Is Byron Buxton's time with the Twins truly coming to an end? After a fire sale at the trade deadline, most of us assumed the Minnesota Twins would continue shedding veteran players this offseason. But hold on – according to Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey, that might not be the case. He's telling The Athletic that his primary focus is on adding to the team, not subtracting, unless ownership tells him otherwise. So far, he hasn't seriously considered trading away key right-handed pitchers like Pablo Lopez or Joe Ryan.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Pohlad family, who own the Twins, haven't yet given the front office a budget directive for next season. This is a critical piece of the puzzle. If they decide to lean further into a rebuild, there could be a major consequence: the potential for star center fielder Byron Buxton to reconsider his future in Minnesota.
Now, Buxton has always been adamant about wanting to stay a Twin for his entire career. Even after the roster teardown this past summer, he emphasized that he had no plans to waive his no-trade clause and hoped to finish his career in Minnesota. He's a fan favorite, a dynamic player, and a symbol of hope for the franchise. The Twins' offseason direction, however, could put that loyalty to the ultimate test. Dan Hayes reports that Buxton might reconsider his stance if the team continues to subtract prominent players.
That's hardly an announcement that Buxton wants out today – far from it. He bleeds Twins colors! It's more of a 'wait and see' situation. And let's be honest, there's still a decent foundation to build upon in Minnesota. Lopez and Ryan form a strong one-two punch at the top of the starting rotation. Bailey Ober, while he had a tough 2025, has proven to be a reliable mid-rotation arm in the past. Think of him as a bounce-back candidate!
Beyond those three, there's a promising group of young starters with mid-rotation potential, including Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, Mick Abel, Taj Bradley, and David Festa. All of whom were considered top-100 prospects before reaching the major leagues. The long-term viability of that group, however, is somewhat dependent on the futures of veterans like Lopez, Ryan, and Ober, providing stability and mentorship.
Offensively, while 2025 was a bit of a letdown for infielders Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee, it's easy to see them taking a step forward next year. They were both top-10 overall picks for a reason! They have the talent and potential to become high-end regulars for Minnesota. And more young talent is on the way, including top outfield prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, as well as infielder Luke Keaschall, who impressed in his limited plate appearances this year. Ryan Jeffers is already a solid catcher. Outfielders Matt Wallner and Alan Roden have put up impressive numbers in the minors. Adding a consistent bat at first base could round out what could become a very respectable lineup.
And this is the part most people miss... Last summer's trades significantly reduced the team's payroll. Currently, the Twins are projected to have a payroll of just $95 million next year, which is a decrease of more than $40 million from Opening Day last year. The BIG question is: will those savings be reinvested back into the team, or will ownership continue to cut costs? If it's the latter, or if the front office is given minimal financial flexibility, then Lopez (owed $21.75 million in each of the next two seasons), Ryan (arbitration-eligible through 2027), and Jeffers (arbitration-eligible through 2026) become logical trade candidates.
It would be fascinating if the Twins decided to make a push for contention in 2026. However, they would essentially need to rebuild their entire bullpen, having traded away key relievers like Jhoan Duran, Louis Varland, Griffin Jax, Danny Coulombe, and Brock Stewart before the trade deadline. That's a major undertaking!
So, what happens if the Twins decide to trade from their core group of veterans? Could Buxton reconsider his long-standing desire to remain a Twin for life? He's scheduled to earn $45 million over the final three seasons of his contract extension, with the potential to add an additional $10 million per season based on plate appearances and MVP voting.
Consider this: Buxton's contract is arguably a bargain, given his production. Over the past two years, he's hit .270/.330/.540 with a 138 wRC+, 53 home runs, 31 stolen bases, and 8.7 fWAR in 228 games. If he were available, virtually every team in baseball would express interest. Big-spending contenders like the Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees, and Mets are all likely to be in the market for outfield help this winter. If Buxton were to waive his no-trade clause, he would likely have his pick of destinations, thanks to his favorable contract and exceptional performance.
It's not just the big-market teams that would be interested. Teams like the Astros or even the Rays, despite their payroll limitations, have a strong commitment to winning and could also be in the mix. Buxton has demonstrated a willingness to win in a smaller market, but if he were to leave Minnesota, it would undoubtedly be with the goal of reaching the World Series firmly in mind, having only won one playoff series during his tenure with the Twins.
Ultimately, the Twins' offseason direction hinges on ownership's financial commitment and Buxton's willingness to remain patient during a potential rebuild.
What do you think? Should the Twins prioritize building around their young talent, even if it means potentially losing Buxton? Or should they make a push to contend now, even if it means taking on more payroll? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
