Minnesota Twins: 5 Reasons why Byron Buxton’s Extension is a Big Deal

Reason No. 1 why Buxton’s deal is so Important for the Minnesota Twins: Proof the Team is Committed to Winning

Early on in the offseason, Derek Falvey echoed Jim Pohlad’s midseason words, saying this about rebuilding: “I’m not using that word,” Falvey said, adding: “We’re going to find a way to invest in next year’s team. This is not with an eye toward five years down the line.”

Fans have heard lines like that before, but would need more than just empty promises to believe that they were committed to winning. Trading or failing to extend Byron Buxton would send the opposite message to a fanbase that wants to believe this team can still contend.

Extending Byron Buxton is proof of that message. Since 2019, the Twins are 100-64 with Byron Buxton on the field. Without him, a mere 106-106. Yes, he misses a lot of games, but the team is so much better with him on it.

The Twins know this, but had to be willing to take a risk that Buxton would be able to play all seven seasons and stay healthy enough to live up to his deal. They did, showing that they’re looking to contend (About that pitching though… No, enjoy this moment, we’ve got four more reasons to go).

Reason No. 2 why Buxton’s deal is so Important for the Minnesota Twins: Homegrown Fan Favorite Stays in Minnesota

There have been several homegrown fan favorites that have grown into franchise icons, one or two for each era of Twins baseball. Harmon Killebrew in the 1960s. Tony Oliva and Rod Carew from the late 1960s to 1970s. Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and the World Series teams in the 1980s and 1990s.

Torii Hunter in the early 2000s, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in the late 2000s and Mauer himself in the 2010s. All homegrown talent that were easy to root for, and most of whom have a history of staying put. Byron Buxton is next in that line.

Killebrew and Morneau remained Twins through most of their careers before the Twins felt the need to move on and Carew and Hunter would have if the front office/ownership had treated them properly. Puckett, Oliva, Hrbek, and Mauer spent their entire careers here. The Twins have a reputation of hanging on to their most talented fan favorites and they did it once again.

Buxton’s speed, incredible defense, gaudy power and generally great attitude make him extremely well liked by fans, teammates and the organization while being fun to watch. The extension keeps that fan favorite where he belongs. He’s not just a fan favorite though, which brings me to reason No. 3.

Reason No. 3 why Buxton’s deal is so Important for the Minnesota Twins: An Elite talent stays in Minnesota

When the Twins were picking No. 2 overall in the 2012 draft, Byron Buxton was the clear-cut best option for the team. The high schooler from Baxley, Georgia was seen as the top prospect in the draft, but it seemed unlikely to most draft experts that the Houston Astros would take a risk on a high schooler, even with Buxton’s upside.

Those experts were right (the Astros ended up taking some shortstop named Carlos Correa. Maybe you’ve heard of him), and the Buxton fell into the Twins’ lap. He was taken, then signed a deal with the second-largest signing bonus in team history at $6 million (Royce Lewis got $6.725) and spent his time in the minors lighting it up as a Top 5 (and eventually No.1) prospect.

Once he got to the majors, his ability in the field and basepaths was evident. He showed flashes with the bat, but it wasn’t until 2019 that Buxton truly broke through. His injuries have made Twins fans wonder about him sometimes, but his talent has never been in question.

2021 was by far his best yet, as he produced the most WAR of any player since 1900 (who played in under 70 games). No, he hasn’t consistently produced like other Twins legends have, but he’s arguably the most physically gifted player to ever don a Twins uniform. Those one of a kind physical gifts will now be here for the next seven years (and likely longer).

Reason No. 4 why Buxton’s deal is so Important for the Minnesota Twins: It’s a Massive Steal

When Twins fans first hear the number $100 million dollars as a base deal, they groan. Paying an injury-ridden center fielder that much money seems like it will be an issue in the long run. Here’s the thing though. If none of the incentives hit, Buxton will only be making $15 million dollars a year. That’s really not a lot.

Here’s how Dan Hayes and Aaron Gleeman broke it down in the Athletic:

“So yes, Buxton has been hurt a ton, but he’s developed into such a spectacular all-around player that he’s been worth far more than $15 million per year even while missing huge chunks of time. Last season, for instance, he was limited to 61 games, yet produced 4.5 WAR, fourth-most among all center fielders. Based on a standard WAR valuation, he was worth about $40 million in 2021.”

If Buxton plays 80 games at the pace he played last year, he’ll be worth $53 million. And the Twins are only paying him $15 million or roughly what they would have to pay second tier outfielder in free agency.

If you’re worried about incentives, even the incentives are reasonable:

Buxton makes more money based on where he finishes in the MVP race and how many plate appearances he has. If he finishes in the top 10, he would have put together one of the best seasons in Twins history and still would cost AT MOST $25.5 million (if he wins the American League MVP and reaches 625 plate appearances).

If Buxton finishes 11-25th in MVP voting in each year of this deal (he’s done it twice already), the Twins will have an elite player that only makes in the range of $15-$17.5 million. The Twins could have the best value in baseball on their hands.

Reason No. 5 why Buxton’s deal is so Important for the Minnesota Twins: The No-Trade Clause and Byron Buxton’s Happiness

Selfishly as sports fans, we fail to see the athlete’s point of view and how he or she might feel when it comes to competition, new contracts, and more. This wasn’t really the case here. Twins fans and Byron Buxton were united in the belief that we both want him to play out the rest of his career here.

Buxton said it again and again, despite the team wanting to trade him, extension talks falling through, and a struggling team, that he wanted to remain here. Finally, Falvey and Levine put the no-trade clause on the table, meaning, that barring something drastic, Buxton will be a Minnesota Twin until he’s 34.

He’s just entering his prime this season, and this security has to feel like a weight has been lifted off of him. He can move his family here, put down real roots, and focus on a dream he’s had for a while: to spend his career with one team.

Now I know, he’s only had one truly elite seasons, and he still has to shake the injury bug, but the Twins’ most dynamic player has the ability to build his life and career here, one that could see him end up as one of the Twins’ All-Time Greats. Let’s celebrate Twins fans. Buxton is here to stay.