With the Twins now eliminated from the postseason at the hands of the Astros, eyes are now turning toward the impending offseason. Veteran righty Sonny Gray has already expressed his desire to return to Minnesota next year, and outfielder Michael A. Taylor joined him in an interview with Darren Wolfson of SKOR North Radio and 5 Eyewitness News. In conversation with Wolfson, Taylor spoke of his hopes to return to the Twins next year as well as his appreciation of people throughout the organization and the club’s chemistry in the locker room, calling Minnesota a “quality ballclub.”
Taylor, 32, is coming off one of the better seasons of his career. In addition to his typical strong defense in center field (+9 Outs Above Average, per Statcast) with a .220/.278/.442 slash line in 388 plate appearances. Though his on-base numbers certainly leave something to be desired, Taylor’s career-best 21 home runs propelled his over all numbers to around league average (96 wRC+). When taken with his quality defense and baserunning, it leaves Taylor as a solid everyday option in center field. Whether he ultimately signs with the Twins or elsewhere, Taylor figures to receive plenty of interest around the league.
Of course, any potential reunion between Taylor and the Twins could hinge on what’s in store for the club’s typical center fielder, Byron Buxton. The talented but oft-injured slugger was unable to play the field during the 2023 campaign, opening the door for Taylor to receive semi-regular playing time with Minnesota in center field while Buxton acted as the club’s DH. It was a difficult season for Buxton, as he slashed just .207/.294/.438 in 85 games as the club’s DH while battling an injured knee.
A healthy Buxton figures to be of utmost importance to the Twins next season, though Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune relays that Buxton is not yet sure whether or not he’ll require another surgery on his ailing knee this offseason. The uncertainty surrounding Buxton could further incentivize the club to explore a reunion with Taylor, who the club acquired last offseason to help man center field in the event Buxton faced another injury-marred campaign.
Fortunately, the Twins have more clarity regarding shortstop Carlos Correa’s path to health this offseason. Per Nightengale, Correa will be meeting with Twins medical staff to ensure a smooth recovery from his season-long battle with plantar fasciitis. While Correa’s foot will not require surgery, he is expected to undergo a procedure to correct the deviated septum in his nose. Correa previously underwent surgery to correct the issue back in 2018.
In his second season with the Twins and on the heels of signing a six-year, $200MM deal with Minnesota this past offseason, Correa struggled somewhat at the plate. In 580 plate appearances, he slashed just .230/.312/.399 with a wRC+ of 96, though he did manage to offer his typical solid defense at shortstop. Surely, Minnesota is hoping that an offseason of rest can alleviate Correa’s issues with plantar fasciitis and put him in position to post a strong 2024 campaign more in line with his first season as a Twin, when he slashed an impressive .291/.366/.467 with a wRC+ of 140.
First thing is to get a strong lefty in the bullpen and a Nelson Cruz presence in the middle of the lineup. Would love to see Sonny back.
They have to find a way to lessen the strikeouts. OPS and the like are what we measure individuals by, but TEAMS don’t do as well when they’re striking out all the time. Just look at the last 15 years of World Series matchups. It’s something like only 4 of those 30 teams were top 10 in strikeouts and 18 or 19 of them were in bottom 10, meaning striking out the least.
No Joey Gallo will help quite a bit in this regard.
They were 10’out of 30 in runs scored, which is the measuring stick of an offense. Yes, they struck out a lot, but the also hit a lot of home runs. Some of the teams who didn’t strike out a lot weren’t that successful – it’s not a litmus test.
Regardless of whether they think Buxton will be able to play CF next year, the Twins have to have a solid backup plan. Taylor would solve that problem.
Was gonna say the Twins should send Buxton away with his injury history, but at $15M AAV, he’s not a total payroll buster. Is there any trainer in the world that can keep him healthy for a full season?
Sometimes Good health is a gift, not a skill.
Twins first priority should be to sign Sonny Gray and Michael A.Taylor. 2nd priority trade or designate Buxton. Don’t resign Joey Gallo. Get another bat, starter and bullpen help.
Correa got his bag. Funny how a player always seems to have their best season in their walk year but after signing, usually struggle or get hurt.
I think it is often psychological. While there are some players get their money and don’t try as hard, others can struggle to be the high paid guy on the team for other reasons
I’m just not sure what the Twins should/can do about Buxton. It seems sudden, but he’s going to be 30 next year. In 8 years of MLB time (ignoring 2020) he has played in more than 92 games (i.e., 57% of the team’s games) only once. He’s signed for another five years, so there really isn’t much the Twins can do, I suppose, except to not count on him. And what a shame. The guy looked like he could be the next Willie Mays. Well, OK perhaps not Mays because of Buxton’s tendency to not make contact, but you know what I mean – excellent center fielder, excellent speed, some power, a game-changer. Now it’s become a sad, slow-motion descent into Whatever-Happened-To status. None of it his fault.
“None of it his fault” has one caveat in my opinion. In early 2022 Buxton injured his knee when slid awkwardly into 2nd base at Fenway. The injury occurred because he wasn’t hustling on a routine pop up that was misplayed . When he he realized the misplay after rounding first base he sped up, slid awkwardly and injured his knee. He said he knew something was wrong right away and it’s been a problem ever since.
I was at that game when he slid and that scream was a thing of nightmares. I wasn’t surprised he was hurt. I was more surprised he played as long as he did
MLB in 2023….Taylor, while displaying very positive defensive numbers bats .220, has 130 strikeouts, and 13 SB’s, but hits 21 dingers and is lauded by the author as a “solid everyday option in center field”……..and then there is Buxton, who hit .207, played in 85 games, and couldn’t play the field due to his injury history…..and then there’s the $200 million dollar man Corea who bats .230……throw in Gallo and exactly who’s board with building around these corner stones offensively going forward…..of course, you have to have Corea due to his contract, but come on….Buxton is an anchor holding the team back, and there have got to be better options, regardless of his defense, than Taylor who wouldn’t have 100 hits in 500 at bats regardless of his wRC+……..that ain’t exactly keeping the line moving with or without the almighty 21 HR’s especially since he’s not a real threat on the bases (13) either………what do your eyes tell you about both….if the Twins want to take that next step, which they can with some pitching, their offense has got to be more potent and consistent moving forward……..
I’d be thrilled to Gray was resigned. I’m guessing there’s a 50/50 chance of it though. I can live without bringing MAT back. Martin and Keirsey in AAA look ready to take MAT’s spot.
Hope we end up with something from the Berrios trade in Martin.
AAA is tough on starting pitching. Don’t get too down on SWR yet
We need Gray again. Paddack deserves a shot in the rotation. His previous issues are not as prevalent anymore and he could very well become an ace quality starter in 2024.