Passing The Torch

When September rolls around I'm hoping to see one more guy join the Three Musketeers, to form The Fantastic Four Outfielders. Talkin' Der Kid, the Keplermeister. Maximus Ohreallyus Keplermundo. Four men, accidentally exposed to cosmic rays, and now exhibiting strange baseball super powers. Watch as these young heroes defend the honor of the Northland... Ford dealerships, in their quest for the legendary, um, cup or something. He shoots he scores!

I think that it would only be to Buxtons overall benefit to be in the majors as long as possible to end this season, even if he doesn't start next season in the majors. He needs to know what its like at that level, and then let it marinade over the offseason. 

I think before the end of the month Hunter will end up on the 15 day DL with some sort of ailment. It would allow Buxton to come up and play every day while Hunter could still be in the dugout every day and traveling with the team to work with the younger players. If the Twins did make the playoff's both players could be on the Playoff roster if Buxton is here prior to September 1st.

I see a movie in the near future :-)

I am not sure why we would wait until the AAA season ends. Not the right priority IMO.

Something.....something....curveballs, I think. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/confused/dunno-smiley-emoticon.gif

So you're saying Buxton should be brought back up AAA-sap? 

The expectation is that Buxton will rejoin the Twins when rosters expand – maybe on September 1st or maybe a week later when the Red Wings season ends. Buck might not play every day, and doesn't need to, but should get plenty of time in center with Aaron Hicks spelling Hunter and Eddie Rosario in the outfield corners. The benefit there is twofold, because Hicks needs to get used to playing in left and right if he's going to stick around in Minnesota.
 

What?!?!?  What have you got against Hicks?  Has he not consistently continued to develop this year into a player that is deserving of regular playing time in CF?

ATM:  Buxton is well deserving of a Sept call-up.  Reasons:

1. You don't take a player on an incredible hot streak away from an MiLB affiliate prior to their playoffs.  As an organizational man, would you want a lot of empty seats in Rochester?  How mad would the locals be?
2. 11 games, 47 AB's.  Not sure on what sample size is appropriate..........

This has been a great discovery year for the Twins, giving them a clear picture of what they have and what they need.  I don't really expect them to be in the hunt after this next set of series.  Let Buxton hang out in Rochester and pad his stats.  In Sept, since there's a lot more roster room, bring him up with ABW, Kepler, among others.  They're the one's that get to rotate, for what he has done this year, Aaron Hicks is the deserving starter.

Hicks makes some highlight-worthy plays, but he also makes some huge blunders. As just one example, he gave up a "triple" (really it was an error) in the second inning of May's start that would have been easily caught by most CF, because he misplayed it.  Then the next batter hit a 2 run homer.  He's far from a perfect defender, and he's not as fast as Buxton. Buxton has more defensive upside, so assuming he is hitting well enough to be in the lineup, he should be playing CF.

I was at the game, that was a truly brutal play in CF.

What?!?!?  What have you got against Hicks?  Has he not consistently continued to develop this year into a player that is deserving of regular playing time in CF?

 

ATM:  Buxton is well deserving of a Sept call-up.  Reasons:

1. You don't take a player on an incredible hot streak away from an MiLB affiliate prior to their playoffs.  As an organizational man, would you want a lot of empty seats in Rochester?  How mad would the locals be?
2. 11 games, 47 AB's.  Not sure on what sample size is appropriate..........

This has been a great discovery year for the Twins, giving them a clear picture of what they have and what they need.  I don't really expect them to be in the hunt after this next set of series.  Let Buxton hang out in Rochester and pad his stats.  In Sept, since there's a lot more roster room, bring him up with ABW, Kepler, among others.  They're the one's that get to rotate, for what he has done this year, Aaron Hicks is the deserving starter.

Hicks is living off a .417 BABIP against LHP. That, is completely unsustainable. Once those numbers decline, his .634 OPS against RHP will carry a lot more weight. Plus, Buxton is by far a better defender. 

I'll take Buxton right now, all day long. 

I think the best players should be on the major league roster as long as there is a chance to make the playoffs. Sorry Rochester and Chattanooga, but you have to make a run for it when you get the chance. Buxton, Berrios and Kepler would help the major league team win. Once you are in the playoffs, anything can happen. The Twins have been in the World Series only three times in over 50 years. 45 games to play....get your best guys on the field and go for it. One streak is all they need.

I think the best players should be on the major league roster as long as there is a chance to make the playoffs. Sorry Rochester and Chattanooga, but you have to make a run for it when you get the chance. Buxton, Berrios and Kepler would help the major league team win. Once you are in the playoffs, anything can happen. The Twins have been in the World Series only three times in over 50 years. 45 games to play....get your best guys on the field and go for it. One streak is all they need.

Agreed on all fronts.

And I am not sure why we need Buxton's loyalty to the AAA team.  He has played on the big league team as long as he has at AAA this year.

I think before the end of the month Hunter will end up on the 15 day DL with some sort of ailment. It would allow Buxton to come up and play every day while Hunter could still be in the dugout every day and traveling with the team to work with the younger players. If the Twins did make the playoff's both players could be on the Playoff roster if Buxton is here prior to September 1st.

I like this idea as it allows playing time to the young guys and allows Torii a graceful way to walk off into the sunset without looking as if he's being benched. Can we do the same for Mauer? As mentioned before on TD, why can't Mauer get hurt in a year in which he's hurting the Twins?

The only thing Buxton's stint in AAA has told me is "Byron's thumb is healed and his timing wasn't affected by the injury".

 

And really, that's all we needed to know. If he's not up before the end of August, that's... not smart. Every game matters and while I appreciate what Sugar Shane has done for the team this season, he shouldn't get in Buxton's way if Byron is ready to play.

Two of our other four OF can play CF.  So too can two INF in a pinch.  Sugar Shane.  Great guy.  Good teammate I am sure.  But it is time.

Looking out to next year, we could break camp with Hicks, Buxton, and Rosario in the OF mix. Please, please don't reserve a roster spot for a weak hitting versatile OF that can't hit.  We have enough versatility.

Yep. The 2016 fourth outfielder should be a thumper. Whether that's Arcia or another guy, I don't really care (though obviously Oswaldo should get the first shot at the job).

Can swing between DH, LF, and bench.  You can get by with Arcia in LF with a ground ball pitcher on the mound.  Like Gibson.

 If we are moving Plouffe off of 3B, I would have to assume he has more value to the Twins in a trade rather than moving him to a crowded OF situation, especially with a long contract looming or more than likely 6+M in arbitration or a 1 year deal.

My initial thoughts were identical.  I am guessing Hicks and Rosario play better defense out there with a similar bat, and less expensive too.

Hicks is living off a .417 BABIP against LHP. That, is completely unsustainable. Once those numbers decline, his .634 OPS against RHP will carry a lot more weight. Plus, Buxton is by far a better defender. 

 

I'll take Buxton right now, all day long. 

Your assumptions are: 

1. Hicks BABIP against LHP must go down
2. Hicks hitting against RHP stays the same.

I dispute both points. 

Statistics are a single point in time:  per AB, per game, per month, per season, etc.  It's not totally unrealistic that Hicks can sustain that BABIP.  Limited AB's from his natural swing against a limited number of LHP's. 

#2: That's an assumption that he can not improve.  Hicks has improved this year and I see no reason why that suddenly stops.  Just like I don't assume what Buxton can be based on 11 games at AAA.

Your assumptions are: 

1. Hicks BABIP against LHP must go down
2. Hicks hitting against RHP stays the same.

I dispute both points. 

 

Statistics are a single point in time:  per AB, per game, per month, per season, etc.  It's not totally unrealistic that Hicks can sustain that BABIP.  Limited AB's from his natural swing against a limited number of LHP's. 

 

#2: That's an assumption that he can not improve.  Hicks has improved this year and I see no reason why that suddenly stops.  Just like I don't assume what Buxton can be based on 11 games at AAA.

1. Miguel Cabrera has a career BABIP of .348. Evenly split .348 vs. right and left handers

2. Miguel Cabrea >>>>>>> Aaron Hicks

Aaron Hicks will not over any length of time have a BABIP of .417 in any matchup