just don't see the Twins making any sort of major FA signing or costly trade for a full time CF for ALL of the reasons, players, and options we are discussing.

4] I've been, generally, very pleased with Taylor. The defense is legit. His slash line has been below his career numbers, though not drastically different. The power is up, he's a good bunter when opportunity has arisen, and he provides speed and SB ability. While I don't think he's best utilized as the every day CF, you could do a whole lot worse than him being out there and hitting at the bottom of your order. I'd actually be inclined to bring him back for 2024 on another $5M deal that might have to bump a little to make it happen. I'm OK with that.

5] If not Lewis in CF, I've thought for some time Martin might be the choice. At worst, I saw him in LF as a top of the order bat who could cover CF just fine. Even the Twins have commented he could slide to the OF tomorrow, including CF, and be just fine. But he's only played a couple games all season while trying to avoid TJ, and then got dinged up almost immediately when he took the field. Just no way you can count on him for 2024 as anything but HOPEFULLY healthy at AAA

 6] Celestino, as I mentioned, is still very young and pretty talented. Does he show enough this year to be a candidate of any sort? Is there any chance Keirsey moves to St Paul soon and continue his sudden offensive surge? Is there ANY chance Gordon gets healthy before the year is done and prove his 2022 wasn't an illusion and he could help next year? And is there any chance Castro suddenly develops enough instinct in CF to be a viable platoon option there?

Man...so many options and yet, not much we can hang a hat on.

At this point, I think I'd re-sign Taylor and audition any and all of the possibilities mentioned to share the spot, INCLUDING Lewis starting to make a move there. Unfortunately, it might be somewhat of a rotating spot. But I don't think that means it has to be bad defense or a black hole in the lineup.

And, of course, the lineup is all that much better if LF and RF can become more settled and productive.

 

 

[Doctor Wu]

I would hope in the somewhat VERY NEAR future we will have some explanation or clarity in regards to Buxton's health status. We signed him to this big extension assuming he would be our centerfielder for the next several years ... but now what? This continuing mystery of will he take the field or not, has become a big issue. And yeah, what do we do next year? We need some answers from both the front office and Buxton. 

[farmerguychris]

My guess is that it will be Martin.  Lewis's agent doesn't want him playing in the OF, and we know we listen to what the players want (right or not) as Kepler hasn't played in center for 3 years despite being a better option than others we've put out there.

I'm still hoping Celistino can work on his hitting enough in AAA this year to be above replacement level for us,   Don't know enough about the other minor league options currently in the system, already see enough of our options to certainly not trade for one at this point until they announce Bux is done as a CF option.