Byron Buxton wants to be in Minnesota. He’s made that clear. But as the Twins reshaped their roster this offseason, sending shockwaves through the clubhouse and fanbase alike, the face of the franchise has found himself in a frustrating position - not because he’s been traded, but because of the silence around the idea that he might be.
Let’s rewind. During last year’s All-Star break, Buxton put the trade talk to bed himself, saying, *“I’m a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life.”
- That’s not just a soundbite - it’s a statement of loyalty. And with a full no-trade clause in his contract, he holds the power to back it up.
But that was before Minnesota started making big moves - and not the kind that signal a team pushing for October. The front office dealt away nearly 40% of its big-league roster, including cornerstone players like Carlos Correa and Jhoan Durán, in a clear effort to cut payroll and restock the farm system. That kind of turnover naturally sparks questions about who’s next - and Buxton’s name quickly resurfaced in the rumor mill.
In November, reports surfaced that Buxton might be open to waiving his no-trade clause if the Twins moved either Joe Ryan or Pablo López - two key arms who were also floated in trade discussions. The idea wasn’t that Buxton was looking to leave, but rather that if the team was heading into a full rebuild, he’d at least consider his options.
Then came a report in early December that seemed to calm the waters. According to Ken Rosenthal, Minnesota planned to keep its star players and build around them for 2026.
But despite that, the rumors didn’t stop. And what really bothered Buxton wasn’t just the speculation - it was the silence from the top.
“All it takes is for somebody at the top to go to the media, ‘We’re not trading you,’” Buxton told reporters on Sunday. “Trade rumors stop, and now we don’t have those conversations. That’s how simple this could get.”
He’s not wrong. A public vote of confidence from the front office could’ve shut the door on the rumors and reaffirmed what Buxton - and Twins fans - already hoped was true: that he’s a centerpiece, not a trade chip.
To be fair, Buxton can’t be traded unless he gives the green light. That’s the power of a no-trade clause.
But that doesn’t mean the constant swirl of rumors doesn’t take a toll. Buxton had every reason to expect a more direct show of support from the organization, especially after the season he just had - a .878 OPS, 35 home runs, and another Silver Slugger added to his résumé.
That’s not just production. That’s leadership.
That’s a franchise player.
And that’s what makes the lack of public backing so puzzling. Buxton is under contract through 2028.
He’s beloved by the fanbase. He wants to be there.
Yet the team didn’t take the simple step of saying so out loud. Instead, the message came through reports, not from the front office itself - and that’s where the frustration sets in.
Looking ahead, there’s still a cloud of uncertainty. If the 2026 season doesn’t go according to plan, Minnesota could find itself in sell mode again by the deadline.
And if that happens, Buxton might be more open to waiving his clause. But right now, he’s still in a Twins uniform.
He still wants to be in Minnesota. And he still deserves the kind of clear, public backing that a player of his caliber - and commitment - has earned.
For now, Buxton remains the heartbeat of the franchise. But the Twins’ front office would do well to remember: loyalty is a two-way street.