Byron Buxton remains the center of the Twins’ lineup, but the bigger picture is getting harder to ignore.
When he’s in the lineup, the production is obvious. When he’s out, the difference is just as clear.
That’s why Minnesota has spent so many years building around him. But with Buxton getting older and his injury history piling up, the Twins are facing a real decision about how long that plan can last.
According to the MLB Transaction Log, Buxton has landed on the IL 26 times since 2015. His longest stay came in 2021, when a left-hand fracture cost him 66 games. In 2026 alone, he missed 61 games across three separate IL stints, all tied to his right hip.
Even with the missed time, Buxton was excellent when he played. In 93 games in 2026, he put up a 128 wRC+ with 25 home runs and 46 RBIs.
Had he stayed healthy all year, he likely would have topped his career-high 35 homers, which he posted in 202. He still has the kind of bat that can make him an MVP candidate.
The problem is that the Twins still haven’t been able to count on that version of him for a full season.
That’s why the conversation may need to shift. The organization has had good reason to make Buxton the face of the roster, but the evidence now suggests it may be time to move in another direction.
Minnesota has a young outfield group on the way, and Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are at the front of it. Both got a taste of the majors in late August and September, and both should be in line for a bigger role in 2027. The Twins should be building around that next wave.
There’s also a practical reason to think about change this offseason: the center field market in free agency is thin. That could push the Twins to at least explore trade possibilities, even if moving a franchise star would be a tough call. Still, it may be the move that leaves the organization in the strongest position for the years ahead.
In Other News...
Twins Prospect Is Making One Big Question Harder To Ignore
Kyle DeBarge entered the Twins system with plenty of pedigree after going 33rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the highest selection in Louisiana-Lafayette history, and Minnesota has spent the last couple of seasons learning what kind of player it really has. The infielder reached Double-A Wichita in 2026, where the bat lagged behind the reputation, but his glove kept pushing him forward, enough for him to win the 2025 Minor League Gold Glove Award at second base and continue showing the kind of defensive flexibility clubs value.
The Arizona Fall League assignment was designed to help DeBarge clean up the offensive side while giving the Twins another look at how his game plays at different spots on the diamond. He has responded with noticeable improvement at the plate and has also continued to move around defensively, which only adds to the intrigue around a prospect whose path to Minnesota now seems less about whether he can defend and more about how quickly the bat can catch up. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Just Lost Pitching Depth As Another Roster Move Looms
The Twins pitching depth took another hit when the Mets claimed right-hander Jack Anderson off waivers, removing a name from a bullpen mix that had already been in flux. Anderson had only recently come into Minnesotas orbit after the club picked him up from Boston earlier this season, and while his big league experience is limited, he had drawn interest because of a varied arsenal and a minor league track record that suggested there might still be something to work with.
For Minnesota, the move adds another layer to a roster picture that has been changing quickly. Andersons departure surfaced before the Twins had publicly announced any corresponding roster move, leaving the next step in the shuffle still to be sorted out as the club continues to manage its pitching inventory. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Jeffers Just Put A Big Twins Offseason Decision In Play
The Twins have put Ryan Jeffers squarely in the center of one of their biggest offseason questions by extending him a qualifying offer, a move that keeps the catcher tied to Minnesota for now while also giving the club a fallback if he ultimately leaves. Jeffers has said he is open to returning, but he also plans to test free agency and see where the market takes him, which is exactly the kind of uncertainty teams try to get ahead of at this stage.
For Minnesota, the decision is about more than just whether Jeffers is back behind the plate next season. His choice will shape the Twins catching picture and determine whether the organization simply retains a familiar piece or gains a future draft asset in return. The clock is now ticking on Jeffers next move, and the Twins will be waiting to see whether his offseason begins with a return or a broader search for his value. [Read more 🡒]