Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
This spring Major League Baseball will take a back seat as the World Baseball Classic goes to center stage. Scheduled in March during Spring Training, baseball stars from across the globe will compete in what has become a must-watch event. The Minnesota Twins will be represented this time as well.
Last time around it was Team USA and Japan that provided a thriller in the championship. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani gave us an unreal moment with the Japanese taking home the trophy. Team USA will look to exact revenge this year, and Byron Buxton will be there for it.
Byron Buxton on Team USA’s WBC roster
Last season Byron Buxton put up the best year of his career. Not only was he healthy, but he was ridiculously productive as well. With no limitations this offseason, he’ll gear up for the regular season by playing on the national stage.
Byron Buxton is part of Team USA’s preliminary roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, sources told me here at the Winter Meetings.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 8, 2025
Although USA Baseball has yet to make it official, BBWAA writer Francys Romero has announced that Buxton will be participating. It will be Buxton’s first time competing in a national event since turning pro, and that’s not a shock given his injury history.
In 2025 Buxton batted .264/.327/.551 for the Minnesota Twins. His 35 home runs were a career high, and he swiped 24 bases without being thrown out. Although he’s not the same elite centerfielder at 31 years old, he was still worth three outs above average (OAA) last year.
The Twins have to be ecstatic that Buxton feels confident enough in his health to compete. They also have to be hoping there are no issues that arise from an earlier ramp up than normal.
During the Winter Meetings the MN Twins have put out signals that they won’t trade Byron Buxton, or the rest of their stars, and instead look to add. Maybe the new minority partners will infuse the franchise with additional cash flow, but it’s a wait and see game at this point.
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