{"id":659940,"date":"2026-04-03T01:25:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T01:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/659940\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T01:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T01:25:17","slug":"detroit-tigers-pitcher-tarik-skubal-delivers-during-the-second-inning-of-an-opening-day-baseball-game-against-the-san-diego-padres-image-via-ap-photo-mlb-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/659940\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal delivers during the second inning of an opening-day baseball game against the San Diego Padres (Image via AP Photo) | MLB News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MLBDetroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal delivers during the second inning of an opening-day baseball game against the San Diego Padres (Image via AP Photo) The Detroit Tigers are looking at a move that could change the AL Central race. They are interested in trading for Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton.This is getting attention because both teams are in the same division. Detroit wants to push forward after showing progress last season. Minnesota, on the other hand, may be thinking about a reset after a poor year.<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers looking to add a key player for 2026<\/p>\n

The Detroit Tigers finished 87-75 in 2025 and just missed the playoffs. The team improved but still needs a strong presence in the outfield.Players like Tarik Skubal and Riley Greene have helped the team grow. Still, Detroit lacks a player who can change games on his own. Buxton could fill that role with his power, speed, and defense.<\/p>\n

Possible trade package being discussed<\/p>\n

Nothing is confirmed yet, but one idea has been talked about often. Detroit could send a group of young players to Minnesota. \u2022 Detroit Tigers receive: Byron Buxton (CF) \u2022 Minnesota Twins receive: \u2022 Trey Sweeney (SS, 24, strong defense, power upside) \u2022 Jace Jung (2B, 24, reached MLB, good defender) \u2022 Ty Madden (RHP, 24, strong arm, some issues with control) \u2022 Bailey Horn (LHP, 27, left-handed pitcher with good spin)Detroit has built depth in young players. That gives them the ability to offer multiple prospects without hurting their main roster.<\/p>\n

Byron Buxton\u2019s 2025 season shows his value<\/p>\n

\"Byron<\/p>\n

Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins (Image via Getty)<\/p>\n

Byron Buxton had one of his best seasons in 2025.<\/p>\n

Statistical Snapshot: Byron Buxton (2025)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Games Played: 126 \u2022 Plate Appearances: 542 \u2022 Home Runs: 35 \u2022 Stolen Bases: 24 \u2022 OPS: .878 \u2022 WAR: 4.9He brings power and speed at the same time. He is also one of the best defensive center fielders in the league.For Detroit, this would fix a clear need in center field. Players like Javier B\u00e1ez and Kerry Carpenter have had good moments but have not been consistent.<\/p>\n

Why Minnesota Twins could consider the move<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Twins went 70-92 in 2025 and missed the playoffs. The team is not in a strong place right now.Buxton is still a key player, but his contract is large. He signed a seven-year, $100 million deal in 2022 that runs through 2028.<\/p>\n

Current Twins outfield<\/p>\n

\u2022 Byron Buxton (CF) – 32 years old, .878 OPS in 2025 \u2022 Trevor Larnach (LF) – good approach at the plate \u2022 James Outman (RF) – power hitter, defense is a concern \u2022 Austin Martin (OF) – gets on base well \u2022 Matt Wallner (OF) – power option off the benchThe Twins already have several outfield options. That could make Buxton easier to move if they want to rebuild.<\/p>\n

Pros and cons for Detroit Tigers<\/p>\n

Pros: \u2022 Adds a strong power hitter (35 home runs) \u2022 Brings speed on the bases (24 steals) \u2022 Improves defense in center field \u2022 Makes the team more competitive right awayCons: \u2022 Injury history is a concern \u2022 Long contract could affect future moves \u2022 Trade within division can be risky<\/p>\n

Pros and cons for Minnesota Twins<\/p>\n

\"Zac<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game (Image via AP Photo)<\/p>\n

Pros: \u2022 Gets young players with team control \u2022 Builds depth for the future \u2022 Creates some financial flexibility \u2022 Helps start a rebuildCons: \u2022 Loses a top player \u2022 Prospects may not develop \u2022 Could weaken the current team<\/p>\n

Detroit outfield before and after trade<\/p>\n

PlayerPos2025 Games2025 HR2025 SB2025 OPS Riley Greene LF 142 27 16 .842 Kerry Carpenter OF 112 22 6 .762 Parker Meadows CF 102 15 14 .721 Matt Vierling RF 98 12 8 .694 Javier B\u00e1ez OF 85 18 12 .712<\/p>\n

After adding Byron Buxton<\/p>\n

PlayerPos2025 Games2025 HR2025 SB2025 OPS Byron Buxton CF 126 35 24 .878 Riley Greene LF 142 27 16 .842 Kerry Carpenter RF 112 22 6 .762 Parker Meadows OF 102 15 14 .721 Matt Vierling 2B 98 12 8 .694Detroit would clearly improve in center field while keeping a solid group around Buxton.<\/p>\n

Minnesota outfield after trade<\/p>\n

PlayerPos2025 Games2025 HR2025 SB2025 OPS Trevor Larnach LF 126 21 10 .789 James Outman RF 108 24 5 .792 Matt Wallner OF 78 18 3 .761 Austin Martin OF 65 8 10 .743The Twins would rely more on balance instead of one star player.<\/p>\n

Team structure and age outlook<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers (after trade)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Byron Buxton (CF): 32, experienced player \u2022 Riley Greene (LF): 25, key part of lineup \u2022 Kerry Carpenter (RF): 26, growing hitter \u2022 Parker Meadows (OF): 25, strong defense \u2022 Matt Vierling (2B): 28, flexible roleDetroit would have a mix of young and experienced players.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Twins (after trade)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Trevor Larnach: 28, steady hitter \u2022 James Outman: 28, power focus \u2022 Matt Wallner: 26, situational bat \u2022 Austin Martin: 25, contact hitterMinnesota would focus more on development.<\/p>\n

Who benefits more?<\/p>\n

Detroit benefits more in the short term. Buxton would improve the team right away and help in a playoff push.Minnesota\u2019s return depends on the young players. If they develop well, the trade could help in the long run. If not, losing Buxton could hurt.My final thoughts on this mock tradeThis trade shows two different paths. Detroit wants to win now. Minnesota may be planning for the future.If the move happens, it could affect the division race in 2026. Much will depend on Buxton\u2019s health and how the young players perform.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal delivers during the second inning of an opening-day baseball game against the San…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":659941,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2386],"tags":[84186,5,84185,147,53,84184,2583,4,5800,594,84187],"class_list":{"0":"post-659940","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-detroit-tigers","8":"tag-al-central-race-2026","9":"tag-baseball","10":"tag-byron-buxton-trade-news","11":"tag-detroit","12":"tag-detroit-tigers","13":"tag-detroit-tigers-trading-byron-buxton","14":"tag-detroittigers","15":"tag-mlb","16":"tag-mlb-trade-rumors","17":"tag-tigers","18":"tag-tigers-outfield-improvements"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116338173030947532","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=659940"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659940\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/659941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=659940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=659940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=659940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}