Byron Buxton put on a show during the Home Run derby on Monday night before being eliminated by Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays. With the lingering knee issues that plagued his last three seasons behind him, Buxton is finally showcasing his talent as one of the best outfielders in all of baseball. Of course, Buxton's All-Star season has come at a time when the Minnesota Twins are stuck in purgatory, considering the pending sale of the team.
Given that the Twins aren't exactly at the frontline of contenders for an American League Wild-Card spot, speculation has surfaced regarding what a potential Buxton trade would look like. Buxton, for his part, ended all speculation while speaking during the All-Star media day on Monday.
“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.”
Byron Buxton confirms what Twins fans were hoping to hear
As part of the seven-year deal Buxton signed with the Twins before the 2022 season, the All-Star center fielder has a full no-trade clause. Even if the Twins do take part in a fire sale at the deadline, moving controllable talent, the idea of Buxton being included among the group of players would have been farfetched.
If the Twins are hoping to reset at the deadline, moving players who are free agents after the season, moving Buxton would make little sense. A healthy Buxton can be at the core of the next contending Twins' team. Given the talent they have on their roster, that could come as soon as next season. However, changes around the core are needed, which is why the deadline is an important moment of time for this front office.
Assuming the Twins are willing to take calls on Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, that could be how they reconstruct their roster around Buxton and the remaining core. Duran and Jax are both high-leverage relievers under control until 2028, contending teams will have to pay a premium to acquire them at the deadline. That could be the key to the Twins having a new outlook with Buxton remaining a central part of the plan.