The_Phantom

Exactly. You can't lose too many home extra inning games. And there have just been so many squandered opportunities. I'm glad we've been competitive in virtually every game, but you have to find a way to win the close ones.

He doesn't look primed to break out is the problem, he looks like hes drowning

Well, part 1 you already alluded to: He's striking out too much to really be contributing much. Part 2 though, not all balls put in play are created equal. He's only hit 4 line drives all season long. I'd actually say he's relatively lucky to even have a .200 babip with only 4 line drives. Even Mauer who is struggling quite a lot right now has 15.

Also, go Twins

RE: Chief Wahoo, i agree that the Indians should move on from that. As far as changing the name, etc, well, that is a different story. Like people have pointed out elsewhere though, Wahoo isn't going anywhere anytime soon because even if the team completely stops using him there is decades of memorabilia, and a plethora of shirts and hats out there that the fans will still use. And I can't imagine the team censoring those things at the gate.

No I'm asking how much longer is too long. He's putting up very nice defensive numbers, but horrendously bad offensive numbers.

I know the Twins look good right now overall. Do you think they'll actually compete for a playoff spot this year? Because to me that is the deciding factor. If we are still a year away from being competitive I'd rather have Buxton get proper seasoning and come ready to play WELL next year and actually help this team when it's time. If we actually remain competitive, taking a hit on the defensive end would definitely be a hard pill to swallow. His offensive struggles will eventually lead to more bad defensive plays though, it's just human nature. But besides that point, sometimes long term planning needs to be the focus and as long as we are not going to be competitive this year I'd rather hold on to Buxton (if he pans out at all) in the years that this team has more of a chance.

Why should that buy more time for him at the MLB level when he's putting up historically bad numbers? He still has options left and he's doing a lot of things wrong at the plate, like (in his own words) "trying to see how far he can hit the ball". He needs to be retaught getting on base, taking what he's given and then recognizing the opportunities to try to knock the cover off the ball. Right now he's trying to knock the cover off the ball even if the pitcher throws it in the dirt.

I generally agree, though he's 23. So he's really getting to the point that it's either time for him to make it or we just start to think he's a bust. There's still time for a breakout, but he's not really in "prospect" territory much longer either. My concern with the "let him play" attitude is doing damage to his long term career. He's clearly pressing at the plate and swinging hard at everything. Adjustments need to be made, and if they aren't happening in MLB it's doing him and the team a disservice to just ignore it and let him play.

Sure, But how long is too long? "The move would quickly become unpopular. Pedroia would tally 55 PA in April 2007, and in them he hit .182/.308/.236, which equated to a 51 wRC+." Through 46 PA in 2017, Buxton has put up .093/.152/.140 or a wRC+ of -24. In other words, Pedroia was given 9 more plate appearances before he was told to go work things out than Buxton has right now. Buxton's performance is so much worse, even if he gets on base all 9 times he still will have a lower OBP than Pedroia did. His OBP would be .291 I love Buxton's defense, but there isn't much more time to let this experiment continue.

Defense and pitching go hand in hand and are a humongous priority. Since we have a great fielding team and a good defensive catcher this year we are going to be in position to win far more games. Twins have to stop losing these close games though.

They showed an interview the other day where Buxton said he was having fun in September "seeing how far he can hit the ball". IMO his swing is far too big and he's trying to do exactly that too much. He needs to do a better job of playing to contact. Really, the fangraphs piece is off base. He can't be trotted out there forever batting sub .100

Even when the ball is on the inner half of the plate he "inside outs" it to opposite field. Even with the shift on. It's like he cant figured out how to pull it.

Where are you from (be as specific as you are comfortable): Virginia Beach What is your age (or age range, if you prefer): Mid 30s How long have you been a Twins fan? Since 1997. Which is weird I know, but there's a reason.... I was much more of a football and basketball fan when I was growing up. I started getting really into baseball because my high school baseball team was really good and had a couple of star players that were really fun to watch. I was working out with the football team a lot (but got hurt so I ended up not being able to play) but also worked out and had a few conversations with those star players. Can't really say we were "friends" but certainly acquaintances and occasional workout partners. Anyway, I realized as the season went on that there was quite a bit of hype that 2 of the players were very highly touted and likely to be drafted high in the MLB draft. When June came around, sure enough, two of those players did get drafted. In the first round - John Curtice... and Michael Cuddyer. I decided i wanted to actually start following pro ball after that - And I decided to start following the teams that those guys got drafted by. But since I hadn't had as much one on one interaction with Curtice and it seemed a little boring and stereotypical to root for the Red Sox, I decided that I'd rood for the Twins. And the rest is history... been a huge Twins fan ever since and still am to this day. What have a couple of your best Twins memories been? All of 2006, minus the playoffs. Who have some of your favorite players been? Well, Cuddyer, obviously Johan Santana Justin Morneau Pat Neshek Lew Ford, because lulz Francisco Liriano Joe Nathan Brian Dozier Miguel Sano Cory Koskie Brad Radke Eddie Guardado How long have you been reading Twins Daily (or were you following some writers before Twins Daily)? Only have checked in here once in a while. What brings you back to Twins Daily? How often do you stop by the site? Well, brings me "back" isn't really the right terminology, but I am here to see how the conversations go since the regular MLB boards don't seem to have as much activity as they used to... even though I really like those boards.