Byron Buxton Career Poll

[cHawk]

I've attached a poll where you can select multiple answers. Choose all of the choices which apply to you.

[bean5302]

I'd like to trade Buxton to a team offering a center fielder option and prospects back. I was intrigued when the Yankees said they were exploring Buxton before the trade deadline. I could see a creative scenario where the Twins Buxton for Hicks and a couple prospects.

[mikelink45]

I see that the team is telling Martin they want to see him in CF.  I think the Twins are moving on. 

[bean5302]

I saw that, too. The more I see written about Martin, the more obvious it is he doesn't have the legitimate ability to play center field at the MLB level. He's graded with 50 speed and 50 arm. Unless the scouting on his speed is way off, he's not going to offer decent defense in CF.

I was thinking about this the other day, though. Maybe defense doesn't matter anymore at any position? Since so few balls are actually put into play now that we have such a high level of 3 outcome batters, having fielders who are well suited to play the positions to which they're assigned may not matter much.

[Brock Beauchamp]

24 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I saw that, too. The more I see written about Martin, the more obvious it is he doesn't have the legitimate ability to play center field at the MLB level. He's graded with 50 speed and 50 arm. Unless the scouting on his speed is way off, he's not going to offer decent defense in CF.

I was thinking about this the other day, though. Maybe defense doesn't matter anymore at any position? Since so few balls are actually put into play now that we have such a high level of 3 outcome batters, having fielders who are well suited to play the positions to which they're assigned may not matter much.

What I’ve wondered is how much infield defense matters in the TTO era. Given the focus on launch angle and extra bases, outfield defense is still likely significant. I’m less convinced the same is true to infield defense, particularly in a shift-heavy game. 

[Vanimal46]

I want to believe in a scenario where Buxton is healthy for 120+ games. If not, someone should make a documentary about it. 

If he ends up being available for 120+ games, I think he will end up being in the MVP race. He built mass to be a bigger threat at the plate, and I wouldn’t bet against him losing much of his defensive value in the next 2-3 years. 

[bean5302]

47 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I want to believe in a scenario where Buxton is healthy for 120+ games. If not, someone should make a documentary about it. 

If he ends up being available for 120+ games, I think he will end up being in the MVP race. He built mass to be a bigger threat at the plate, and I wouldn’t bet against him losing much of his defensive value in the next 2-3 years. 

Buxton doesn't generally produce at an MVP level so I can't see him being in the discussion at 120 games. I know fans here like to quote bWAR for Buxton because when his fWAR is reviewed, he's barely All Star caliber. In my opinion, bWAR is broken for Buxton. His defensive value and value at the plate just don't reconcile with his bWAR, and it's already been adjusted down once. He's just not that good. 150 games at center field for Buxton = 1.25 wins + 1.50 wins for elite defense. The rest is his bat which is a bit above average, maybe wRC+ 115ish which would struggle to see Buxton even at 5.0 fWAR.

[Major League Ready]

It's really hard to say what will be his career going forward.  How much should we put into the small sample size this year where he was one of the top players in the league when he was on the field.  How much will he be on the field?  I just don't know what we should think which certainly complicates putting together an extension.  Yet, I hope they find a good comprise on incentives that keeps him here without crippling the team if he does not produce.

[Craig Arko]

I think the Rally Monkey will help Byron have the greatest year of his career in 2022.

[puckstopper1]

15 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I'd like to trade Buxton to a team offering a center fielder option and prospects back. I was intrigued when the Yankees said they were exploring Buxton before the trade deadline. I could see a creative scenario where the Twins Buxton for Hicks and a couple prospects.

I'd like the Twins to trade Buxton to the Yankee also.  They can keep Hicks however and between the two of them they *MIGHT* get 100 games combined starts per season while paying them a wheelbarrow full of cash to occupy the IL.

[tony&rodney]

Buxton holds enormous value to any team with his unique skill set: speed, power, and instincts. Of course, the level of frustration is really high for the Twins and their fans because of the number of games where Byron actually suits up and plays. Buxton is the most frustrated of all. The injuries are annoying and they are all different. However, every team looks for one player with massive talent and the Twins have that player in Byron Buxton. A long term commitment is a gamble but his health and production could turn to MVP status; this can happen. A player with 50 speed will never cut it in CF, not even with good instincts. The best centerfielders all had great speed and that includes some Twins like Jimmie Hall, Kirby Puckett, Torii Hunter, and a few others. One must really be confused about the importance of good defense to believe that Cave or others will work for more than 20 games per year. Perhaps Royce Lewis becomes the CF option, but Austin Martin is unlikely in that position. The Twins need Byron Buxton to heal and play consistently if there is to be a return to relevant baseball at Target Field. The Twins should plan on Buxton to be in centerfield next season. 

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, puckstopper1 said:

I'd like the Twins to trade Buxton to the Yankee also.  They can keep Hicks however and between the two of them they *MIGHT* get 100 games combined starts per season while paying them a wheelbarrow full of cash to occupy the IL.

I'm not excited about Hicks either, but the Twins need a CF for a couple years. I have no faith in Martin as a CF based on his physical tool grades, and well, I just don't the front office having much in the way of direction. Royce Lewis has the athleticism for CF, but he's getting old without the experience to go along with the age and the most recent experience he has isn't inspiring. Hicks isn't terribly expensive and I'm sure NY would be willing to eat a big portion of the contract... or the Twins could take it on and sweeten the prospect return. That's provided NY is actually interested much in Buxton, which they may not be. 

In any case, that's the kind of trade I'd like to see the Twins make.

[TheLeviathan]

120?  How about we just consistently get 100 out of the man?

I hope they find a way to creatively resign him, but I find it twice as likely his career ends early due to injuries than he ever wins an MVP.