The Twins Must Use Byron Buxton in Center Field

[Cody Christie]

There is no question that Byron Buxton's performance has been disappointing during the 2023 season. With fewer than 40 games remaining, the Twins might have one option: a return to center field.

Image courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Buxton was placed on the IL in early August with a right hamstring strain. Early last week, head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told reporters that Buxton had resumed baseball activities, and his next step was to begin running progressions. The Twins have avoided sending Buxton on a rehab assignment this season, but it sounds like he won't avoid a St. Paul trip with his current injury. 

"Byron is getting back into baseball activities at this point in time," Paparesta said. "Obviously, him getting back into baseball activity is a good sign. Throwing, hitting, taking some ground balls and stuff, which is good."

Minnesota's plan in spring training was to start Byron Buxton as the team's everyday designated hitter and eventually move him back to center field. Initially, the Twins likely hoped his knee would improve during the season so the club could use him in the outfield. Unfortunately, there has been little improvement with his knee, and he's also dealt with back issues and his current hamstring problem. Injuries have been part of Buxton's entire professional career, which can be frustrating for all parties involved.  

Buxton's time at DH has allowed him to appear in 85 games in 2023, but his offensive performance is below his recent standard. He has hit .207/.294/.438 (.731) with 17 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs, and a 109-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 99 OPS+ is his lowest total since 2018. This OPS+ is low for an everyday DH, but it would be an acceptable total for an everyday centerfielder with elite defensive skills. His below-average performance is pushing the Twins to move him back to the outfield. 

In mid-July, Thad Levine talked about Buxton's outfield work in an interview with Cory Provus. He said, "Behind the scenes right now, we are doing a lot of defensive work, so when that time comes, we don't say we need three weeks to ramp him up. There are some things being done on a daily basis to help position him to be able to go out there when he is ready." Levine's quote also aligns with Paparesta's plan outlined above, which includes throwing and taking ground balls.

The Twins also have better-performing DH options currently on the roster. Royce Lewis' return from the IL has left the team with one more infielder than positions on the field. Jorge Polanco and Edouard Julien can both see time at DH and second base. Carlos Correa has also been fighting plantar fasciitis, and some time away from shortstop might help his performance. Ryan Jeffers has been one of the team's best hitters in the second half and has started to get time at DH on days when he isn't behind the plate. Matt Wallner is another young bat that is tough to keep out of the line-up, and using him at DH helps to improve the roster. 

Minnesota's best-performing team includes Buxton in center field, playing at a high level. Twins fans saw this from him during his All-Star performance in the first half of 2022. Buxton posted an OPS over 1.060 in April and June on his way to being named the AL's starting center fielder. It's hard to argue what that would mean to the line-up if the Twins could glimpse that player in the season's final month. 

The Twins' playoff losing streak has stretched to 18 games, so winning in October is the easiest way to stop some negativity surrounding the team. Depending on the playoff match-up, Minnesota's best line-up puts Buxton in center field, but there are other injury concerns to sort out before the postseason. On paper, the positions below seem like the best way for the Twins to end their October woes.   

C: Ryan Jeffers
1B: Alex Kirilloff
2B: Jorge Polanco
SS: Carlos Correa
3B: Royce Lewis
LF: Matt Wallner
CF: Byron Buxton
RF: Max Kepler
DH: Edouard Julien

If Buxton had performed well at DH, there would be less reason to push him back to center field. Instead, his offensive streakiness will force the Twins to make a decision. For better or worse, Buxton will return to center field before the season ends. 

Should the Twins keep Buxton at DH? What is the best Twins line-up for October? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

View full article

[MABB1959]

I don't think CF is too dangerous for his health.  He can get hurt in many situations.  I think it will be awesome for him and his confidence.  I will be awesome for the Twins to have a better bat a DH.  The whole team needs to work on strike-outs or all could be for none with Buxton

[DJL44]

Taylor has been doing well in CF. He might be a better fielder than Buxton in CF at the moment. I'd be fine with Buxton in LF and Wallner at DH.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I know this sounds a little ridiculous, but I don't really think they should "use up" a lot of Buxton playing rehab assignment CF -- just enough to know that he can physically make it happen.  The one thing that he is probably the best at (if he is physically able) is playing CF, so I'm confident that his timing, etc. will be fine.   We know that his knee, hip, hamstring, etc. is not going to let him be 100% but Buxton in CF would help the lineup in so many ways so let's not jeopardize that.   One things for certain, however, is that he needs to be given the "You will not try stupid things out there!" speech before he starts playing every day.  We just need good defense out there and will gladly sacrifice the occasional highlight reel play.

[gman]

I think they would need to test Buxton first, whether or not that's at St Paul. They could let him start at DH  through the sixth inning then move him to the outfield for 2-3 innings later in the game. Though it might be better to start him in the outfield, but they could not switch him to DH later in a game. I'm not saying start him in center either. Let him play left field for a few games to start getting the feel of the out field again. Or play center for an inning or 2 then switch him to left to test his legs. Kepler may have to play a few innings in center, but they can always bring Taylor in later for defense.

[cballhitball]

Well,  as they say,  there is a lot to unpack with Buxton.  As a Twins rube and even more a Buxton fan it is very frustrating to say:  your ability is as good as your availability.  What’s even more frustrating is the Twins are a better team when Buxton is in the line-up.  That said,  yeah, sure great have him play CF until he can’t….

[Patzky]

19 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

I know this sounds a little ridiculous, but I don't really think they should "use up" a lot of Buxton playing rehab assignment CF -- just enough to know that he can physically make it happen.  The one thing that he is probably the best at (if he is physically able) is playing CF, so I'm confident that his timing, etc. will be fine.   We know that his knee, hip, hamstring, etc. is not going to let him be 100% but Buxton in CF would help the lineup in so many ways so let's not jeopardize that.   One things for certain, however, is that he needs to be given the "You will not try stupid things out there!" speech before he starts playing every day.  We just need good defense out there and will gladly sacrifice the occasional highlight reel play.

I agree with the 'Do Not Try Stupid Things' but is the corollary 'Hit It To Buxton And Make Him Run Around'?

[MNBearCat]

21 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

I know this sounds a little ridiculous, but I don't really think they should "use up" a lot of Buxton playing rehab assignment CF -- just enough to know that he can physically make it happen.  The one thing that he is probably the best at (if he is physically able) is playing CF, so I'm confident that his timing, etc. will be fine.   We know that his knee, hip, hamstring, etc. is not going to let him be 100% but Buxton in CF would help the lineup in so many ways so let's not jeopardize that.   One things for certain, however, is that he needs to be given the "You will not try stupid things out there!" speech before he starts playing every day.  We just need good defense out there and will gladly sacrifice the occasional highlight reel play.

I generally agree with this. Have him mostly DH during his rehab assignment so he can get his hitting timing back, and then play a few games at CF so he can get back in the groove and, more importantly, determine how much recovery is warranted after playing a game in the outfield.

[Brett]

I don’t know if you’re playing Captain Obvious or just messing with me…but for the love of all that’s holy YES I want to see Buxton back in CF before I die.

[CRF]

It's more than obvious at this point...he's going to get hurt. He's ALWAYS going to get hurt. It doesn't matter if he's the DH or in CF...he's going to get hurt. It's who he is and who he's always going to be. If its going to be better for the team, then put him out in CF to give us some DH flexibility. Let him have a few rehab games in StP in the field, and then bring him up. When he gets hurt again, they can figure out what to do at that time. MAT has sure filled in admirably out there this season. 

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Ramp him up slowly in a rehab assignment.  He should field one or two days and DH the next since he will not field every day at the MLB level.  Then bring him in with about a week left in the season to do this at the MLB level so that he is ready for the playoffs.

Reasonable plan but I may want half-dozen games in OF & a dozen games at the plate prior to playoffs………maybe 3 weeks to go?

[JD-TWINS]

51 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Taylor has been doing well in CF. He might be a better fielder than Buxton in CF at the moment. I'd be fine with Buxton in LF and Wallner at DH.

This doesn’t allow for Julien & Polanco to be in the line-up………that’s the point of moving Buxton out of DH spot…….Wallner is fine in LF.

[NotAboutWinning]

When Buxton returns to CF (I do believe he will), what can we realistically expect? It is not likely to be the “nothing but raindrops” version. CF is about speed and instinct. No doubt the instinct will still be there. How many elite sprints are left in those knees before we’re left with a slower option than MAT?

[JD-TWINS]

29 minutes ago, Patzky said:

I agree with the 'Do Not Try Stupid Things' but is the corollary 'Hit It To Buxton And Make Him Run Around'?

If you’re playing wiffle ball…….MLB players can’t be that fine with their ability to make good contact. Most guys are trying to hit the ball back up the middle as a rule for “good approach”. The ball goes all over the field - in the air - on the ground. Nobody is going to make Buxton chase the ball around.

[HokieRif]

Hard disagree at this stage in the season.  Buxton's bat is practically useless, and I'm not swapping his bat in to replace Taylor's right now.  With Buck's, everything below his hips always seems to be ready to succumb to injury, so maybe place him in LF where he (in theory) has less ground to cover and let Taylor stay in CF.  This removes Gallo's whiffle ball bat from the lineup but right now that's a wash with Buck's, and it improves the defense in the OF.

[Vanimal46]

10 minutes ago, NotAboutWinning said:

When Buxton returns to CF (I do believe he will), what can we realistically expect? It is not likely to be the “nothing but raindrops” version. CF is about speed and instinct. No doubt the instinct will still be there. How many elite sprints are left in those knees before we’re left with a slower option than MAT?

He’s probably not Platinum Award winning CF anymore but I bet he’s still very, very good. I’m more than willing to try it out. 

[chinmusic]

If the Twins were not in the post season picture,  would Buxton playing centre this year be a thing?

Either his body is ready to take it , or not. Just saying.

 

 

[Vanimal46]

I’m happy the Twins are finally having this conversation. It should have happened on June 1, but better late than never. Get him healthy enough to play 60% of the remaining games in the field - including consecutive days. If he can do that, I’ll be thrilled to have him back. If he requires 1-2 days off after playing in the field, resulting in the Twins playing short handed, I have minimal interest in that. 

[Trov]

When Buck is hitting like MVP he can DH, but when he is not, he needs to play in field.  There was many debates about DH for ex amount of games or CF for 81 games, making assumptions that he would stay healthy as a DH.  I argued that most of his injuries in his history has not been from playing the OF, but from running bases and hitting.  Yes, he has had some injuries from playing OF, but as shown again this year, he will get injured just hitting, so taking away what he does best in trying to get him to be just a hitter really is not best for club.  

Hopefully he can play CF, but unless he can hit at MVP level, he should not be taking DH at bats from guys that are hitting better than he is.  Just because he is getting paid like he is, we should not just send him out there to fail for us.  I hope he can play CF even as a part time situation.  Give him a few games out there to see if he can do it playoff time, because him manning CF at his normal level, and hitting even average will be best for us. 

[DJL44]

23 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

This doesn’t allow for Julien & Polanco to be in the line-up………that’s the point of moving Buxton out of DH spot…….Wallner is fine in LF.

Which is better: Buxton (or Taylor) taking Wallner's spot defensively or Polanco taking Julien's spot defensively? I don't think Polanco is that much better than Julien at 2B but Buxton is going to be a lot better than Wallner. The Twins have a strikeout/flyball pitching staff.

I also don't think there will be a single lineup for the rest of the season anyway. There will be games with Farmer and Taylor and games with Julien and Wallner in the field depending on the starting pitcher.

[umterp23]

OF chatter has picked up again but to me at this point it is just chatter.  Knee, hamstring, mental part of being a DH only has allowed Buxton to suit up for a whopping 85 games this season.  Injuries for him will always happen and the "strain" of playing in the field isn't the only reason he gets injured.  Sore hamstring is tied to running.  So thought is DH will limit his legs being worn out.  Guess what, when he hits the ball he has to run.  So DH with limited activity to stay loose could be an element to hamstring woes.  Put him in the field and take off the bubble wrap.  If he isn't ready, then sit him down till next year.  

[Schmoeman5]

So meaningful games started at the end of March. It's now the end of August. Buxton hasn't hit decent since May, and he hasn't played defensively all season. And now he's on the IL and the front office is teasing with ramping him up defensively upon his return. I got some ocean front property in Arizona too! I think it's totally unrealistic. I'll believe it when I see it. And apologize for being wrong.

[In My La Z boy]

I am stunned he's only played 85 games this year NEVER seeing the field. Welp, that was a bad plan. New plan has to be playing in the field or what's the point? Sit him down and try again next year. He said it himself, he doesn't have the make up to be a DH, he needs to be out in the field. We seem to have proven this point. We're a better team without him right now, sadly.

[JD-TWINS]

Gotta try him for 2-3 games in St Paul……that’s plenty……..he’s almost 30, he’ll know if it’s a go & so will the organization.

If St Paul works, he needs 1/2 dozen games in CF throughout September to feel good about it, while DHing maybe 7-10 games. Roster is expanded by 2 in another 9 days……..playing him in LF helps v. LH pitching, but that’s it on LF.

Where & when for Kirilloff return????? Much bigger issue than missing Buxton!

Best line-up was original Q:

RH starter……Castro/CF…Julien/DH…Lewis/3B…Kepler/RF…Kirilloff/1B…CC/SS…Wallner/LF…Jeffers/C…Polanco/2B

Can debate order but Castro protected by Julien and best speed at top of line-up.

LH starter……CC/SS...Castro/LF…Lewis/3B…Buxton/CF…Solano/1B…Jeffers/C…Farmer/2B…Taylor/RF…Polanco/DH

Vazquez in the wings. Would be great to carry 15 bats (Luplow) with 7 relievers!

14 bats minimum rostered in October - only need 4 starters in rotation.

[Robert Gauthier]

The plan this year looked very frustrating and hard to decipher. If the plan was to keep them going until the near end of the year, then it was brilliant. However, I really hesitate to use the word brilliant with our front office. I think the calculus now is there’s very little to lose putting him in the field. His knee is cranky, that probably affects his hitting.  His hamstring will probably do better with him out in the field because it keeps him warmer all the time physically. Time to roll the dice.  If he gets hurt, there’s always next year. I’m guessing he’s going to need a knee operation pretty soon. If using just a DH he is very limited.  He basically owes the team some playing time. And I’m guessing he wants to play. Go Buck.

[Karbo]

As far as I'm concerned, He plays in the field or not at all. I'm OK letting him get his timing back in St. Paul for a week or two, and if he has to DH to start, keep it in St. Paul.

[SF Twins Fan]

Until he shows he can actually hit this season it doesn't really matter.  MAT is just as good at defense as Buxton is at 50% or whatever he will be this year.  The Twins can't afford to play both Buxton and Gallo at the same time if they're both striking out 40+% of the time.

[Jocko87]

2 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m happy the Twins are finally having this conversation. It should have happened on June 1, but better late than never. Get him healthy enough to play 60% of the remaining games in the field - including consecutive days. If he can do that, I’ll be thrilled to have him back. If he requires 1-2 days off after playing in the field, resulting in the Twins playing short handed, I have minimal interest in that. 

 

1 hour ago, Schmoeman5 said:

So meaningful games started at the end of March. It's now the end of August. Buxton hasn't hit decent since May, and he hasn't played defensively all season. And now he's on the IL and the front office is teasing with ramping him up defensively upon his return. I got some ocean front property in Arizona too! I think it's totally unrealistic. I'll believe it when I see it. And apologize for being wrong.

But meaningful games don't start until October, so long as you can lay back and coast to a division title. Had they any fear of losing the division he would have been out there already. They've played that pretty well.

I think it's fairly obvious reading between the lines of working him up into CF was only about two things. A-he's healthy and full go, huzzah or B-risk injuries only when the games really matter. In this season, it's October. I fully expect him to get some time out there off and on in September even though he won't need much for warm up while still mainly DHing.  Remember that long dinner with Correa? It's all about the ships baby.

Many of the comments seem to  assume we are going to be putting out the best lineup daily for the next two months. There will be plenty of time off to go around as they get ready for the post season.

You may think they are tempting fate but it's the right move when you have 95% playoff odds. After the next three weeks or so we will know for sure.

[LA Vikes Fan]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

This doesn’t allow for Julien & Polanco to be in the line-up………that’s the point of moving Buxton out of DH spot…….Wallner is fine in LF.

Agree, if Kirilloff is coming back. If he isn't, then putting Buxton in LF may make some sense with Julien and/or Polanco playing 1B. 

[Riverbrian]

I didn't read the article but I read the title

And I agree with the title without any other details necessary.

Buxton in CF makes the team instantly and significantly better.