Article: TD Top Prospects: #1 Byron Buxton

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/2672-TD-Top-Prospects-1-Byron-Buxton

[Seth Stohs]

[video=youtube;5PDaiBZz0WM]

[Seth Stohs]

Watch this (and listen to the terrific Morgan Hawk), and just try not to smile!!

 

[video=youtube;oMB-WGGSXnM]

[Nick Nelson]

That second vid demonstrates the personality contrast between Buxton and Sano pretty well. Buck smashes a no-doubt game-winning slam, doesn't pimp it one bit. Just turns, lowers his head and claps a few times.

 

I'm not saying I have a problem with Sano's antics, there's nothing wrong with a little fire, but I have huge respect for the way Buxton operates.

[Seth Stohs]

The two (Buxton and Sano) are so different personality-wise, but it was pretty cool seeing them together, interacting. So different and yet they both respect each other so much and seem to have a fun time together. Also at Twins Fest, Sano and Meyer both talked about their relationship as well. They're quite close. So, The Big Three are all terrific and seem to all have a ton of respect for each other.

 

I don't know if this means anything or not, of course... however, I think it's one of the positives of the way that the Twins do Twins Fest. These guys get a chance to know each other before they dive head-first into baseball.

[richardkr34]

I like the one scout's comment that Buxton's floor is Torii Hunter. Think about how insane that is.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

What if he has an Aaron-Hicks-in-2013 Spring Training? I'm obviously kidding... but I think his big league debut happens sooner rather than later.

[Blackjack]

Hopefully he can stay healthy, when I watch that catch video I cringe, that extra effort will also run you into walls. Kubel was never the same after his injury.

[orangevening]

I really like how coachable, humble and the drive he has. Unlike a few other prospects we have....

[Dman]

While it is awesome to have one of the most talented prospects in baseball in our organization it is sobering to realize that we likely will only have him for 6 years after he comes up. If he is as good as advertised and as rare as this article portrays he will likely get the next Alex Rodriguez type deal. So in my mind service time for him is going to be very important. I just hope we can get our team in shape to compete while he is playing for us and not waste the time we have him on our team.

[howieramone1406390264]

While it is awesome to have one of the most talented prospects in baseball in our organization it is sobering to realize that we likely will only have him for 6 years after he comes up. If he is as good as advertised and as rare as this article portrays he will likely get the next Alex Rodriguez type deal. So in my mind service time for him is going to be very important. I just hope we can get our team in shape to compete while he is playing for us and not waste the time we have him on our team.

 

I think Buxton and Sano with receive Longoria deals. I'm sure the Twins realize we won't see another #2 pick for 10 years or so. The Pohlads pledged 50% of revenue on average will be used for payroll over time. I don't think they are burying the yearly excess in their back yard. I just believe over time hasn't arrived.

[Seth Stohs]

What if he has an Aaron-Hicks-in-2013 Spring Training? I'm obviously kidding... but I think his big league debut happens sooner rather than later.

 

Considering that Buxton, Sano and Meyer are not on the 40 man roster, there's no need to send them down early in camp, like there would be if they were on the 40 man roster. I'm thinking Gardy is going to want to see a lot of them all.

[ericchri]

What if he has an Aaron-Hicks-in-2013 Spring Training? I'm obviously kidding... but I think his big league debut happens sooner rather than later.

He got an invite to major league camp, right? Obviously they think he's on the borderline already, and while it's a long-shot, I wouldn't be shocked if he's up in May or June. If he tears up AA to start the season wouldn't you just say to yourself as the Twins FO, "might as well let him run wild in the show, he's better than everyone he's playing against otherwise."

[johnnydakota]

Considering that Buxton, Sano and Meyer are not on the 40 man roster, there's no need to send them down early in camp, like there would be if they were on the 40 man roster. I'm thinking Gardy is going to want to see a lot of them all.

 

I know I want to see a lot of them during the spring , and Hopefully all 3 of them the entire 2015 season

[tobi0040]

I think Buxton and Sano with receive Longoria deals. I'm sure the Twins realize we won't see another #2 pick for 10 years or so. The Pohlads pledged 50% of revenue on average will be used for payroll over time. I don't think they are burying the yearly excess in their back yard. I just believe over time hasn't arrived.

 

If we can overpay these guys in their first few years and get them for 7-8 years for $50-60M, we should try and do it. Buxton I hear is very frugal and humble.

[Kwak]

While it is awesome to have one of the most talented prospects in baseball in our organization it is sobering to realize that we likely will only have him for 6 years after he comes up. If he is as good as advertised and as rare as this article portrays he will likely get the next Alex Rodriguez type deal. So in my mind service time for him is going to be very important. I just hope we can get our team in shape to compete while he is playing for us and not waste the time we have him on our team.

 

I wouldn't be concerned--by then Mauer's contract will have expired. Add all of the difference between the pledged 50-52% of revenue and the present % budgeted today, and you will find plenty of available budget for both Buxton and Sano. They found the money for Mauer, Morneau, Nathan and the whole rest of the team, I have confidence that they will find it for these guys when the time comes.

[Dantes929]

I don't have much confidence that they will use all the money saved in these few years but I do have confidence that they will up payroll to 52% and maybe a little beyond if all these guys really do pan out. If they do pan out 52% will likely be a larger amount also. Twins seem to be pretty good about buying free agent years early on guys they want.

[Steve Lein]

While it is awesome to have one of the most talented prospects in baseball in our organization it is sobering to realize that we likely will only have him for 6 years after he comes up. If he is as good as advertised and as rare as this article portrays he will likely get the next Alex Rodriguez type deal. So in my mind service time for him is going to be very important. I just hope we can get our team in shape to compete while he is playing for us and not waste the time we have him on our team.

 

I think this type of concern is obviously premature, BUT, if you look 6 years from now, Mauer's current monster contract isn't on the books anymore, so in all honesty I think this concern is moot. If Sano and Buxton deserve the money, the Twins will pay it!

 

I'm predicting Buxton is the next player to join the 20-20-20-20 club (doubles, triples, HR's, SB's), and to give a perspective, only 4 players in the history of MLB are in that club.

[tobi0040]

Based on that prediction, I looked at his 3B count from last year. He had 18. Pretty crazy that he had more 3B than HR (12). Possible certainly. He should hit that mark in 2B and SB every year.

[Monkeypaws]

That second vid demonstrates the personality contrast between Buxton and Sano pretty well. Buck smashes a no-doubt game-winning slam, doesn't pimp it one bit. Just turns, lowers his head and claps a few times.

 

I'm not saying I have a problem with Sano's antics, there's nothing wrong with a little fire, but I have huge respect for the way Buxton operates.

 

I like the fact that he even had a high five for the mascot

[bird]

Nick, this article was a pleasure to read, not only because of the subject matter but because it's so artfully written. Thank you.

[TRex]

I think this type of concern is obviously premature, BUT, if you look 6 years from now, Mauer's current monster contract isn't on the books anymore, so in all honesty I think this concern is moot. If Sano and Buxton deserve the money, the Twins will pay it!

 

I'm predicting Buxton is the next player to join the 20-20-20-20 club (doubles, triples, HR's, SB's), and to give a perspective, only 4 players in the history of MLB are in that club.

 

He may also be able to get 20 outfield assists!

[Mike Sixel]

I was an Appel guy, it sure looks like I was wrong. Another player I can't wait to see hit, run, field.

[tobi0040]

I was an Appel guy, it sure looks like I was wrong. Another player I can't wait to see hit, run, field.

 

Unfortunately, I wanted Appel as well. Was generally upset by the pick.

[Dman]

I agree that the Twins have been good about keeping the players they really want or feel they need on the team despite the money. I just think he is likely going to make silly money in 6 years. I think he could be in the 35 to 40 million a year range if he is the game changer everyone thinks he might be. That would likely be a a quarter or third of our payroll to keep him. I realize they can make it work but if he goes to free agency I am concerned about the bidding war that could result and I am not aware of us winning many of those. With Mauer the Twins didn't have to bid against the major money teams hopefully Buxton will sign a hometown deal but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

If I were the Twins I would plan on having him for 6 years, hope for 8 and beyond but plan on utilizing his talent as judiciously as possible for those 6 years. Unless he really, really likes Minnesota he is going to want to listen to those crazy offers for his services. Like maybe 5 years for 250Mil or 6 for 350 maybe even 10 for 500M? What would you pay for a once in a lifetime talent who maybe comes out in FA at 27 or 28 years old if you have the money to burn (ie NY, LA, Seattle)?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think Buxton and Sano with receive Longoria deals. I'm sure the Twins realize we won't see another #2 pick for 10 years or so. The Pohlads pledged 50% of revenue on average will be used for payroll over time. I don't think they are burying the yearly excess in their back yard. I just believe over time hasn't arrived.

 

Longoria signed a below market deal, and while I'd love for Sano/Buxton to do that, I wouldn't expect it. The Twins do have some leverage in that they can pay them more during their pre-arb years and guarantee a salary during their arb years in exchange for a year or two of FA, and I expect that to happen, but I do think at one point Sano and Buxton are going to want their deals if they turn into what it is that people think they could be... and let's be honest... we'd all do the same thing.

 

Now can the Twins afford it? I think they could, and they may. I woudln't be surprised though if they were forced to let one of them go.

[halfchest]

The Twins did ramp up the payroll that first year in Target Field and was above what they had budgeted if I remember correctly. That said, I don't know if they're saving money in the coffers for later years or not. Publicly they say they're willing to spend. Hopefully they mean it and when some of these guys do make it they do what the Braves have been doing this offseason.

[birddog]

So great to hear not only do these top prospects have amazing athletic prowess but also the drive to be the best. In addition they seem to possess strong leadership skills. Saw Buxton at Cedar Rapids last year for 3 games, just before the televised game. He was not at his best but still showed enough to get very excited, especially running the bases. Twins have done a great job recently, drafting and signing players to make the future very bright. Gotta believe they will do everything possible to keep these guys in Minnesota.

[Linus]

Signing Buxton to a monster contract will be a nice problem to have as that will mean we had one great player for 6 years.

 

Let's also not forget the Twins signed Kirby Puckett to the (at that time) largest contract in baseball history. If this new wave of talent pans out and the Twins start winning consistently again, revenues will climb substantially, thereby creating a larger pool of funds to sign these guys to extensions.

[Nick Nelson]

Nick, this article was a pleasure to read, not only because of the subject matter but because it's so artfully written. Thank you.

 

Thank YOU! Very kind.