Minnesota Twins: Is Byron Buxton worth the money?
The Minnesota Twins drafted Byron Buxton second overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. Throughout his career, he’s dealt with injuries, but when healthy, he’s arguably the best player in the world.
To simply put it, the Twins are a lot better when he’s on the field.
The issue is he can never stay healthy. Since making his debut in 2015, the most games in one season he’s played were 140. If he could do that every year, he’s without a doubt worth every penny. Since 2017, here’s how many games he’s played in each season:
- 2018: 28
- 2019: 87
- 2020: 39 (60-game regular season)
- 2021: 27 (89 played so far)
Buxton roughly plays half the season and when he’s not, the Twins struggle. In part because the depth of the outfield has been shaky. Jake Cave can play at the major league level, but you don’t feel comfortable with him being your starting centerfielder for half the season.
Max Kepler can patrol center, but with his injury history, you’re a little more cautious with that. Minnesota’s dealt with the injury bug this season and has thrown Nick Gordon and Gilberto Celestino into the fire. Gordon has done well, but Celestino is not ready to play in the majors.
So the question becomes, is it worth paying Buxton all that money if he’s going to play in half the games? Probably not, unless you’re spending sizeable money on a good backup. At that point, you’re spending too much on one position.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Twins have offered Buxton $70 million:
The team’s latest offer to Buxton is in excess of the $70 million the Yankees awarded center fielder Aaron Hicks over a seven-year extension in Feb. 2019, sources said. Buxton, 27, likely will be dealt if he rejects the proposal, if not by the July 30 trade deadline — he currently is on the injured list with a fractured left hand — then this offseason.
This is a pretty big statement to make, but ultimately one that makes sense. Minnesota could get a lot back for Buxton, regardless of his injury history. That’s just how good he is, but it appears Minnesota is done negotiating.
His defense has always been elite, winning a Gold Glove, Platinum Glove and the Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year. Once he figured out how to bat, it was easy to see him being one of the best players in baseball. That came to fruition this season and it was tough watching him fall out of the lineup with numerous injuries.
Personally, Buxton is worth the $70 million because he makes the team that much better. In 27 games, he looked like an MVP candidate and had a WAR of 2.9. His batting splits were .369/.409/.767 – not to mention his elite OPS of 1.176.
Buxton’s in elite company and it’s not hard to imagine how good the Twins could be if he’d stay healthy. Rosenthal notes that the Twins would receive more in a trade if they moved him in the offseason versus the trade deadline.
Minnesota should give him the $70 million, but at that price, it’s hard not to wonder if they’re underpaying him. Even if they were to lock him up long-term, they could still find a trade partner in the future.
Pay up Minnesota.
