Best Twins Career: Buxton vs. Polanco vs. Kepler

[John Kelsey]

I was having this conversation recently and was curious how others would rank these three Twins careers. They're all born in '93, debuted around the same time, and their career bWARs
are 15.9, 18.2, and 21.0 so I think it's worthy of discussion. I won't say which is which of those three but feel free to do your research. 

Buxton would be on a different tier if he had remained relatively healthy but he's got about 1000 fewer career ABs that the other two. 

[Mortimerkenny21]

I would say Polanco has provided the most value. The injury bug has been a little more of a factor the last couple years, but I believe he has provided the most production to the team over a long period.

[Vanimal46]

Kepler has been the most available during his tenure, and that has value. Polanco has had more valuable seasons, but injuries seem to be catching up to him since last season. Buxton has the highest high, and the lowest low out of all 3 players. 

Kepler has to be the answer due to consistency and availability. 

[danielp19653]

I think its Kepler, Polanco, then Buxton. I could be convinced to swap Polanco and Kepler based on Polanco's better floor to Kepler's but also like the added value of Kepler's defense over the years to Polanco's 

[USAFChief]

On 8/16/2023 at 8:57 AM, Vanimal46 said:

Kepler has been the most available during his tenure, and that has value. Polanco has had more valuable seasons, but injuries seem to be catching up to him since last season. Buxton has the highest high, and the lowest low out of all 3 players. 

Kepler has to be the answer due to consistency and availability. 

Strong argument, but I'd go Polanco. He's just been more consistently above average at the plate, and plays infield rather than corner OF.

Kepler does have roughly 300 more PAs.

 

[Vanimal46]

25 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Strong argument, but I'd go Polanco. He's just been more consistently above average at the plate, and plays infield rather than corner OF.

Kepler does have roughly 300 more PAs.

 

It won’t take much to convince me that Polanco is 1st. Him and Kepler are close calls. 

[Twodogs]

I'm curious as to how this would have been answered at the beginning of the season??