Are the Twins deadset on Byron Buxton returning to center field after a season spent as the designated hitter? Or could a former MVP fill the Twins’ center field void next season?
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer speculated that the Twins could be a good landing spot for free agent center fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger.
“The plan, for now, is to have Byron Buxton back in center field in 2024 after persistent knee issues limited him to designated hitter duty throughout 2023. But if the Twins lose faith in that idea, they might just have the payroll flexibility to mount a pursuit of Bellinger,” wrote Rymer in a recent article looking at the best landing spots for Bellinger.
In his rookie season, Bellinger hit a rookie record 39 home runs on his way to winning Rookie of the Year. Two years later Bellinger hit 47 homers en route to the MVP award. The following two seasons Bellinger fell off as he dealt with a series of injuries and health issues.
Bellinger signed a one-year, $17.5 million prove-it deal with the Cubs last winter that is set to pay off big time this winter. The 28-year-old hit a career high .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBI while splitting time between center field and first base for Chicago in 2023.
The free agent won’t come cheap. Look what Bellinger’s agent Scott Boras told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale this summer.
“Demand is often created by rarity. When you have the rarity of age, the skill level, a five-tool player, a Gold Glove center fielder and first baseman who can run, throw, hit, and hit for power, that’s a rare commodity in baseball. And the demand for that is very, very high,” Boras said.
The Twins have recent history making big deals with Boras, signing Carlos Correa to a six-year $200 million deal last offseason.
Bellinger’s left handed bat doesn’t help fix the hole of a right-handed bat the Twins were reportedly looking for at the trade deadline. And it remains unclear how deep the Twins’ pockets are with the team’s television rights up in the air.
With 35-year-old Donovan Solano set to be a free agent this winter and Alex Kirilloff battling injuries throughout the 2023 season, Bellinger could also be the answer at first base for the Twins.
