Minnesota Twins: Top 5 Trade Candidates for the 2022 Offseason
By Otto Johnson
Minnesota Twins Trade Candidate No. 1: Byron Buxton
The most valuable trade chip the Minnesota Twins have is the one that will hurt Twins fans the most to see go. Byron Buxton‘s time in the Twin Cities is likely coming to an end, as the Twins and Buxton’s agents have failed to come to an agreement.
The former No. 2 overall pick has said that he would prefer to stay in Minnesota and finish his career here, but with his lengthy injury history and reportedly high asking price, the team is now looking at possible trade options with an extension unlikely.
The team probably wouldn’t get as much as Twins Territory would want in a potential deal, but moving the star center fielder is better than watching him walk for nothing in free agency. The Twins would also keep their books free for the future in letting him go.
The Twins have the 17th-highest roster number in the MLB, and over $40 million coming off the books at the end of this year and even more likely to depart at the end of 2022, not paying Byron Buxton seems short-sighted at best and negligent at worst.
He’s had his problems staying healthy, but he’s one of the most electric players in all of baseball when he’s on the field. Regardless, he stands alone as the most likely trade candidate for this offseason.