Buxton won't waive no-trade clause: 'I'm a Minnesota Twin' for life
Don't expect Byron Buxton to be wearing a different uniform any time soon.
Speculation about a potential Buxton trade has grown amid the Minnesota Twins' disappointing season. But the All-Star outfielder poured cold water on any thoughts of a move, stating that he would use his no-trade clause to block any potential move out of the Twin Cities.
"I've got a no-trade clause - I'm a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life," Buxton said this week during All-Star festivities in Atlanta, according to Phil Miller of the Minnesota Star Tribune. "That's the best feeling in the world, knowing when I when I walk into the clubhouse every day, it's going to say Twins. I love Minnesota - that's home.
"... I don't want to play anywhere else. The team, the people, the city - they made me who I am and made me a part of it there."
Buxton, now in the fourth season of a seven-year, $100-million contract, holds a full no-trade clause through the end of 2026. He's allowed to block trades to five teams in 2027 and '28. However, that will be rendered moot once Buxton acquires 10-and-5 rights at some point next season.
The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Twins, who drafted him second overall in 2012.
Buxton's made two All-Star teams and shown flashes of potential dominance but has struggled with injuries throughout his career, playing in 100-plus games just twice over 11 seasons. This year, however, he's stayed healthy and is hitting .289/.351/.574 with 21 homers, 56 RBIs, and 17 steals over 333 plate appearances.
Still, there's some questions about his long-term status in Minnesota given the team's ongoing struggles. The Twins entered the break sitting in second place, albeit 11 1/2 games behind the AL Central-leading Tigers. Their 47-49 record has also left them four games out of a wild-card spot, with three teams to leapfrog.
Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey acknowledged that there's been some level of discussion about trades of the team's bigger names, telling Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post that "we get calls on everybody." But Falvey added that he's hopeful the team can turn it around with Buxton, among others, playing home games at Target Field.
"I think all 29 other clubs in baseball would love to have Byron Buxton on their roster. I can tell you that we love having Byron Buxton on this roster. So, the rumors are the rumors, the noise we can't control," Falvey said.
"... Byron's a Twin, he mentioned that he always has been, that's what we love about him. He's a leader in our clubhouse, it's who he is, and we feel like with the group that we have with guys coming back a little healthier here, playing well, if we get on a good run here, we still believe this is a team that can compete in the fall."