Byron Buxton's Playoff Role Might Be Big Bench Bat

[Cody Christie]

The Twins hoped Byron Buxton could return to center field for the stretch run. However, his latest injury setback changed his role for October.

Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp & Twins Daily

Byron Buxton made his first appearance in center field as part of a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on August 30th. During his next game, he was removed from action because of inflammation and irritation in his right knee. This type of reaction can be expected when a player is dealing with knee issues and attempting to ramp up after extended time off. As a procedural move, the Twins pulled him off his rehab assignment on September 5th so that they could reset his 20-day rehab window. 

Last week, head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told reporters that he still anticipates that Buxton will appear in games for the Twins this season. Buxton received a cortisone injection to deal with his right knee issue, and he began rotational work on Thursday. The Saints have fewer than ten games remaining on their schedule, making it tough to ramp him up for the playoffs, but the Twins believe Buxton can still be ready to help the team. 

"We will make it happen," Paparesta said. "We're going to make it happen in the context of us being able to get him at-bats and get him prepared to play, yes." Minnesota also believes Buxton has a chance to play in center field even though he has yet to make an outfield appearance for the Twins this season. "My impression is for him to be able to play wherever he needs to be able to play for this team," Paparesta said.

Twins fans are likely trepidatious when considering Buxton's previous injury history and the idea of him returning to center field in a season that is quickly closing. Minnesota has other center field options like Michael A. Taylor, Willi Castro, and Andrew Stevenson, who each offer different skill sets. However, Buxton is one of the game's best overall players when he is performing at the top of his game, which has yet to be something fans have seen much in 2023. 

Playoff baseball is on the horizon for the Twins, and the front office might need to get creative regarding Buxton's postseason role. There is room on the playoff roster for extra bench options to fill specific roles such as pinch runner, defensive replacement, or platoon bat. The team will need to consider multiple options if Buxton's knee can't handle regular outfield duties and they still want to have him on the October roster. 

A right-handed bench bat has been one of the Twins' most significant needs throughout the regular season. The club didn't address this need during the winter because they hoped Buxton would be joined in the middle of the line-up with other right-handed power bats like Carlos Correa and Jose Miranda. Injuries have impacted all three players this season, and the team's struggles against left-handed pitching have been well-documented. 

The trade deadline offered a new opportunity to add a right-handed bat, but the Twins didn't make any offensive additions. Instead, Minnesota turned to the waiver wire and selected Jordan Luplow to add power against lefties. In 24 games with the Twins, he has hit .250/.357/.438 (.795) with five extra-base hits and a 117 OPS+. Against lefties, he has posted an .838 OPS for the season, which will be challenging for the front office to ignore. 

The Twins have an opportunity to move Buxton to a bench bat role for the postseason so they can spot him against left-handed relievers. The Twins have few other options in the organization with as much power potential versus lefties, and it would allow Buxton to limit his time on the field. Buxton's streakiness against left-handed pitching makes it hard to know what to expect from him in a small sample size. In previous years, Buxton has shown an ability to return quickly from injuries and immediately impact the line-up. Minnesota can hope he represents a threat off the bench, especially versus some potentially strong left-handed relievers in October. 

Buxton's return will likely be messy, especially with a team already facing a roster crunch on the offensive side. Will Buxton be able to prepare for the rigors of center field? Or is it time to consider a bench bat role for a potential playoff run? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[adorduan]

They don't need a pinch hitter to go up and K.........

[DJL44]

This is exactly his role on a postseason roster. Pinch hit Buxton and pinch run Stevenson if he walks.

[Parfigliano]

His role should be non playoff roster guy.  Thats where he can most contribute.

 

[MABB1959]

This made me laugh "Buxton has shown an ability to return quickly from injuries and immediately impact the line-up" he also quickly returns to the IL.  

I am not baseball genius but they have been playing pretty good if not better with him out of the DH role.  I would not quite say he is a Big Bench Bat but he proves me wrong when they do.

 

[Brett]

Playoffs start in less than 2 weeks, so I just don’t see it.

Don’t get me wrong….I would love to see Buxton patrolling CF and striking fear into opposing pitchers again…that would be awesome. But we’re Twins fans, and we haven’t had awesome since ‘91.

[DocBauer]

Despite disappointing overall numbers in the first half, Buxton was around league average in OPS and had some big moments.

Without him in the second half, the offense has been better without him. Now, I'm NOT saying the Twins are better WITHOUT Byron. Nor am I saying his being out has been a single cause and affect for a better offense. I mean, a resurgence of Kepler has been pretty big. But PART of the reason Wallner, Julien, Lewis, and Kirilloff received their opportunities to contribute was by freeing up the DH spot. Polanco missing time also contributed. 

It pains me to say it, but the Twins haven't missed Buxton too much. And I seriously doubt he plays any CF this season, unless it's one game and then he's just done after that. It would seem his only fit would be as a PH/DH. The problem with PH is then having to be replaced in the field, which becomes a 2 for 1 swap out.

Don't get me wrong, he might produce a couple key hits in those spots. But it's still a limited role when considering the roster construction. 

[garn from vancouver]

this headline was exactly the comedy i needed today.

[Logi_Clevs]

I think the most important thing is that whether he is on the playoff roster or not, Buck just needs to be present with the team. He is a leader - he wants to be a leader. I think with his veteran status now, he will know how to excel in his role no matter what it is - even if it is a "hype man" in the dugout giving high fives and creating new handshakes with anyone and everyone. I can almost guarantee he misses the team and will do whatever he can to play any sort of role and be back with them. 

[Battle ur tail off]

I like the idea of him back as a bench bat. But don't really like him hitting, then being subbed for again right away. 

I think they will bring him almost no matter what. This is just my opinion. 

Do they need him? Not really, but could he come up with a huge hit sometime. For sure. 

[chpettit19]

Which Buxton would you be getting back in the playoffs? Superstar, top 10 talent on the planet Buxton? Or K machine Buxton? That should be the deciding factor, but the problem is you really don't have time to figure that out unless he's back very, very soon, and I don't think that's happening.

The Twins are better off without bad Buxton in the lineup, but significantly better with great Buxton in the lineup. He can be great Buxton for short stints, and carry the team. People like to think there's some magic formula for winning in the postseason, but the magic formula is just being the team with the most guys that get hot for a month with extra off days. Hot Buxton is a series winning player. Cold Buxton is a series losing player. I just don't think they can give him any real playoff run if he's not back in the regular season and showing he's great Buxton. 

It's a really tough decision for rostering him if he's healthy. The real options are that he's a starter or non-roster player. I don't know that a bench role is a good option for him. If he's bad Buxton he's not one of your top 14-15 bats. If he's good Buxton he's your best bat. So, in my opinion, you're either starting him or just leave him off the roster.

[mikelink45]

It is hard for a team to not play their big ticket guys, but from a fans standpoint contracts really do not matter.  Production does.  Unless Buxton finds one of those short explosive streaks with the bat he is more liability than asset.  

I like what we have now if Lewis can come back and Correa can regain some comfort.

[John Belinski]

No way do we need Buxton. We are a much better team without him. He can not play in field and we do not need him to strike out.

[John Belinski]

1 hour ago, Logi_Clevs said:

I think the most important thing is that whether he is on the playoff roster or not, Buck just needs to be present with the team. He is a leader - he wants to be a leader. I think with his veteran status now, he will know how to excel in his role no matter what it is - even if it is a "hype man" in the dugout giving high fives and creating new handshakes with anyone and everyone. I can almost guarantee he misses the team and will do whatever he can to play any sort of role and be back with them. 

Since when has Buxton become a leader.  He hurt team play for most of the season. He can not play in field and can not hit.  A leader would have taken some time off sooner to get his health better so he could help Twins win games.

[John Belinski]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

This is exactly his role on a postseason roster. Pinch hit Buxton and pinch run Stevenson if he walks.

When Buxton strikes out we can not pinch run for him. He just doesn't get walks since he swings at almost every pitch.

[Logi_Clevs]

3 minutes ago, John Belinski said:

Since when has Buxton become a leader.  He hurt team play for most of the season. He can not play in field and can not hit.  A leader would have taken some time off sooner to get his health better so he could help Twins win games.

I disagree. Leaders generally tell themselves "I'll be okay, let me play through this for my team." Leaders aren't always the team's best player and the team's best player isn't always their leader. They are the clubhouse presence that everyone looks and turns to, which I think Buxton was and still is. 

[SoDakTwinsFan]

The title of this article should be nominated for the preposterous statement tournament.  "Big bench bat."  lol

[MABB1959]

Another big factor is he cannot run without hurting

[Boswell]

In other years, the team record was often much better _with_ Buxton than without him.  It was a remarkable witness to the kind of player he can be.  
 

I suspect the opposite is true in 2023.  The medical plan just wasn’t able to get him back on track this year. 

[Logi_Clevs]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Which Buxton would you be getting back in the playoffs? Superstar, top 10 talent on the planet Buxton? Or K machine Buxton? That should be the deciding factor, but the problem is you really don't have time to figure that out unless he's back very, very soon, and I don't think that's happening.

The Twins are better off without bad Buxton in the lineup, but significantly better with great Buxton in the lineup. He can be great Buxton for short stints, and carry the team. People like to think there's some magic formula for winning in the postseason, but the magic formula is just being the team with the most guys that get hot for a month with extra off days. Hot Buxton is a series winning player. Cold Buxton is a series losing player. I just don't think they can give him any real playoff run if he's not back in the regular season and showing he's great Buxton. 

It's a really tough decision for rostering him if he's healthy. The real options are that he's a starter or non-roster player. I don't know that a bench role is a good option for him. If he's bad Buxton he's not one of your top 14-15 bats. If he's good Buxton he's your best bat. So, in my opinion, you're either starting him or just leave him off the roster.

Completely agree. Its very unfortunate that there is such a stark difference between hot and cold Buxton. 

[Road trip]

My heart wants to believe.

My head says no, he hasn't been healthy or very productive all year.

It's the playoffs.  Listen to your head.

[jkcarew]

To me it’s pretty simple…

If he can play in the field, you roster him. If he can’t, you don’t.

He’s not a DH…and you can’t afford to bring a guy that can only PH. Meanwhile, he has a career OPS of 631 as a substitute, and 455 as a pinch hitter. So, it’s not like he has a track record of being good in those roles, either.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

The real question here is how to manage him if he is on the roster.  If he's unable to function, the decision is easy.  Leave him off the roster.  If he is able to function, we have to assume that it will be only as DH and pinch hitter.  I cannot imagine any way that he plays in the field (why start now?).  He hasn't really hit well enough this season to be the full-time DH for the playoffs as that hamstrings the offense in many ways. 

So. . . . (if healthy-ish), you could put him on the roster and use him in a pinch hitting situation. He can be explosive enough that he would be very dangerous in the right situation.  Unfortunately that means that you would probably need to sub him out if he gets a hit (the man doesn't walk), but used sparingly enough, that could be doable.  I also wouldn't object to him being the DH for a game or two here or there, provided that he isn't clogging it up for the entire playoffs.  The challenge, Mr. Baldelli, will be keeping him happy with just being there for part of it vs. being the star.  Making Buxton, and the rest of the team, understand that will be the key to the equation.  If he isn't displaying leadership by buying into that type of role, he could turn into a real distraction. 

My answer?  Good question!

[Riverbrian]

The St. Paul Saints schedule ending on the 24th isn't a concern. What Byron needs to do to rehab and play the game of baseball  physically is the same in St. Paul as it is in Minneapolis. 

Once the Twins clinch does it matter if Byron ramps up in St. Paul or in the majors? It doesn't... Once we clinch, we can absorb his rustiness/rehabbing without penalty... we could start Glunn, Ashbury or Chpettit19 in Centerfield for the final week of the season and it won't matter in the standings so the Saints schedule coming to an end isn't a factor. We can ramp him up for the playoffs right here if needed.  

I was sleeping in med school so I'm just going to listen to the reports from the head trainer who is saying that he will be back.

My only hope is that Byron is honest about his current status at all times. I don't want him saying he is fine if he is not. I don't want him trying to hide anything just to get in the game.

I hope Byron realizes that Michael A. Taylor at 100% is better than he is at 40% and for the sake of the team... he steps aside with honest communication. 

If healthy... he could be a game changer. Let's get him healthy and hope for honest communication.     

[Parfigliano]

48 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

Another big factor is he cannot run without hurting

2023 Buxton cant do anything baseball related without hurting.  He would be a wasted playoff roster spot.  

[SkyBlueWaters]

1 hour ago, jkcarew said:

He’s not a DH…and you can’t afford to bring a guy that can only PH. Meanwhile, he has a career OPS of 631 as a substitute, and 455 as a pinch hitter. So, it’s not like he has a track record of being good in those roles, either.

I completely agree. He's hitting ,207 this year with a ,294 OBP, with plenty of chances at 304 AB. That's our big bat off the bench?

His playoff record against the Astros in 2020 wasn't inspirational, either. Three K's in the first game, and put in as a pinch runner in the 8th inning of the game 2 loss, he got picked off.  Frankly, he looked lost. Maybe he'll rebound from that, but I'm not seeing him as the guy who rises to the occasion yet.

[terrydactyls]

2 hours ago, SoDakTwinsFan said:

The title of this article should be nominated for the preposterous statement tournament.  "Big bench bat."  lol

How big is the Twins' bench at Target Field?  Is it bigger than a normal bench?  And why does any bench need a bat?

As for Buxton, if you thought he looked bad as a DH, I would bet he looks even worse as a pinch hitter.  He seems to play at his best when he contributes on both offense and defense.

[Rosterman]

4 starters and flip a starter for a lefty (say Headrick or, if still with the team, KeauchelThe Twins need their absolute BEST 26 players. They have some wiggle room....go with 3 or 4 starters and replace one with a lefty, perhaps, like Headrick or Keuchel.

Buxton prevents the Twins from using the DH for an already over-abundance of players not having a place to play. Plus they have to eliminate two players from the current roster.

Bad enough that 60-day IL guys like Brock Stewart, Nick Gordon, Chris Paddack and maybe Jorge Alcala. One has been removed. Are Floro and Stevenson (and even Keuchel) up for the waiver wire? Not to mention getting Gallo back onto the team.

Again, BEST 26, as they match up against your opponents. You can add arms and switch out bats from series-to-series, right?

[jkcarew]

28 minutes ago, SkyBlueWaters said:

I completely agree. He's hitting ,207 this year with a ,294 OBP, with plenty of chances at 304 AB. That's our big bat off the bench?

Yeah…the bench role seems like a big mistake, IMO. If he’s getting one PA a game in a big spot, I just see him flailing and chasing even more than normal, trying to do too much…not to mention how it constricts flexibility with the roster.

I don’t think it would be the end of the world to DH him and have him, like 6th,7th,8th in the order behind someone like Wallner or Jeffers (or Kirilloff?) because I do think pitchers will consider Buxton a power threat ALMOST no matter how he’s swinging it, and the guy in front of him might see better pitches than otherwise. That’s where he would belong in the BO, regardless of DH or CF roles. Still don’t think it would be the best move, though…unless he can play CF.

[jkcarew]

30 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Again, BEST 26, as they match up against your opponents. You can add arms and switch out bats from series-to-series, right?

Yes. And as Riverbrian points out above, Buxton can ‘rehab’ with the Twins at some point over the last 9 games (doesn’t need to be St Paul since the games don’t matter) to prove/disprove readiness for a role in the opening series.

You can even replace an injured player during a series (pending commissioner approval).