Weeks before the MLB trade deadline, Minnesota Twins' All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton made it clear he wasn't going to waive his no-trade clause, and that was confirmed once again at the deadline when Buxton confirmed he had no interest in being moved during the team's fire sale. As Twins' insiders peel back the curtains on the approach the team's front office took at the deadline, it was revealed who the two teams were chasing Buxton at the deadline.
Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports that the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves quietly had hopes that Buxton would be on the move. Trying to chase down the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East, it makes sense that the Mets would have an interest in Buxton, but they were left with Cedric Mullins after a deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
A Georgia native, there had been some speculation during the All-Star break that Buxton wouldn't be opposed to playing for his hometown Braves. While the Braves are far from a contender this season, their outfield is about to be reconstructed, considering rumors that the Braves may entertain a trade of Michael Harris this offseason. With their reported interest in Buxton, it would seem the Braves were trying to get an early start on their offseason shopping.
Byron Buxton drew late deadline interest from two unexpected teams
It also needs to be stressed that it was the Mets and Braves who approached the Twins about a trade for Buxton. It wasn't a case of the Twins trying to find a trade partner for Buxton before approaching him about a potential deal. Despite the Twins starting a full-on rebuild at the deadline, the team seemingly is trying to remain in the good graces of Buxton.
While Buxton certainly deserves that respect, it does limit the full extent of the Twins' reset. Moving Buxton would fetch the Twins a haul of talented prospects and likely better shape their long-term outlook. Instead, the remainder of Buxton's prime years will be wasted as the Twins chase down irrelevancy.