Is This Process Worth the Results for Byron Buxton?

[JD-TWINS]

44 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

The thing that made Willi so valuable last year was that he could play almost anywhere, but wasn't assigned to any one role. I hope he isn't the six-day-a-week center fielder, but rather starts games at third, in left and in center with some of the other players also moving around. It also probably wouldn't hurt to give Correa a bit more rest than he would like, with Castro playing short on those days. 

Why would it matter if he’s playing CF 600 innings or LF & CF 300 each? He hits from either side. Seems continuity is good for him and others around him - right?

Margot - Martin can play right & left. Kirilloff - Larnach - Kepler LF & RF.

With Correa back - Miranda hitting well for now and remaining on roster at least until Lewis is back & Farmer/Martin available for 3B/2B platoon……….it seems Castro is the natural choice in CF.

[JD-TWINS]

38 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

I'd like to point out that in the year of our Lord 2024 a .242 batting average is no longer considered below average.

I agree - not thrilled with a .242 average but it’s slightly better than his declining career average. He hit .205 or something last year, with no legs under him.

Gotta assume, even though it’s a real drag, that most here had to be just waiting for Byron to suffer some issue with health!

I have no problem with his performance this year - been available - a spark at times (involved in scoring with Kepler’s help twice this week late in games) - 10 XBH in April translates to 60 for the year…….decent production. He had a .8 WAR for the first month - translates to 4.5 - 5.0 for the year. SOLID!

Hope he’s back sooner than later!!

[stringer bell]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Why would it matter if he’s playing CF 600 innings or LF & CF 300 each? He hits from either side. Seems continuity is good for him and others around him - right?

Margot - Martin can play right & left. Kirilloff - Larnach - Kepler LF & RF.

With Correa back - Miranda hitting well for now and remaining on roster at least until Lewis is back & Farmer/Martin available for 3B/2B platoon……….it seems Castro is the natural choice in CF.

IMHO Castro is a far better left fielder than he is in center. Some guys are like that. I think Martin can develop into a really good center fielder who also would be fine in left. Frankly, I don't trust the hitting of Miranda. A week ago, he was hitting .200 with weak exit velocities and little plate discipline. I'm not ready for the team to hand him the keys at third base although he's looked okay there for the last several days.

[JD-TWINS]

Just now, stringer bell said:

IMHO Castro is a far better left fielder than he is in center. Some guys are like that. I think Martin can develop into a really good center fielder who also would be fine in left. Frankly, I don't trust the hitting of Miranda. A week ago, he was hitting .200 with weak exit velocities and little plate discipline. I'm not ready for the team to hand him the keys at third base although he's looked okay there for the last several days.

Whether CF is Castro’s BEST position isn’t the question. Martin has Zero power and was hitting .226 in his first stint. Castro isn’t displacing Larnach or Kirilloff in LF v. RH pitching so Martin can start in CF. Not happening unless it’s a must need rest day.

Castro was hitting .150 11 days ago but is now up to .273. Not necessarily a model of consistency - he did hit around .258 last year. I’m not a huge believer in the Miranda project either but he’s starting to soften my opinion with his bat & his defense.

What’s desired and what makes most practical sense is my argument. Martin doesn’t hit well enough right now to play every day CF, particularly with Castro as an option.

[DJL44]

Buxton may not be an MVP but they're only paying him like an average CF so I think people may just need to adjust their expectations.

[Ted Schwerzler]

1 hour ago, dxpavelka said:

I'd like to point out that in the year of our Lord 2024 a .242 batting average is no longer considered below average.

But a .691 OPS is.

[RpR]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Frankly, I don't trust the hitting of Miranda. A week ago, he was hitting .200 with weak exit velocities and little plate discipline. I'm not ready for the team to hand him the keys at third base although he's looked okay there for the last several days.

When Lewis returns , he is the odd man out.