During the 2025 MLB All-Star media day in July, 2025 Silver Slugger Award winner Byron Buxton made sure everyone knew that he was committed to the Minnesota Twins organization, despite the struggles the team was dealing with at the time.
“I’m going to be a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life,” Buxton told reporters. “It’s the best feeling in the world, knowing I can walk into a clubhouse that says ‘Minnesota Twins’ for the rest of my life.”
However, a lot has changed since the All-Star break, as the Twins traded nearly 40% of their active roster ahead of the trade deadline to shed payroll and bolster the farm system, and fired manager Rocco Baldelli, leading to Derek Shelton's hire and many other coaching staff changes. If the Twins continue to dismantle their roster to save money and add more young players for the future, Buxton could change his mind and request to be traded to a team that is attempting to win now.
Byron Buxton reportedly could be willing to waive no-trade clause if Twins continue roster teardown by trading Pablo López and/or Joe Ryan
The Athletic's Dan Hayes reported on Wednesday that Buxton could be willing to waive his no-trade clause if the Twins continue to tear down their roster by trading Pablo López and/or Joe Ryan this offseason.
Luckily, in that same report, Hayes stated that president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said he has no plans to trade López or Ryan this offseason.
Derek Falvey said he wants to build around Joe Ryan and Pablo López instead of trading either. Making a deal could result in Byron Buxton being willing to waive his no-trade clause.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 12, 2025
Also, the #MNTwins hired Grady Sizemore to coach base running.https://t.co/EHWMZ7kgZ1
Twins better not make Byron Buxton unhappy by trading Pablo López and/or Joe Ryan
Of course, Falvey could change his mind and decide to move Ryan and/or López this winter if he receives an offer he cannot refuse. The Red Sox attempted to acquire Ryan at the trade deadline and are likely to try again, along with other teams, this offseason.
But even if Falvey receives an offer to his liking for one of the Twins' aces, he should stay true to his word and build around the two pitchers and Byron Buxton. Because if Buxton requests a trade, Minnesota will likely honor that rather than holding onto an unhappy star. The Twins have a talented roster. Therefore, they should add, not subtract.