Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
This offseason is an integral one for the Minnesota Twins. We are just a matter of months from the front office tearing the roster down to the studs. Of course the pause on spending was mandated by ownership, and the Pohlads are looking at a 2026 payroll that may check in below $100 million.
Minnesota’s two most expensive holdovers are Pablo Lopez and Byron Buxton. The latter has a full no-trade clause, but it has almost seemed intentional that the team is attempting to test his loyalty. Now it’s official, he’s open to going elsehwere.
Byron Buxton would waive no trade clause with Twins
Coming off the best season of his career, this is certainly an opportunity for the Minnesota Twins to sell high on Byron Buxton. The goal would be to shed his roughly $45 million in future payroll commitments. While the franchise needs his blessing in order to do so, ESPN’s Jeff Passan is reporting that he would give it.
Buxton is willing to waive his no-trade clause — and not just for Atlanta (he’s a Georgia native) — which puts the Twins in an interesting position. If the paucity of frontline free agent outfielders prompts a team to make an offer for Buxton, how seriously would Minnesota take it? And if Buxton goes, does that mean the Twins would be open to dealing some of their pitching, too? The Twins are one of the most fascinating teams this winter because of the possibilities at their disposal.
To this point it has seemed like Buxton being agreeable to leaving Minnesota may hinge on landing in his home state of Atlanta. Passan not only addresses that, but specifically points out that not his only motivation.
Recently Buxton was the focal point of a ridiculous trade proposal that had him landing in Cincinnati. It seems like an odd place given their recent history, but the team is trending upwards, and a star outfielder could be a catalyst that takes them to new heights.
In 126 games last season Buxton batted .264/.327/.551 with 35 home runs and 24 steals. He was both healthy and effective, while still showing off the power and speed combination. He isn’t quite the same defensive stalwart, but Buck remains above average.
Top Plays of 2025: No. 53
Byron Buxton records the first @Twins cycle since 2019 and the first cycle at Target Field! pic.twitter.com/x4RWPNIMpf
— MLB (@MLB) November 25, 2025
At the end of the day, the Minnesota Twins have to decide what their direction looks like for 2026. Filling the roster with Ryan Kreidler and Eric Orze types won’t give new manager Derek Shelton much of a chance to compete. If they aren’t going to, then stars like Buxton, Lopez, and Joe Ryan are move valuable as trade chips.
It’s a really sad reality that Buxton has been steadfast about his desire to stay only to have the choice forced upon him. He signed a team-friendly extension that accounted for his injury history, and the intention to remain planted. A competitor wants to show up and get after it though, even when an organization doesn’t.
Mentioned in this article: Byron Buxton
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