If Carlos Correa Has to DH Often in the Second Half, Will the Twins Lineup Be Able to Handle It?

[Cody Schoenmann]

Undergoing his second bout with plantar fasciitis in consecutive seasons, the Twins star shortstop could take on a limited role in the second half of the season. That could mean him being the designated hitter more often. Were that to happen, though, it would force some other changes to the team's lineup.

Image courtesy of © John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

 

After being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his left foot on May 24, 2023, Carlos Correa played in 91 games, slashing .238/.317/.400, with 82 hits, 12 home runs, and a 98 wRC+ over 388 plate appearances. Those who follow the Twins admired Correa's efforts, as he played an integral role in winning the AL Central and ending their 18-game playoff losing streak and 19-year playoff series losing streak. However, the team's star veteran started all 91 remaining regular season games and six postseason games at shortstop, while (interestingly) never spending time at designated hitter.

In theory, a player suffering from constant pain in their left foot would want to spend as little time as possible standing and needing to put weight on and shift their feet. Yet, that is not the path Correa and the Twins decision-makers deemed most suitable last season. However, with the 2024 All-Star being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot last week, the team and Correa could elect to take a more conservative approach toward combating the same podiatric ailment. After all, last year's strategy didn't work especially well.

Luckily, the Twins' present 26-man roster construction would perfectly aid this potential course of action. If Correa were to DH more often, manager Rocco Baldelli could construct his infield in the following fashion:

• First base - Carlos Santana
• Second base - Willi Castro
• Third base - José Miranda
• Shortstop - Brooks Lee

Lee has impressed defensively in his 11 games in the majors, illustrating plus range and a strong arm at second base, third base, and shortstop. Having netted 146 1/3 innings over 17 starts at shortstop in Triple-A, the 2022 first-round pick is the best candidate to replicate Correa's mix of plus offensive and defensive production at the position highest on the defensive spectrum. If Lee were to shoulder the burden of Correa's absence from the field, Castro could remain the everyday second baseman, with Miranda patrolling third base until Royce Lewis returns from the 10-day IL.

Having this be the primary infield construction would allow the Twins to keep the driving force of the team's recent offensive explosion in the lineup nearly every game, while keeping their best player fresh and off his feet (or, more importantly, right foot) as they chase the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central crown.

Turning a star player who is offensively and defensively productive when healthy into a designated hitter has come back to bite the Twins before (hello, Byron Buxton's 2023 campaign). Yet, venturing down this path with Correa likely wouldn't hinder the team's ability to produce at the plate as a collective. When the team converted Buxton into a full-time designated hitter, there was little to no certainty in his ability to produce at the plate. On the other hand, Correa has been one of the best hitters in MLB this season, ranking 15th in MLB with a 152 wRC+ over 317 plate appearances. His bat will be valuable, if he can maintain even a watery facsimile of what we saw from him in the first half.

Correa transitioning into the primary designated hitter would also create lineup ramifications for non-infielders, though. Trevor Larnach (who has started 32 games as designated hitter) would be forced to play in the corner outfield more often, which could lead to a decrease in playing time, as defensively superior options Matt Wallner and Max Kepler are getting the bulk of playing time in left and right field, respectively. Also, Correa taking the bulk of opportunities at designated hitter would likely turn Ryan Jeffers into a pure backup catcher, as he is defensively inferior to Christian Vázquez and has undergone a substantial slump at the plate since late April. However, transitioning Larnach, Jeffers, and potentially Wallner and Kepler into more limited roles wouldn't necessarily be a negative development. It would just be a big set of changes for Baldelli to manage.

Also, the Twins lineup is much better than the unit Buxton was expected to headline last season. At this point last season, the Twins ranked 19th in MLB with a 96 wRC+. In comparison, the team currently ranks fourth in MLB with a 113 wRC+. A team once relying on players the likes of Jeffers, Edouard Julien, Donovan Solano, and Alex Kirilloff has transformed into being able to trust their star players, Correa and Buxton; the resurgent Miranda; a first-time All-Star in Castro; and a hot rookie, in Lee. They can slide Correa from the top of the defensive spectrum to the bottom of it without losing much, unless and until Lewis and Miranda are both healthy at the same time again. By then, maybe this problem will have subsided a bit for Correa.

The Twins have the infield depth and offensive firepower necessary to keep Correa off his feet and keep him fresh for a late-season postseason push. Team decision-makers should strongly consider benefitting from this advantageous position to avoid potentially making the 29-year-old veteran's second bout with plantar fasciitis worse and reverting his ability to produce at the plate back to his lackluster 2023 form.

 

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[mikelink45]

This is reasonable, but far from ideal.  The plantar fasciitis will bother Correa at the plate and when he runs the bases.  It is not a cure for the ailment and might not be a positive for the team.  Fasciitis often requires different shoes and supports.  The best idea is to get rid of the spikes and put something else on his feet.

[JD-TWINS]

IMO, unless there is other information, Julien seems to make sense for the 26-man right now.

Miranda & Castro would maintain position flexibility along with Lee. I think it would be good to slot Lee at 3B every day other than when Miranda might start to give him rest…..every 5th day?

I do not understand carrying Camargo on the 26-man after going 260 games over the past 270 games with 2 catchers on the roster. 

After hearing Correa’s comments just before the Break, regarding his hindsight move for last year would have been more rest early on, seems he should take a 10-day IL stint as well, on top of the last 7 days off. Could make it retroactive so it’s not more than a few more days.

Martin the 26th guy soon? Any Miranda update?

[Doctor Gast]

16 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

This is reasonable, but far from ideal.  The plantar fasciitis will bother Correa at the plate and when he runs the bases.  It is not a cure for the ailment and might not be a positive for the team.  Fasciitis often requires different shoes and supports.  The best idea is to get rid of the spikes and put something else on his feet.

As I stated before I suffered from plantar fasciitis a short time ago. As I tried to keep up my walking the pain became excruciating. I could hardly stand. I can't fathom how Correa was able to play through it. I relinquished my walking for 2 days & got extra cushioned insoles. After that, my pain went away w/o any other treatment except my own of cold, hot, stretching &  massages.

Correa suffers much more impact on his heels to where he has contusions. Although rest, extra cushion for his heels & treatment can do wonders, IDK if it'd be enough to combat totally the problem. My advice is the same as I have for Buxton, if he's not good enough to play the field, he's not good enough to DH. Because  Correa's hitting suffers more from this than his fielding. So instead of putting him at DH, just rest him.

His willingness to seek rest instead of plowing through it. Encourages me that he's on the right track.

[tony&rodney]

The offense will need to get in tune starting today. Cleveland and other teams will be pushing every day. The Twins looked tired in San Francisco. Lee has been in a bit of a slump and may be needed at shortstop. It will be interesting to see the lineup tonight. Frddy Peralta is a good pitcher. I think we see Julien back at second base. 

Whatever transpires with the lineup, the Twins will need to hit their way into the playoffs. While I like the pitching overall, the staff is more set up to hold opponents to 3-4 runs and does not project as a group that throws shutouts or hold offenses to one or two runs. I'm expecting an AL Central Division title and the Twins start 5 games back with a deficit in head to head wins versus Cleveland. Should be fun.

[Parfigliano]

More rest less trying to  bulldoze through the fasciitis like last year.

[karcherd]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

I do not understand carrying Camargo on the 26-man after going 260 games over the past 270 games with 2 catchers on the roster. 

According to Rocco, they felt Farmer was the third catcher and that is why he wanted Camargo.  I don't think you can waste limited roster space for a 3rd catcher and I also fear that Farmer will not be going anywhere when he is back.  All for a scenario that probably has a less than 1% chance of occurring.

[DJL44]

I'm not worried about the lineup as much as the defense

[LambchoP]

As far as our infield goes, I think they need to put either Miranda or Lewis at 1b with the other playing 3rd. An infield of Miranda at 1st, Lee at 2nd, Correa at SS and Lewis at 3rd. Julien can backup and platoon 1b/3rd and Castro or Martin can backup up the middle. Santana will be gone after this year so putting one of Lewis or Miranda at first might be the only way to get all their bats in the lineup at once.

[dxpavelka]

If this front office / manager is to be commended for anything it would be for having assembled a team with multiple guys who can play multiple positions.  Lee is a fully capable replacement for at least three positions.  Miranda for two.  Castro for at least 5.  Kiriloff can play multiple.  Too bad he can't hit big league pitching for extended periods of time or stay healthy when he does.  Austin Martin might just be another Swiss Army Knife.  Even Buxton can DH one or two days a week and seemingly not suffer offensively or defensively. Having multiple guys who can take a day or two off a week and play two or three (or more) positions gives you enough options that your offense (and hopefully defense) will seldom suffer from the loss of one (or more?) guys for short periods of time. Such a lineup can be somewhat slump proof as well.  Also allows for sitting certain guys based on certain match-ups.  (Rocco's heaven).  Although as a fan it can be a little frustrating to have the number three team in the AL in runs scored and only have one (or two with injuries) All-Stars and probably only one of the top three dozen offensive players in the AL.  Guess that's why they call it a TEAM.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

31 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

As far as our infield goes, I think they need to put either Miranda or Lewis at 1b with the other playing 3rd. An infield of Miranda at 1st, Lee at 2nd, Correa at SS and Lewis at 3rd. Julien can backup and platoon 1b/3rd and Castro or Martin can backup up the middle. Santana will be gone after this year so putting one of Lewis or Miranda at first might be the only way to get all their bats in the lineup at once.

Next year is next year.  This year Santana needs to play.

The Twins will do what they have always done: slide guys around when needed.  Injuries will drive a lot of the decisions, but if Correa is out, expect more from Farmer and Martin (who will get every opportunity)

[Road trip]

1 hour ago, karcherd said:

According to Rocco, they felt Farmer was the third catcher and that is why he wanted Camargo.  I don't think you can waste limited roster space for a 3rd catcher and I also fear that Farmer will not be going anywhere when he is back.  All for a scenario that probably has a less than 1% chance of occurring.

What an odd reason. I mean, Santana may be old but he played several hundred games at catcher when he was in his 20s.  It isn't ideal, but surely he could finish off a game behind the plate in an emergency and do a passable job.

[Patzky]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

The offense will need to get in tune starting today. Cleveland and other teams will be pushing every day. The Twins looked tired in San Francisco. Lee has been in a bit of a slump and may be needed at shortstop. It will be interesting to see the lineup tonight. Frddy Peralta is a good pitcher. I think we see Julien back at second base. 

Whatever transpires with the lineup, the Twins will need to hit their way into the playoffs. While I like the pitching overall, the staff is more set up to hold opponents to 3-4 runs and does not project as a group that throws shutouts or hold offenses to one or two runs. I'm expecting an AL Central Division title and the Twins start 5 games back with a deficit in head to head wins versus Cleveland. Should be fun.

Julien didn't start for the Saints last night. I smell something's up.. especially with Miranda and Correa dinged.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, karcherd said:

According to Rocco, they felt Farmer was the third catcher and that is why he wanted Camargo.  I don't think you can waste limited roster space for a 3rd catcher and I also fear that Farmer will not be going anywhere when he is back.  All for a scenario that probably has a less than 1% chance of occurring.

Start one catcher at a time, no DHing - Camargo is a day away if something happens. Jeffers is better off getting a day off than being DH.

Can’t tie up a spot carrying a guy that you’ll avoid playing at all costs!!

Any Miranda updates? Buxton OK to go?

[arby58]

10 hours ago, LambchoP said:

As far as our infield goes, I think they need to put either Miranda or Lewis at 1b with the other playing 3rd. An infield of Miranda at 1st, Lee at 2nd, Correa at SS and Lewis at 3rd. Julien can backup and platoon 1b/3rd and Castro or Martin can backup up the middle. Santana will be gone after this year so putting one of Lewis or Miranda at first might be the only way to get all their bats in the lineup at once.

Sounds like fantasy baseball. Santana is an excellent defensive first baseman and contributes on offense as well. Neither Miranda or Lewis is a first baseman of any skill.