SHows the joys of having players start their careers at an early age. Development time. And the outfield: who from the current trio do you keep - Kepler, Buxton, Rosario. Rosario has put up some pretty fine numbers, might prove to be a better bat than Sano overall. Speaking of: Sano. Hoe much, how long.

 

Of course, a decent contract doesn't always work out. Seems you could hardly give away Dozier going into last season. Now he's a real bargain and, unless he totally tanks (think Plouffe) could garner bigger bucks going forth.

 

Who are the real prospects in the wings. For the sake of the team, knowing that you have control of a player for 3-4 years is wonderful news. Of course, arbitration also gives you that comfort, sometimes at a greater cost. Some players are worth more than their arbitration price in the longrun, some are worth...less.

 

I'm hoping Buxton shows his stuff as a lead-off batter (replacing Dozier, who should be deserving of a 2-3 year extension with the Twins -- of course, depending on monies). 

 

But this might be the perfect front office. We will know for sure when the Mauer decision is made at some point. And if they vastly empty the vault for Davish.

Buxton's personality us one that would sign an extention through his arbitration years and is nice enough to maybe add a 1 year of free agency to that extention. Depends on hiw badly he wants to play closer to home. I think once your approaching 100 million with him he is not the type of person to push for the extra dollar as much as a great environment to be in. He is Minnesota nice from the south.

Why do I see Lewis at CF vs SS?  Wander Javier.

Uffda! Deciding about Buxton based on two players, the older of whom just turned 19, panning out as hoped?

 

As I said, you and I would take different routes, and in the end that's OK. I don't believe in even state-of-the-art forecasting skills quite strongly enough where extreme youngsters are concerned, apparently. I'd ink Buxton, if he's willing, and deal with the too-many-up-the-middle-stars problem later.

Uffda! Deciding about Buxton based on two players, the older of whom just turned 19, panning out as hoped?

 

As I said, you and I would take different routes, and in the end that's OK. I don't believe in even state-of-the-art forecasting skills quite strongly enough where extreme youngsters are concerned, apparently. I'd ink Buxton, if he's willing, and deal with the too-many-up-the-middle-stars problem later.

if Lewis/Javier work out, also having Buxton would be a fantastic problem to have.

 

If Lewis/Javier don't work out, NOT having Buxton becomes a huge issue.

 

In short, Javier/Lewis have zero to do with signing Buxton.

I think you start by asking what his defense is worth a year.

 

Then add speed in the bases.

 

If you quantify those things, 6-80 makes a lot of sense. The Twins are protected from this deal being a flop even if he has an OPS of .720 through the life of the deal.

 

Heck, if he is a 2-3 WAR player defensively and 1 WAR is worth $7m a year, then it sounds like a huge bargain.

I think you start by asking what his defense is worth a year.

 

Then add speed in the bases.

 

If you quantify those things, 6-80 makes a lot of sense. The Twins are protected from this deal being a flop even if he has an OPS of .720 through the life of the deal.

 

Heck, if he is a 2-3 WAR player defensively and 1 WAR is worth $7m a year, then it sounds like a huge bargain.

Why would Buxton sign that? No way,imo, he signs for that little.