Rocco Baldelli and Byron Buxton already sound like big fans of Manuel Margot
Byron Buxton was singing his praises as well, which is a great sign of things to come.
It wasn't a particularly busy winter for the Minnesota Twins, but it was still arguably a successful one.
The team didn't go out and add to the extent anyone thought they would after how last season ended, but lest we forget the frugal franchise we're dealing with. The Twins already don't like spending more money than they have to, so when a complication like list revenue from a TV deal comes into play it's not shocking that it would impact offseason moves.
Despite this, and the angst that fans rightfully felt, the team did end up making some moves. The latest was a trade with the Dodgers that sent veteran outfielder Manuel Margot to Minnesota to provide some insurance behind Byron Buxton.
Margot wasted no time at all impressing two of the most important players in the Twins' clubhouse.
Rocco Baldelli and Byron Buxton already sound like big fans of Manuel Margot
Margot was traded on Monday afternoon after having been dealt earlier this winter in a deal that sent Tyler Glasnow from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles. To the surprise of Rocco Baldelli and Byron Buxton, Margot made it back to Florida in what feels like record time.
Less than a day after being traded, Margot showed up at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers and was already in uniform.
Rocco, on Manuel Margot's arrival in camp today: "I’ve never seen someone make the Phoenix to Fort Myers trip that quick."
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) February 27, 2024
Buxton said Margot showed up and asked if they needed him to play today: "That’s something you don’t see very often, and just shows you the person he is."
That's impressive in its own right, but was also something Twins Twitter had some fun with thanks to someone going viral for dogging Carlos Santana for being among the last players to report.
He might have arrived in record time but what Margot does over the long haul of the season is what will matter, and why everyone is so excited. Minnesota was searching for right-handed hitting outfield help since the trade deadline, and needed to find a way to replace Michael A. Taylor as depth behind Buxton.
Margot checks both of those boxes, as well as being capable of playing the corners which helps out Matt Wallner and Max Kepler. His arrival might delay Austin Martin getting called up, but he feels like they kind of veteran addition that we'll look back fondly on later this season.
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