Are the Twins Using Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa Optimally?

[Cody Christie]

On Saturday, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa were in the same lineup for the first time in the season’s second half. So, are the Twins optimizing their star players as they return from injury?

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

As the Twins enter the final stretch of their playoff push, they are navigating the return of two of their biggest stars, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. Both players, having dealt with lingering injuries throughout the season, have been strategically slotted into the lower part of the lineup, a move that may seem surprising given their status. However, a deeper look at the Twins' strategy reveals a cautious yet calculated approach to managing their health.

Buxton and Correa, normally fixtures at the top of the Twins' lineup, have returned to more modest spots in the batting order upon returning from injury. On Saturday, the two stars were slotted into the fifth and sixth spots in the batting order. Buxton has battled a hip injury in recent weeks, while Correa is playing through a painful bout of plantar fasciitis. By placing these stars in lower slots, manager Rocco Baldelli is signaling a desire to ease them back into the grind of regular play without putting too much immediate pressure on them. 

One significant factor in this lineup adjustment could be to provide the Twins with flexibility. By batting Buxton and Correa lower, Baldelli can remove them from games earlier if the situation allows. For a team aiming for October success, preserving the health of their stars down the stretch is crucial. Buxton has historically struggled to stay on the field, and Correa's foot condition has been a day-to-day concern. Giving them fewer plate appearances could reduce the risk of aggravating their injuries while allowing other, healthier players to step up.

While their presence on the field offers a clear advantage from a talent standpoint, the emotional boost that typically accompanies the return of cornerstone players has been more muted in this instance. In past years, Buxton's return from injury would inject a surge of energy into the clubhouse and fan base, often coinciding with solid performances. His home run on Friday night was a prime example of how he can step back into the lineup and provide an immediate boost. Both players have played at an All-Star level in 2024, but they've been limited to a combined 168 games. While their potential to contribute remains undeniable, the team is banking on other players to carry the lineup during the final weeks.

On Saturday, both Buxton and Correa were removed from the team’s blowout loss, another sign that the Twins are treading carefully with their star duo. This conservative approach continued into Sunday, as neither player was in the lineup. While Buxton and Correa are back on the roster, their health is questionable enough that Baldelli will continue monitoring their playing time when necessary.

The timing of this caution is crucial. The Twins currently sit in the final playoff spot, but they have little room for error when it comes to their postseason aspirations. Detroit, Seattle, and Boston are closing in, especially with Minnesota’s recent slump. By limiting Buxton’s and Correa’s exposure during September, the team is taking a long-term view, hoping to have both at least partially healthy for a potential playoff run.

Obviously, health is key for any team heading into October. If Buxton and Correa can avoid setbacks, they’ll likely move back into more prominent spots in the lineup during the postseason. Baldelli and the Twins' front office know that a fully operational Buxton (who can deliver Gold Glove-level defense and power) alongside a healthier Correa would elevate their chances of success. In the meantime, expect the team to handle them with care, utilizing the lower spots in the lineup to control their exposure while keeping the Twins competitive. 

The balance between maximizing their impact and managing their health will be one of Baldelli’s trickiest challenges as the regular season winds down. The Twins are hoping that these small sacrifices now—like fewer at-bats and an occasional early exit—will pay dividends when the games mean even more come October.

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Are the Twins optimally handling their star players? Should Correa and Buxton be used more for the stretch run? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Richie the Rally Goat]

Line them up with Jax and Duran to ensure wins every other day?

[Craig Arko]

I predict both will be starting tonight against the lefty in Cleveland.

[Karbo]

IMO, they better play them as much as possible over the next week. No point in "saving" them for October unless you're certainly in the playoffs. The Twins have choked away what appeared to be a sure thing a few weeks ago. No room for error now.

[NotAboutWinning]

I really hesitate to judge players when it comes to their physical well-being. But the "if they are 100% they would play" comment seems ludicrous. How many players are 100% in September?

[Sean.h]

11 minutes ago, Karbo said:

IMO, they better play them as much as possible over the next week. No point in "saving" them for October unless you're certainly in the playoffs. The Twins have choked away what appeared to be a sure thing a few weeks ago. No room for error now.

FYI Buck has a 200 OPS against the cleveland lefty in 27 ABs. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, NotAboutWinning said:

How many players are 100% in September?

Larnach clearly isn't.

[DJL44]

Batting them lower in the lineup so they can have fewer at-bats is counterintuitive. If they're hitting well you want to bat them higher in the lineup so they have more opportunities to hit. You can always remove them from the game if it is decided early.

They're batting 5th and 6th now because they haven't seen live pitching in a while. If they keep hitting well, I would move them up higher.

[Schmoeman5]

17 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Larnach clearly isn't.

But he's out there isn't he? Buxton and Correa came back for hero time. Just as predicted. Boras boys. 

[chpettit19]

If there's so much concern that they may need to, or the team may want to, remove them early from a game they should simply put them back on the IL. Either they're healthy enough to play or they aren't. If they are, put them where they best fit in the lineup.

That being said, one could make a very reasonable argument that they deserve to hit in the 5th and 6th holes because they haven't played in so long they likely aren't going to perform to their usual standards. 

That being said, Buxton homered in his return and Correa doubled in his. They certainly looked early like they're their usual selves on the field. 

I don't know the right answer to all this, but having to sit the day after playing 4 innings of baseball feels like the wrong answer. They have 13 games left in the regular season. They hold a 2.5 game lead over 2 teams, and a 4.5 game lead over a team they have a 3 game series against at the end of this week. If they need to sit after playing 4 entire innings I'm not sure they're really more valuable to this team than having a full roster of playable guys. Especially when you add Lewis and his inability to play every day as well. If your strategy is to maximize your roster by being able to play matchups and put guys (see Margot, Manuel and Farmer, Kyle) into ideal situations where they don't have to face competition you know they can't beat then having 3 position player roster spots dedicated to guys who are so limited in their playing time is probably a bad call. 

It's go time. Full go. Pull them from blowouts, for sure. But then you can't sit them the next day. If they're that hurt still put them back on the IL. There's nothing left to save them for. You have 13 games. It's time to put them in there and see where the cards fall. If you can't just play them then put them back on the IL and try to matchup your way to the playoffs.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

It has only been a few days.  Time will tell if the Twins are handling this correctly.

With the way this offense has been playing, 75% of Buxton/Correa is better than nothing.

[LambchoP]

They are not being used optimally if they aren't being used lol. Seriously, Correa needed a day off after only playing four innings the day before? It really is sad we have to baby our top paid players seemingly every year. Look at Larnach. Clearly he's playing hurt, but he's still out there hitting every day, doing whatever he can for the team. We need more guys with that kind of drive and heart. Not super rich guys who decide they need months off Everytime they wake up a little sore....

[old nurse]

Batting fifth or sixth is no different than earlier in the lineup. They would be reduced stress if they were batting  in the number 8 and 9 slot. 

If two runners get on in the first inning, and have not scored the pressure is on the 5 hitter if there are still runners on when 6 comes up, there is still pressure. 

After the first inning the exact place in the lineup becomes less relevant. Without the 40-50 HR type ibatting cleanup, the cleaning crew falls to the next hitters 

[Road trip]

Proper lineup spots for Buxton and Correa?  Eh, who can tell.  Under Rocco the lineup is never the same day to day anyway.

The production expectations the next two weeks between Lewis, Wallner, Larnach, Miranda, Santana, Correa, and Buxton are pretty similar anyway.  You could even add Jeffers to the list.  At this point next week I expect a couple of them to be hitting well, a couple of them to be in slumps, and at least four of them to be playing hurt if they are playing at all. 

There is no Judge or Witt Jr type of hitter to build a lineup around, but the lineup will have pretty good depth no matter how you arrange it.  All have some power.  Most strike out more than ideal.  None of them is a natural leadoff hitter, and none can run very well other than Buxton (if he were healthy).  You could just about throw the names in a hat and draw them out randomly for the batting orders this week and be just as likely to get it right as if you went into a deep statistical analysis.  I really don't care where they hit...I just hope they are somewhere in the lineup as much as possible.

[chpettit19]

54 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

But he's out there isn't he? Buxton and Correa came back for hero time. Just as predicted. Boras boys. 

Byron Buxton is not a Scott Boras client. If you're going to question a man's character at least do it based on proper information.

[Schmoeman5]

11 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Byron Buxton is not a Scott Boras client. If you're going to question a man's character at least do it based on proper information.

Oh. I'm sorry! I got the agent wrong.  If they can't play every day. Why were they brought back? They get mad at a Kirilloff or Ryan for hiding an injury and trying to play through it. And now they're asking the stars to do just that. Knowingly. What happens if something happens to them that may affect their health in the future. Riddle me that

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

With the way this offense has been playing, 75% of Buxton/Correa is better than nothing.

50% of Buxton/Correa is probably better than Helman/Keirsey

[DJL44]

43 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Look at Larnach. Clearly he's playing hurt, but he's still out there hitting every day, doing whatever he can for the team. 

He's playing poorly. He can't score from 2B on a single and he almost got thrown out on a double to the wall because he had to jog to 2B. He looks like a 50+ year old beer league softball player who crushes a ball to the fence, jogs to 1B and then has his kid pinch run for him.

[chpettit19]

12 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Oh. I'm sorry! I got the agent wrong.  If they can't play every day. Why were they brought back? They get mad at a Kirilloff or Ryan for hiding an injury and trying to play through it. And now they're asking the stars to do just that. Knowingly. What happens if something happens to them that may affect their health in the future. Riddle me that

I questioned them being brought back if they can't play everyday. So I'm in agreement there.

Why is Trevor playing through an injury now, but didn't in previous seasons when he was hurt during the middle of the season? Hero time for him, too?

[Schmoeman5]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

I questioned them being brought back if they can't play everyday. So I'm in agreement there.

Why is Trevor playing through an injury now, but didn't in previous seasons when he was hurt during the middle of the season? Hero time for him, too?

Yep

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Yep

Was that just as predicted? Is he a "Boras boy," too? You making any implications that he has questionable character? What happens to him if something happens that effects his health in the future? Would the team be better off with someone who can play the field and run the bases or should they keep Trevor in the lineup for him to attempt to play hero even though he doesn't care about playing midseason games when he's this hurt?

[Schmoeman5]

10 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Was that just as predicted? Is he a "Boras boy," too? You making any implications that he has questionable character? What happens to him if something happens that effects his health in the future? Would the team be better off with someone who can play the field and run the bases or should they keep Trevor in the lineup for him to attempt to play hero even though he doesn't care about playing midseason games when he's this hurt?

That's why I agreed with you. What's your question? Isn't a 1 word response good enough?

[Fire Dan Gladden]

31 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I questioned them being brought back if they can't play everyday. So I'm in agreement there.

Why is Trevor playing through an injury now, but didn't in previous seasons when he was hurt during the middle of the season? Hero time for him, too?

I think a main difference between Kiriloff and Larnach is knowledge.  Larnach's injury is known and there is a conscious decision for him to try to play through it.

The level of injury is also a factor here.  Comparing this year's injury to previous years is not an apple to apple comparison.

[bean5302]

We're seeing Buxton and Correa because the Saints' season is over, and because the Twins don't have what they consider a good CF or SS behind them on the roster. I don't know if Buxton and Correa are being used optimally, but it sure feels like the team has to hope they can play well enough.

[chpettit19]

33 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

That's why I agreed with you. What's your question? Isn't a 1 word response good enough?

Just wanted to see you say it since you like to act like the stars are doing something different than the rest of them. Glad to know you hold Trevor to the same standards.

[chpettit19]

19 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

I think a main difference between Kiriloff and Larnach is knowledge.  Larnach's injury is known and there is a conscious decision for him to try to play through it.

The level of injury is also a factor here.  Comparing this year's injury to previous years is not an apple to apple comparison.

There's a lot of factors. Agreed that knowing vs not knowing is very different. Was Ryan getting treatment for a groin injury the team knew nothing about? Why would he be? I assume Larnach is getting treatment for whatever ails him.

I'm just pushing back on the idea of "hero time" as if it's them just deciding they want to be seen as the conquering hero so they sat out until now. The season is almost over. There's nothing left to heal up for. That's a very different situation than going on the IL in June where you're planning to heal and be back. Playing through injury for 3 months is very different than playing hurt for 2 weeks. But people don't like to always acknowledge that and would prefer to say things like "Byron and Carlos can't be bothered to play" and suggest they're only coming back now because they can/will be seen as the hero. They're coming back now because there's no time left. They've healed as much as they can so it's either try to play now or pack it in. 

And I'd argue that if they can't play the day after playing 4 innings they should just pack it in.

[Riverbrian]

We got Buxton back on Friday and we lost. 

We had Buxton and Correa back on Saturday and we lost. 

Sunday... they both sat out and we win. 

I'm not diminishing the importance of Buxton and Correa by pointing that out. I'm not saying that Buxton and Correa out is why we won. 

Those two are very important but why I'm pointing out is this. 

It's a team game. Just having them on the field means nothing,,, if the other 24 players are not getting the job done.

We need everyone to step up... Offense, defense. bullpen, starters... right here.. right now. We are trying to make the playoffs and in order to do that... we need to realize that we are in the playoffs right now. 

Cleveland is going to throw two left handed starters at us. They have two more in the bullpen. 

[Mike Sixel]

5 hours ago, Sean.h said:

FYI Buck has a 200 OPS against the cleveland lefty in 27 ABs. 

Meaningless. 

I have no idea if they are using them optimally...... No one does.

[KirbyDome89]

3 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

It has only been a few days.  Time will tell if the Twins are handling this correctly.

With the way this offense has been playing, 75% of Buxton/Correa is better than nothing.

 

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

50% of Buxton/Correa is probably better than Helman/Keirsey

You can set whatever health percentage you want, but the tradeoff isn't nothing. You're giving up 2 roster spots the following game (or 1.5 games) that could be utilized by healthy players. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

1 hour ago, KirbyDome89 said:

 

You can set whatever health percentage you want, but the tradeoff isn't nothing. You're giving up 2 roster spots the following game (or 1.5 games) that could be utilized by healthy players. 

You have to consider the quality of the "healthy" player vs Buxton/Correa.  From a chance-to-win standpoint, I would take 50% of Buxton/Correa vs 100% of any of the 4A guys they have been running out lately.

Also, just because they aren't playing full-time right now doesn't mean they can't if needed.  They are trying to protect them as much as they think they can.