Encouraging update on Buxton

[SoDakTwinsFan]

6 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

That's one of the problems, He needs to, and is capable of, hitting MUCH higher than .235.

His career .239 BA says otherwise.

[Nine of twelve]

18 hours ago, USAFChief said:

BTW, it's "nattering nabobs of negativity."  

 

6 hours ago, Nine of twelve said:

Actually, it's "nattering nabobs of negativism."

 

6 hours ago, USAFChief said:

You are correct, Mr Vice President. 

BTW that line was written by William Safire. At least that's what the Google told me.

[big dog]

On 12/3/2023 at 1:00 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Nabobs of negativity thread....

Ninja'd.

[howeda7]

On 12/3/2023 at 3:56 PM, ziggy said:

I heard Miguel Sano is also in the best shape of his career.

Gardy talking about reliever Jose Mijares "he's in A shape"....

[sampleSizeOfOne]

11 hours ago, USAFChief said:

You are correct, Mr Vice President. 

Tell him yes on one and no on two....

[jctwins]

On 12/3/2023 at 3:56 PM, ziggy said:

I heard Miguel Sano is also in the best shape of his career.

Delmon Young showed up to camp looking great this year.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

15 hours ago, Nine of twelve said:

 

 

BTW that line was written by William Safire. At least that's what the Google told me.

William Safire was a white house speech writer. If we’re getting this far down the technicality rabbit hole in early December, I shudder to think what we’ll be like come Winter Meltdown

[wabene]

If Buxton doesn't have pain in his knee and is full go this off-season (considering the short recovery time of this procedure), that doesn't change the fact that there are miles on his joints. Past damage. Physically he is entering another stage of his athletic life. His 30's. Buxton always goes all-out on the field. He is proud of his speed. This is part of what makes him fun to watch. But he always gets hurt. This got me thinking of Randy Moss. That guy was fast too. At least as fast, but he never got hurt and I think it's fair to say playing a more dangerous game. The thing about Randy, the thing that made him so uniquely deceptive was he just glided. He didn't look like he was getting after it. As I've been saying lately, Buxton needs to tone it down. Just glide. Him at 90% is fast enough. Other players play within some limitations. For example his buddy Carlos doesn't steal bases. It is time for Buxton to prove he can protect himself on the field. This really is on him. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

15 hours ago, howeda7 said:

Gardy talking about reliever Jose Mijares "he's in A shape"....

Hey!  Round is a shape!

 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

William Safire was a white house speech writer. If we’re getting this far down the technicality rabbit hole in early December, I shudder to think what we’ll be like come Winter Meltdown

Oh, I think one can imagine!

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Understatement of the year here.  Byron Buxton's health might be the largest factor toward this off-season's plan and for next season's success.  If he can play CF and get out of the DH spot (except rotationally, like others), that means that we probably don't need another outfielder that can play CF outside of Willi Castro and Austin Martin freeing up $$ and/or prospects for pursuit of a starting pitcher.  Also, needless to say, he can be (and has at times in the past been) a tremendous RH bat that we really need right now in the lineup.  Two problems at least partially solved. 

Oversimplification of the year next.  The Twins say he's good to go from a health standpoint.  Maybe he is.  Maybe he's not.  His knee might look OK now, but what weak spot in the waterballoon bursts next and gets us all wet? 

I don't think I've solved anything with my speculation, but hopefully the Twins know much more and aren't fooling themselves with what he will or won't do. Last year they were looking through rose colored glasses.  Hopefully they are clear-eyed about this now. 

[Craig Arko]

Yes, I’m encouraged, and yes, I’ll wait for Spring training to begin trusting this encouragement. 

[tony&rodney]

4 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

hopefully the Twins know much more and aren't fooling themselves with what he will or won't do. Last year they were looking through rose colored glasses.  Hopefully they are clear-eyed about this now. 

Well, the trade for Michael A. Taylor was a sign that the Twins wanted to cover centerfield in case Buxton was slow to heal. Maybe, a failure to sign or trade for anyone this offseason could be a hopeful sign in the other direction. If health is a much greater possibility for Buxton in 2024, then the Twins can be content with Willi Castro and Austin Martin or Nick Gordon to fill in for Byron on occasion. 

 

[Schmoeman5]

On 12/3/2023 at 4:34 PM, Mike Sixel said:

No one said we can't be skeptical..... But why every thread about him, including one with what could be good news? Do what makes you happy. If bring skeptical in this thread does that, fine by me. I'm going to hope, because why not? I'm just a fan, I don't need to decide if they need a backup.

His track record for the entirety of his career does not equate to skepticism. Those are FACTS. Everyone is hopeful that maybe this year will be different yet are not willing to bet on this happening. Would you? I'd be willing to bet he won't play over 100 games. I'm not an oddsmaker. But if I bet the under I'd win less than if I bet the over and he does happen to play in over 100 games. I see a lot of posts about him playing 80-100 games in CF and then another 40 as DH. That would be great.  But what are these numbers based on? HOPE and nothing else. A backup plan similar last year has to be considered. A few years ago I saw some numbers of Twins record with and without Buxton in the lineup. It was significant. But that was because there wasn't a backup in place. 2023 saw Michael Taylor fill that void. Buxton going down also coincided with the offense improving after the all-star break.

[LastOnePicked]

I love Buxton. None of this is his fault. But ... we've been here before, gang. Many, many times before.