If Mike Trout Can Change Positions, Why Can’t Minnesota Twins Players?

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Carlos Correa
Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

John Hefti-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins have found their lineup in flux this season with a myriad of injuries. As some of their cornerstone stars age, it will be worth considering whether they should change positions. That became a talking point for Royce Lewis this year, and he is the youngest of the group. Mike Trout might do it, so why not the Twins too?

Which Minnesota Twins could follow Mike Trout’s lead?

Mike Trout will go down as one of the best players to ever step foot on a Major League Baseball diamond. The three-time MVP played 53 of the 60 games during the Covid shortened year. Since he has missed a considerable amount of time with only a single 100-game season. The 33-year-old is willing to consider a position change to preserve his health.

“Ultimately, my goal is to be in that batter’s box, in the field, every single day. Whether that’s moving to a corner or DHing more, that’s something that I’ll leave it up to the front office to come up with a plan. Where I’m at and what’s happened the last few years, I’m definitely going to try to explore every option that can keep me out there. I know I have a certain amount of years on my deal, and I knew when I signed my contract, I’d eventually move to a corner. But is it next year? I don’t know. But we’ll have conversations.“

Mike Trout on a potential position change in 2025 (ESPN)

Like Trout, the Twins have a pair of longstanding veterans signed to length extensions that will need to consider position changes. Carlos Correa is signed through 2028 and will less than 85 games this season due to plantar fasciitis. Byron Buxton has an outside chance to hit 100 games for the second time in his career but has dealt with issues related to his aching knees. Like Correa, he too is with Minnesota through 2028.

There was talk that Correa could shift to the hot corner in an attempt to get back on the field. That didn’t happen, but is near a certainty in the future. Buxton’s value is heavily derived from his centerfield defense. His bat produces enough to be a corner outfielder, but will that keep his knees fresh?

Related: Postseason Verdict on Minnesota Twins: Pretenders

Both players are candidates to join Trout in a position switch soon. Buxton and Correa are both younger than the Angels outfielder by a few years, but the injury history for both is starting to add up.

Does Royce Lewis learn a new spot this offseason?

It’s not just Buxton and Correa that could soon be learning a new position. Royce Lewis started his first career game at second base this season. His glove at third base has been somewhat disappointing, and the arm strength may be better served across the diamond.

There have been some great plays like the one above, and there have been missteps like the one on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians. Lewis has played in more games than ever before this season, but he’s running on fumes. That definitely impacts his sprint speed and barrel speed, but probably shows up in the field as well.

Courtesy: Baseball Savant

Brooks Lee is better positioned at shortstop or third base than Lewis. Jose Miranda rotates in there as well. Lewis could provide a defensive upgrade over Edouard Julien and the Canadian may be destined for first base. The Twins infield could have a bunch of similar faces in new places to open 2025.

Related: Royce Lewis Would Welcome Position Change “if we were the White Sox”

If Lewis gets a full offseason to work on a move across the diamond it would go more smoothly. The tough part for him is that he hasn’t yet hit arbitration or signed an extension. Lewis, and especially with Scott Boras as his agent, knows the earning potential goes down moving off of the left side.

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