One of the main benefits of giving younger players more playing time is the opportunity to build depth, and the organization definitely has depth. The Twins’ roster has long relied on the contributions of veteran leaders, but playoff success often depends on having a deep roster to fall back on.
Reducing the risk of injury
This strategic break can be invaluable for players like Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, who have battled many injuries over the course of this season. Yes, Buxton is on the injured list because of a hip problem, but the collision with the wall he suffered a week earlier and his earlier time off because of inflammation in his knee are also part of the calculation. The same goes for Correa, who is out with plantar fasciitis, but it’s worth protecting him, especially in light of last the same problem as last year, plus the intercostal strain that sidelined him in April and a few bruises that had bruised and injured him earlier in the summer.
By reducing their workload in the final weeks of the regular season, the Twins can minimize the risk of injuries that could otherwise jeopardize their availability for the postseason. This precaution ensures that both players are fresh and fully prepared for the demands of the playoffs. Despite missing them, the Twins have thrived in their absence. They currently sit in second place in the AL Central with a record of 70-55. This is largely due to the contributions of several young players who have made great strides.
Promoting a culture of competition
While the big contracts and impressive track records of Buxton and Correa have fans demanding they be on the field at every opportunity, both players have shown increasing maturity and patience with their own injury issues. For younger players, this recovery time for the highly paid stars is a powerful incentive and a chance to prove their worth. The result is a more engaged and motivated squad, with each member focused on contributing to the team’s success.
By giving young players more at-bats and defensive innings, the Twins can gauge their readiness for high-pressure situations. This increases roster flexibility and creates a base of experience that can be critical in October and for replacement players.
Those injury-related absences have also allowed veterans like Carlos Santana and Max Kepler to compete for their positions. Santana, who is only under contract for a year, certainly makes a case for why re-signing him could be one of the best decisions for the club, even if José Miranda has prevailed. Kepler, who will soon become a free agent, has more time to show his value, which some fans believe is not worth what he expects in the offseason. However, if Buxton and Correa were both in the running, the team would not have the chance to regularly use all of Kepler, Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner without a significant opportunity cost.
Impact on younger players
The increased playing time for younger players like shortstop Brooks Lee, Wallner, Larnach and all-round talent Austin Martin brings with it several crucial advantages, such as experience in crucial situations, confidence and, most importantly, chemistry.
One of the most impressive players has been Royce Lewis. He has a .267 batting average with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs. Lewis has had his setbacks twice this season, but he manages to make things happen when he’s healthy – and although Buxton and Correa have been cautious in getting their injuries treated, the Twins have had the patience to keep Lewis fresh with days off since his recent return.
We’ve seen the younger players develop great chemistry: Martin, Wallner, Edouard Julien and Miranda, who have bounced between Triple-A St. Paul and the parent club, have shown great chemistry on the field and continue to improve. Two of the most significant improvements have come from Wallner and Martin on base and on defense.
Wallner has gotten much better since returning from St. Paul. Last night against San Diego, he had a double and an RBI, pushing his batting average up to .259, and his OPS is one of the highest on the team at .954.
Martin gets on base about averagely and makes things happen when he’s there. His defensive play has been sluggish, but he’s taken significant steps to improve, and in Buxton’s absence, he seems more consistent in center field.
outlook
The Twins’ decision (if it is one, which may be more important than some realize) to rest Buxton and Correa and lean on their younger players isn’t just about the present; it’s about building a sustainable future. This strategy is consistent with the larger goal of developing a resilient and adaptable roster that can compete at the highest level for years to come, while also ensuring the long-term health of two players in whom the organization still has a lot of investment and without whom they would be much less dangerous come October.
With the 2024 postseason looming, the Twins are positioning themselves for not just a single run to glory, but sustained excellence. By trusting their young talent and strategically managing their veterans’ workloads, the Twins are preparing for the immediate challenge of the playoffs and laying the groundwork for future success. The resulting mix of experience and youth could be the key to a long postseason run, especially because it makes it more likely that the team will be at its best when the time comes.
