Twins face Byron Buxton problem after WBC ends with Team USA
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Twins face Byron Buxton problem after WBC ends with Team USA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Twins were surely proud that Byron Buxton got the chance to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
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But now that the WBC is over, there's something to be worked out in a hurry for Buxton with less than 10 days until the regular season gets underway.
Simply put: The Twins need to get him some at bats.
Having the WBC in the middle of March is the logical time, at least in one sense. But it also means it takes the place of the bulk of Spring Training for these players.
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In Spring Training, Buxton would've averaged three-plus plate appearances per day over the two-plus weeks that the tourney took place.
Instead, he got eight plate appearances total (and didn't record a hit).
It's no one's fault, really. U.S. manager Mark DeRosa gave Pete Crow-Armstrong from the Cubs some chances in centerfield, too.
Buxton did start the championship game before being pinch-hit for in the middle innings.
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For the consistent Team USA starters, these WBC at bats may have even helped their ramp up to the season given the high intensity.
But for Buxton, and the other bench guys, there was simply a lot less work. He's a veteran and likely knows what he'll need to do to get ready for the season.
Still, the Twins would've preferred Buxton get 20 or 30 plate appearances through the tournament rather than eight. It just makes it that little bit tougher to get ready for the season ahead.