For the Minnesota Twins, this offseason looms as one of the most significant in franchise history. A possible baseball lockout could complicate the planning, but the larger reality is harder to ignore: the Twins need to make major changes.
The boldest move on the table is also the one that would sting the most - trading Byron Buxton, even with his no-trade clause. It is the kind of decision that signals a full break from the current core, and it is the move the Twins should seriously pursue.
Minnesota does not look like a true World Series contender in 2027. There is still a path to the postseason, but it is more the wild-card kind, especially with other AL Central teams in the mix. That is why this feels like the right time for the Twins to lean into a re-tool rather than pretend they are one step away.
Buxton would be the hardest piece to move. He is a franchise icon, and parting with him would hurt.
But he is also frequently on the injured list, and that combination of risk and upside could make him extremely attractive on the trade market. Add in a weak free-agent class and a team-friendly contract, and the Twins would be dealing from a position of real leverage.
That leverage could bring back a return that changes the direction of the organization. The Padres’ 2024 deal that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees is the kind of framework worth thinking about: Michael King, Kyle Higashioka, plus additional depth pieces and trade assets. Minnesota might not land a package that strong because of Buxton’s injury history, but a similar kind of haul would be difficult to ignore.
The Twins also have some breathing room in the outfield pipeline. Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez both flashed in September, giving the team reasons to believe it has young options coming.
Atlanta stands out as one possible match. The Braves need outfield help, and if they are out of the postseason picture, they could become aggressive in chasing Buxton. Their prospect capital may not be the deepest, but Buxton would likely be more open to approving a move back home.
The Phillies and the Mets are also potential suitors, though neither would be viewed as a perfect source of prospect value. And this would not be the kind of deal the Twins should make just to shed salary. If Buxton goes, Minnesota needs top prospect talent or established major league help coming back.
The Twins do not need to rush this. But they should absolutely have it on the table this offseason.
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