Byron Buxton Dismisses Trade Speculation
Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is making his position clear regarding current trade rumors. “I’m a Twin,” he firmly stated to reporters on Thursday when questioned about the potential for a trade before the August 3 deadline.
Buxton has been part of the conversation around trade rumors, particularly given the Twins’ recent record of 36-40. This season, he boasts an impressive slash line of .275/.336/.601, along with 23 home runs.
Interestingly, it’s important to note that Buxton has a full no-trade clause, which would give him substantial control over any potential deal the team might explore.
“I don’t do anything unpleasant,” Buxton mentioned, sharing his thoughts with The Athletic about the rumors surrounding him. “At the end of the day, no one can stand in my shoes. No one can say anything about what I’m going to do. I know what I’m doing.”
He added, “The only way I’m going to get out of this is if they have to come to me and talk to me and tell me something different. It’s simple. … I haven’t said anything about getting out of here and I never will. I’m a Twin.”
While the Twins are just a game and a half from clinching a wild-card spot in the American League, Buxton remains optimistic about the team’s direction. He has expressed similar sentiments in past seasons, reaffirming his intention to stay with the team for his career.
“I’m going to be a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life,” he revealed at an earlier press conference. “It’s the best feeling in the world to be able to walk into a clubhouse that says ‘Minnesota Twins’ on it for the rest of my life.”
The Twins underwent significant changes last season, trading ten players before the deadline and wrapping up the year with a 70-92 record. They also made cuts amounting to $38 million ahead of this year.
Buxton, who inked a seven-year, $100 million extension in December 2021, is the second-highest paid player on the team for 2026, following pitcher Pablo López. Despite some notable performances—and there have been some—he has faced challenges with injuries, having only appeared in over 120 games twice throughout his 11-year MLB journey. Last season was one of his better years, posting a .264/.327/.551 line with 35 home runs over 126 games.
