A ridiculous Byron Buxton trade idea is making the rounds
We’ve already reached Peak Offseason, and it hasn’t even been a month.
We’re less than a month into the Minnesota Twins’ offseason, but we might have already reached Peak Rumors SZN as we all thirst for some action. Those who aren’t rooting for someone in the World Series, which extends beyond Yankees and Dodgers fans to anyone with a fashion sense, are looking for anything we can get as far as precursors to what is hopefully a wild winter.
Chances are the Twins are going to pull another ope, let me slide right past you in the other direction of any action given how frugal the franchise has decided to be. It’s nothing new if you’ve been paying attention to the team for the last forty years, but that doesn’t mean the way the team has turned back the clock on its lack of spending isn’t frustrating.
It’s looking increasingly like if the Twins are going to make any move this offseason it’s likely going to need to come via trade. That means a name-brand player will have to be moved, which is a thread that’s already being tugged on.
Ridiculous Byron Buxton trade idea would be a total nightmare for the Twins
In a Bleacer Report piece looking at wild trade ideas, the Twins would trade Byron Buxton to the Houston Astros (gross) in a three-team deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
Most folks are pointing out how unrealistic this idea is based on Buxton having a No Trade Clause, but the real hang up is the idea that the Twins would send money anywhere other than the Pohlad’s pockets.
Buxton Three Teamer
Before anyone grabs for their pitchfork, even the writer of the article admits it’s a kooky idea but the mere fact that it exists is indicative of where we’re at with the rumor cycle. It’s also a reminder of how difficult it might be for the Twins to meaningfully add to the roster without spending any money.
That’s the flaming hoop the front office will have to jump through this winter, as it seems highlight unlikely that the Pohlads will loosen their death grip on the purse strings of the payroll. Even though the team is reportedly up for sale and it would seemingly behoove ownership to put some money in so they can get even more out, we all know how this family operates.
It should go without saying that the Twins trading any of their Top 5 guys actively makes the team worse unless there’s some sort of fleecing on Minnesota’s part. Buxton is oft-injured but he’s an All-Star when healthy and a key piece of top-heavy roster of stars alongside Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, and Joe Ryan.
Last season the Twins sheepishly waved the whtie flag in December by refusing to improve the roster, and those same vibes would persist if the team deals Buxton for anything less than a haul.
This trade idea is ridiculous from that standpoint, but it’s not terrible in terms of a potential starting point. Ryan Mountcastle fills a need at first base and he’s not he right side of 30-years-old. Max Gordon is Baltimore’s 23rd best prospect while Colton Gordon is ranked 11th in Houston’s farm system.
Only Mountcastle would have an impact this season, but the catch is that he’s arbitration-eligible and on an expiring contract after next season. Minnesota got dragged for trading Jorge Polanco in what amounted to a salary dump last winter and to move one of the pillars of the franchise for prospects well outside of the Top 100 and an expiring deal would further crater fan morale to perhaps a point of no return.
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