If the Cincinnati Reds had a chance to land a 35-homer bat who also plays Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field, that would be the kind of move that could reshape the entire trajectory of their season - and possibly the franchise. Byron Buxton fits that profile almost too perfectly.
When healthy, he’s a game-changer on both sides of the ball. But as Reds fans know all too well, "when healthy" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence.
Buxton posted a .264/.327/.551 slash line with a 5.0 fWAR in just 126 games last season. Those numbers jump off the page, especially considering the limited sample.
He brings elite power, speed, and defense - a rare combination that doesn’t hit the trade market often. So when the Minnesota Twins started to shed some pieces last July, it wasn’t unreasonable to wonder if they might be headed toward a full-scale rebuild, one that could include Buxton waiving his no-trade clause.
Had that scenario played out, it would’ve been the kind of opportunity Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall would have to consider swinging big for - even if it meant dipping deep into the farm system. Buxton’s upside is that high, and Cincinnati’s budget is that tight. A move like that could’ve been the Reds’ version of going all-in without actually spending like a big-market team.
But that dream took a pretty direct hit this week, thanks to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll. Speaking on MLB Network Radio, Zoll made it clear that Minnesota isn’t looking to tear it all down.
In fact, quite the opposite. He acknowledged that the Twins received plenty of calls early in the offseason about some of their top veterans - specifically naming Buxton, along with starters Joe Ryan and Pablo López - but emphasized that the organization sees those three as foundational pieces.
The message? The Twins aren’t selling. At least not right now.
Zoll said the team’s focus is on “building the best team we can for 2026,” which suggests a retooling mindset rather than a full rebuild. That puts a hard pause on any Buxton-to-Cincinnati speculation. And while things can always change in MLB - especially if the standings start to shift or injuries hit - the Reds can’t afford to sit around and hope.
Minnesota’s decision to hold onto Buxton makes sense in the context of the AL Central, a division that’s still very much up for grabs. The Tigers are the most intriguing threat right now.
They’ve got financial flexibility, a young core, and a potential ace in Tarik Skubal - who, ironically, is also caught up in trade rumors as he approaches free agency. If Detroit decides to push its chips in, that could force Minnesota to reassess its own trajectory.
The Guardians and Royals are also lurking, and a couple of bold moves from either team could further complicate the landscape.
But that’s all hypothetical. As it stands, Buxton is staying put, and Cincinnati has to move on. Waiting for the Twins to change their mind is a dangerous game - one that could leave the Reds empty-handed if other outfield options come off the board in the meantime.
We’ve seen this movie before. The Reds had eyes on Kyle Schwarber at one point, and that door closed just as quickly.
Now it’s Buxton. And while the fit made all the sense in the world on paper, the reality is that Minnesota’s not ready to part ways with its stars.
So for now, the Reds need to pivot. The offseason clock doesn’t stop ticking, and with Buxton off the table, Cincinnati’s front office has to find another way to inject game-changing talent into this roster - without waiting for a door that might never open.