The Twins Have Finally Found a Stable and Productive Left-Side to Their Infield

[Nate Palmer]

The Minnesota Twins have struggled to get a combination of stability and production from the left-side of their infield in recent history. The team seems to be on the verge of that with the duo of Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis both looking healthy headed into 2024. 

The lack of production produced from the shortstop position for the Twins pre-Carlos Correa has been well-documented over the years. Even though Correa stumbled through the 2023 season, he still has plenty of time to become not just one of-- but the best shortstop in Minnesota Twins history. 

Meanwhile, third base hasn’t been nearly as bad from a production standpoint. While many have produced for the Twins at third base, it has often been a new face year to year or every couple of years, which has made third base also a position lacking the combination of stability and production year to year going back as far as Corey Koskie. It seems that as of the middle of last season, Correa may have found lining up to his right the stability that the position needs in the form of Royce Lewis. 

Finally healthy, Lewis was able to play 58 games for the Twins last season while amassing a 2.4 WAR with a .921 OPS, 15 home runs (four of which were grand slams for a franchise record), and six stolen bases. While being proficient with the bat, Lewis has turned his shortstop skills into third base defense that continues to improve as he spends more time there. 

Lewis’ numbers drew national attention, and he has put his name alongside some of the greats in baseball. Paul Casella at MLB.com  notes that Lewis joins eight other rookies in hitting .300 with at least 15 home runs and a 150 OPS+. Those eight being Yordan Alvarez, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jose Abreu, Yasiel Puig, Mike Trout, Ryan Braun, Albert Pujols, and Mike Piazza. 

Next to Lewis is Correa, who, in a down year, still put together a 1.1 WAR season but is capable of much more like his 4.4 WAR his first season in Minnesota. Steamer has projected Correa at a 3.5 WAR and a .787 OPS. Something that would pair nicely with Lewis’ projected 3.7 WAR and .820 OPS. 

Of course, both players must avoid injuries, which hasn’t been easy for either while part of the Twins. If the two of them can spend more time on than off of the field, those projections put them in the conversation for one of the best offensive left sides of the infield in baseball. 

This is exciting news for Twins fans. With Correa already locked in long-term and reports of extension talk circling around Lewis, Minnesota could be preparing to watch a generationally great type duo—an exciting place even after a lackluster offseason. 

How excited are you for a Lewis-Correa left-side? When did you last feel this good about that part of the Twins infield? Join the conversation below!

 

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[Riverbrian]

The possibility of Correa returning to Correa numbers and the possibility of Lewis continuing to play like one of the best players in all of baseball are indeed possibilities. 

I wish for that along with a sincere wish for health.  

[Cory Engelhardt]

*Knocks firmly on wood...

 

YES! I agree! And great article @Nate Palmer!!!

[Patzky]

The possibilities are endless (like all possibilities are.) I am completely comfortable with the plugins if either needs a little (but not a lot of) time down. This infield is special.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Correa certainly has enough of a track record to give a person faith that there will be a bounce back offensively, and probably defensively as well.  It’s a beautiful thing to have a shortstop who is good enough to be at least OK while having the worst offensive year of his career.  That’s a pretty great floor level.  Lewis, on the other hand, hasn’t had that kind of major league track record.  All signs point to success, but you never know what will happen going forward.  I’m thrilled to be at the point where we can speculate about a situation like this.

One of the things that I hope is happening with the Twins is that we are developing players whose floor in their worst season is still more than playable.  Simply put, not everyone has to have a career year to go far in the playoffs.  A couple of people likely will have that career year, but it won’t take the whole team doing so in order to have success.  

My hilarious example for this is the 1965 Twins.  Harmon Killebrew, arguably their best player) was hurt part of the year and had arguably the worst year of his prime (and still managed a 145 OPS+ (!!!!!), over 4 WAR and MVP votes) but the team managed to win a bunch of games and make it to seven games against the Dodgers in the World Series.  There were plenty of other seasons that went extremely well for players (ahem, Mr. Versalles) but what an amazing team that was to sustain through an injury laden season for their biggest star.  

[mikelink45]

In another thread there are numerous discussions about moving Lewis to make room for Lee.  Putting Lewis in LF.  I like him at 3B and hope he can stay there and give us the long term solution that this article discusses.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

In another thread there are numerous discussions about moving Lewis to make room for Lee.  Putting Lewis in LF.  I like him at 3B and hope he can stay there and give us the long term solution that this article discusses.

The only people thinking about moving Lewis are some posting here; If he is still here, he will be playing Third for  a long time.

[jmlease1]

I'm really excited to (hopefully) see a full season of Correa and Lewis as the left-side of the infield. I think that could be awesome. Correa is really smart when it comes to positioning defensively and I'm sure that will help Lewis' development at 3B as well. And I think both will hit.

SS & 3B are in very good hands.

[Shaitan]

I hope so.

But I also remembering reading how set the Twins were because the Rivas/Guzman combo was going to define their middle infield for an era.

Lewis still needs to stay on the field.

But if he moves to a new position and remains a successful player I'm happy with that. I'm not sure year-after-year stability defines a team's success in any way. (I'm sure it's fun for the players though.)

[JD-TWINS]

For me it’s tough to turn my back on Eddie Julien’s upside. ……supposedly, Lee is going to be playing infield for Twins by July or, worst case, next Spring.

Lee hasn’t played 2B since early college. The “evaluators” over the past year slot him into the left side of the infield. He’s not playing SS any time soon in Minneapolis. If his best position is 3B & Julien is playing 2B……….Lewis playing LF & eliminating the need for “solid RH power bat in a corner OF spot” once and for all.

He’s a better athlete & has played some OF. 3B is a more physically demanding grind than playing LF.

All 3 guys in the line-up is the goal. If Buxton wasn’t on the team and the DH spot was open for the next few years…..easy!! Just rotate all 3 on defense on the dirt while spending time at DH for rest. Buxton will continue to slow down and he’s not going anywhere either……..DH is somewhat clogged.

I get Royce tore up his knee in CF…….he might get hurt doing nearly anything. Teams have hidden inferior defensive talent in LF forever…….it’s not that demanding. Lewis is not inferior…….he’s just an infield first guy. He can still play 25-35 games at 3B when LH pitchers are throwing (Lee’s current weak spot) and he can play 3B when Lee plays SS to rest Correa for 20-25 games in ‘25.

I think it’s the best option to get all our best bats in the line-up!

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

The only people thinking about moving Lewis are some posting here; If he is still here, he will be playing Third for  a long time.

https://www.mlb.com/video/lewis-on-being-on-top-100-list?q=royce lewis&cp=CMS_FIRST&qt=FREETEXT&p=0

Greg Amsinger: "And defensive clarity has to help, right?...Knowing you're manning the hot corner...that has to ease your mind a bit, right?"

Royce Lewis: "I still don't think it's full clarity."

Maybe it's not just people posting here who think he may eventually move if that's what's best for the team. You seem to be more certain about it than he himself is. Amsinger didn't ask a question about him moving positions, he stated it as a fact like you are now that he isn't moving, and Royce volunteered the info himself that he doesn't even have full clarity yet.

[gman]

I think that Lewis and Correa will be a very solid and potential all-star left side of the infield for years to come. Add Julian , Lee and Kirilloff to the right side and the infield could be well covered along with Dh for a similar number of years. The outfield could be somewhat in turmoil for the next 3 years, but there are good assets on the way to cover there as well. I don't think moving Lewis around really solves anything long term. Let him get established at third, leave him alone there and find others to cover weak areas in the field and lineup.

[DocBauer]

Not to put the cart before the horse here, but as constructed today, no Lee yet and probably no Miranda to open the season, if Kirilloff is healthy for all or most all of the season and just performs as expected, as he showed in 2023, is this maybe the best overall INF in the MLB?

Lewis, Correa, Julien, AK, Famer, (Castro), and maybe Santana...if he can hold off father time for a repeat of last season. 

Me likey!

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

https://www.mlb.com/video/lewis-on-being-on-top-100-list?q=royce lewis&cp=CMS_FIRST&qt=FREETEXT&p=0

Greg Amsinger: "And defensive clarity has to help, right?...Knowing you're manning the hot corner...that has to ease your mind a bit, right?"

Royce Lewis: "I still don't think it's full clarity."

Maybe it's not just people posting here who think he may eventually move if that's what's best for the team. You seem to be more certain about it than he himself is. Amsinger didn't ask a question about him moving positions, he stated it as a fact like you are now that he isn't moving, and Royce volunteered the info himself that he doesn't even have full clarity yet.

I had not seen this so thanks for sharing this with all of us.  It's nice to get a little bit of insight.  We have a great problem in that we have an infield full off of very good players with a top prospect that will be ready soon.  Is this kind of situation ever crystal clear?  It's certainly possible they love Lee but think he is best suited for 3B while also feeling Lewis could adapt to another position.   Who knows?  Not us!

[Jocko87]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

https://www.mlb.com/video/lewis-on-being-on-top-100-list?q=royce lewis&cp=CMS_FIRST&qt=FREETEXT&p=0

Greg Amsinger: "And defensive clarity has to help, right?...Knowing you're manning the hot corner...that has to ease your mind a bit, right?"

Royce Lewis: "I still don't think it's full clarity."

Maybe it's not just people posting here who think he may eventually move if that's what's best for the team. You seem to be more certain about it than he himself is. Amsinger didn't ask a question about him moving positions, he stated it as a fact like you are now that he isn't moving, and Royce volunteered the info himself that he doesn't even have full clarity yet.

I heard that too, it's well in character for Falvine or Rocco to leave it open to all possibilities even if the plan is third base for the foreseeable future.  I don't see them giving him a firm, you're at third forever answer.  Good problem to have but I'd rather solidify the right side of the infield rather than moving Lewis.  Unless he can make a platinum glove move to right field like Tatis or pure centerfielder I'd see it as a reduction in value and I believe his agent does too. 

[Nate Palmer]

4 hours ago, Shaitan said:

I hope so.

But I also remembering reading how set the Twins were because the Rivas/Guzman combo was going to define their middle infield for an era.

Lewis still needs to stay on the field.

But if he moves to a new position and remains a successful player I'm happy with that. I'm not sure year-after-year stability defines a team's success in any way. (I'm sure it's fun for the players though.)

I understand this reservation. I am pretty sure I penned/said/tweeted similar words about either Sano or Josh Donaldson or maybe both. Let's just hope I didn't deliver the KOD on this matter. 

[Shaitan]

2 hours ago, Nate Palmer said:

I understand this reservation. I am pretty sure I penned/said/tweeted similar words about either Sano or Josh Donaldson or maybe both. Let's just hope I didn't deliver the KOD on this matter. 

It's baseball. Always stay positive 🙃

[JD-TWINS]

If there’s a big concern by Management &/or Lewis (doubtful) to have him play in the OF, & the consensus is Lee should be at 3B, what do they do? Lots of people here say, just trade Julien for a pitcher………. his bat is valuable - his contract status is valuable - he’s reached neutral & getting better at 2B……only starting year 2.

An option that may make sense for later this year or more likely in ‘25, move Lewis to 1B. Low physical stress - great glove & mobility at that corner - an everyday home for him. Kirilloff spells him 25 games per year & plays LF regularly……..Lewis could rest Lee as well & Kirilloff or other then plays 1B.

Lee - CC - Julien - Lewis on the dirt is pretty good as well as at the plate!

Possible?

[Nate Palmer]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

If there’s a big concern by Management &/or Lewis (doubtful) to have him play in the OF, & the consensus is Lee should be at 3B, what do they do? Lots of people here say, just trade Julien for a pitcher………. his bat is valuable - his contract status is valuable - he’s reached neutral & getting better at 2B……only starting year 2.

An option that may make sense for later this year or more likely in ‘25, move Lewis to 1B. Low physical stress - great glove & mobility at that corner - an everyday home for him. Kirilloff spells him 25 games per year & plays LF regularly……..Lewis could rest Lee as well & Kirilloff or other then plays 1B.

Lee - CC - Julien - Lewis on the dirt is pretty good as well as at the plate!

Possible?

I would think we would see Julien move to 1B before Lewis.