Camp Storylines: Byron Buxton’s Health

[Ted Schwerzler]

A season ago, Byron Buxton's tone in spring conversations with reporters was somber. Things clearly weren’t right, and following an offseason knee procedure, it was announced that he was behind his teammates in terms of readiness to play. This year, things couldn’t feel more different.

Image courtesy of © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Buxton signed a seven-year, $100-million extension with the Minnesota Twins before 2022 and produced an All-Star season that summer. He was limited to just 92 games, though, and a knee procedure left his status uncertain for 2023. He did not play in spring training games last year, and the team announced he would not play in the outfield even once the season began. The goal for Rocco Baldelli was to see his starting center fielder back on the grass eventually, but it was going to be a process.

Playing in just 85 games, all as the designated hitter, Buxton never made it back to his defensive role. Though Buxton ranks among the best outfield defenders in the game, that was a skillset that the Twins never saw last season. Pregame knee treatment became constant, and working with only his bat, Buxton failed to produce a league-average OPS+ for the first time since 2017.

While cautious optimism is probably the most anyone can muster at this point, Buxton is trending in the right direction. Speaking with reporters as camp opened in Fort Myers, the smile had returned, and it was evident that a renewed sense of excitement was there for the outfielder.

“I’m excited," Buxton said to a cadre of reporters including Twins Daily's John Bonnes. "Now that I know I’m not DH’ing, knowing I’m going to go out there and do what I was doing before all the injuries. I’m nervous for that first fly ball; I haven't seen a fly ball in a couple of years. That’s pretty nerve-wracking, but in a couple of weeks, I’ll be back to normal.”

It’s not just being back out there that excites Buxton, though, it’s that he can do it without restrictions.

“I’m fully healthy, and that puts my mind at ease to be able to go out and have a normal spring training.”

That is something the Twins are excited about, too. His contract structure is a constant reminder of the risk tied in with his injury history. Still, Minnesota wasn’t thinking they’d be getting just a portion of Buxton’s services, and having him back in the fold as an everyday player certainly makes the team better. When talking about his desire to remain on the field during the uniform unveiling last offseason, Buxton noted his 92 games played being the most in a single season since 2017. After trying to gut it out and provide availability last season, a clean bill of health should energize him to take on the game as a whole.

It was clear that playing the designated hitter role last season was tough on Buxton. It’s a skillset not every player has, and his defense certainly sets him apart. “I missed being able to help the team. I’m a big defensive person. Any way to get an out for our pitchers is a way for me to flip a game or turn the page on a situation. I didn’t have that last year.”

It’s not lost on Buxton that being able to play defense could also help his offense. “Last year, if I had a couple of games where I didn’t get a hit, one diving catch could help to take my mind off of it. When you don’t have that distraction, which is something I tried to find all last year, it’s harder to do that when what you love to do is taken away from you. You try to tell yourself you have to flip the page because you have to go back up there; you have to trick your mind a lot when you DH because you have all that time to think.”

At his best, Minnesota employs a former Platinum Glove winner, and Buxton has shown that he can provide some of the best defensive value in the sport. That is something of a calling card for his game, and it wouldn’t be unexpected to see him flourish while being able to contribute in multiple facets again. The Twins didn't necessarily prioritize a backup plan for Buxton, as they did last year in acquiring Michael A. Taylor. The late addition of Manuel Margot fits that bill, though, and with him not projected to be a regular, the starter should be all systems go.

Health isn’t something Buxton is taking for granted, and after having to deal with plenty of pain and heartache last year, he’s just happy to be where he is now.

“The pain is gone. The last couple of years were painful. Waking up feeling like a knife was in your knee every morning," Buxton said. "Mentally, I wanted to play. This past year, you start realizing that’s not helping the team, because you can’t go and do the things you want to do even if it’s in a limited role.”

Having had an arthroscopic procedure that removed the plica in his right knee, the thought process is symptoms of knee tendinitis will subside. While he has had knee procedures previously, this is a stone that was otherwise unturned.

While he will still be eased back into action (as most veterans are during spring training), the restrictions are removed for Buxton, which could make an immense difference for Minnesota. Carlos Correa and Buxton were shells of themselves last season, and getting healthy versions of each should only help the Twins pursue a repeat division title.

Derek Falvey filled the DH spot in other ways this offseason, signing Carlos Santana to play first base and push Alex Kirilloff into the DH role more often. Only Margot represents true insurance for center field. If there’s an internal belief bubbling up in Buxton being both a difference maker in the field and at the plate, the upside for the roster is huge. Watching Buxton get back to a Gold Glove and MVP-caliber level is something all of Twins Territory is pulling for, and this may be the best opportunity to watch it come to fruition that we have seen in years.

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[Fatbat]

We haven’t actually seen a large sample of a healthy Buck and C4 affect games at the same time. No body really knows the upside of that scenario. 95wins? How good could this get?

[Doctor Gast]

Hope not to see Margot that often in CF.

[big dog]

The Twins payroll is lower because they know Buck is going to hit all those incentives. Wouldn't that be nice? MVP, 600 plate appearances, that's another $10 million. Win/win!

[arby58]

This team sort of reminds me of the Timberwolves. Last season, after the Rudy trade, they underperformed but still made the play-offs - but both Rudy and KAT were hurt off and on and never really got the chance to jell. The T-wolves made one (seemingly inconsequential) trade, picking up a 'past his prime' point guard (Conley), and there was a fair amount of criticism of the front office. This year, of course, they have the second-best record in the NBA and have already matched their win total from last year. Why? Healthy Rudy and KAT, emergence of a superstar in Ant, and that 'old guy' Conley runs the offense very well and contributes clutch baskets.

Twins, if they have healthy seasons from Correa and Buxton, and if some of the 'old guys' (ala Santana or various pitchers) contribute, they could be in a similar situation. It is entirely possible that Royce Lewis could be on a superstar track this year (again, if he can avoid injuries), and young pitchers (I think Ober in particular) can be expected to progress. Yes, that is a lot of 'ifs' but the T-wolves show how it can work out.

[UK Twin]

Buxton may be healthy but that isn't going to stop us holding our breath the next time he dives for a ball, or crashes into the wall, or slides heavily into 2nd base legging out a double which he inevitably will at some point sooner rather than later in the regular season. I was very pleased he didn't dive after Turner's double on Tuesday! 

It would be of huge benefit to the Twins if the DH spot could be freed up so it can be rotated to give players breaks from the field and also to be flexible with the line up depending on if we're facing a LHP or a RHP. 

[Trov]

If Buck can stay healthy and actually play a near full season and in the playoffs our lineup would be so much better.  If he can steal bases again even more. I will never believe Buck will play a full season but we can always hope. 

[jaydanger37]

Buck yea! Let's hope to see him out in the field nearly every day. 

[Thebigalguy]

I hope he lets a ball drop now and then instead of risking injury to save the occasional run, At the plate I'm interested to see whether it's power and Ks or a more studied approach. He's like the Bob Dylan of baseball, all instinct and verve, not the meticulous lyrics of a Paul Simon but the inspirational heroics that can turn a game, or a season, around.

[PDX Twin]

I'll believe Buxton plays the season in CF when I see it. I hope I'm wrong, but this has simply never happened. And he's not getting any younger.

[Parfigliano]

If BB is DHing more then CF that is a problem.  Big problem.  If that problem appears (it will) the suits better man up and bench him in favor of younger better bats.

[Fatbat]

4 hours ago, arby58 said:

This team sort of reminds me of the Timberwolves. Last season, after the Rudy trade, they underperformed but still made the play-offs - but both Rudy and KAT were hurt off and on and never really got the chance to jell. The T-wolves made one (seemingly inconsequential) trade, picking up a 'past his prime' point guard (Conley), and there was a fair amount of criticism of the front office. This year, of course, they have the second-best record in the NBA and have already matched their win total from last year. Why? Healthy Rudy and KAT, emergence of a superstar in Ant, and that 'old guy' Conley runs the offense very well and contributes clutch baskets.

Twins, if they have healthy seasons from Correa and Buxton, and if some of the 'old guys' (ala Santana or various pitchers) contribute, they could be in a similar situation. It is entirely possible that Royce Lewis could be on a superstar track this year (again, if he can avoid injuries), and young pitchers (I think Ober in particular) can be expected to progress. Yes, that is a lot of 'ifs' but the T-wolves show how it can work out.

Spot on analogy. The sum of the parts can total so much more when it all jells together.  The built in redundancy in this team is another strength.  Jake Cave is not our 4th outfielder. Manuel Margo is and could be lights out in his role to solidify off days. He buys the kids time to get their development in AAA. Santana and Farmer will play that role in the infield.  It’s a great mix that could really be special! 

[Fatbat]

2 hours ago, PDX Twin said:

I'll believe Buxton plays the season in CF when I see it. I hope I'm wrong, but this has simply never happened. And he's not getting any younger.

Buck is 30 all season. Even at 31,32,33 he will be prime time. He may age like others that produced better and stayed healthier in their 30s vs 20s.

[Parfigliano]

17 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Buck is 30 all season. Even at 31,32,33 he will be prime time. He may age like others that produced better and stayed healthier in their 30s vs 20s.

He will not.

[T.O.]

Quote

If BB is DHing more then CF that is a problem.  Big problem.  If that problem appears (it will) the suits better man up and bench him in favor of younger better bats.

They won't. They have to try to justify their expense.
I gave up on Buxton last year. I would be thrilled to see him have a season like 22 shortened  as it was. But I'm not looking for it.
I look at Buxton mostly with dread because if he can't play CF you know they will keep him at DH. They can't admit their mistake.
It's nice to think about the guy that hit the game winning HR in the All Star game. But I just can't go there. If I'm wrong then that's great.
 

[rv78]

Pretty sure he won't be in CF more than 80 times. Rocco will see to that. That means if he's healthy he'll be at DH and we know how productive he is there. Pfffft. He says he's finally without pain in his knee. He's played about 7 other seasons without that same knee pain and he couldn't stay on the field in most of them either. It's just a matter of time before the injury bug bites him again. He attracts that bug like flies to a manure pile.

[jkcarew]

“If Buxton is healthy and has a good year….look out!”

”Ownership is cheap”

 

We really could write next spring’s stories now, amiright?

[Jocko87]

Guys, guys, guys! I just figured out why they are being so cheap! They have save 10m for Buxton incentives! Let's check the payroll number after he cashes in.

On a slightly more serious note, coming through the year with just the knee is probably a good thing overall.  He didn't hurt something else trying to compensate and by and large he spent much of the year not taking a beating.  The rest of his body probably appreciated the rest. 

[akmanak]

Lol, just make it through the first month of the regular season and I will be impressed.