Byron Buxton has been a fixture in Minnesota since breaking into the league back in 2015, and over the years, he’s carved out a reputation as one of the most dynamic players in baseball - when healthy, few can match his blend of power, speed, and defensive prowess in center field. He’s a two-time All-Star, the face of the franchise, and a cornerstone the Twins committed to long-term with a seven-year, $100 million deal signed in 2021. That contract includes a full no-trade clause - a clear sign of mutual commitment at the time.
But despite that ironclad clause, Buxton reportedly wasn’t thrilled with how this past offseason played out. According to recent reports, the 29-year-old "felt disrespected" that the Twins didn’t publicly shut down trade rumors involving his name.
From Buxton’s perspective, it’s not hard to understand the frustration. When a player gives everything to an organization - and signs on for the long haul with a no-trade clause - there’s an expectation of trust.
And even if the rumors were just smoke without fire, silence from the front office can sometimes speak louder than words.
Of course, in today’s league, no one is ever truly untouchable. We’ve seen it time and time again - big names, franchise icons, even players with hardware - moved when the right deal comes along.
That’s just the business. But Buxton’s situation is unique.
He holds the cards here. With the no-trade clause in place and a vocal desire to spend his entire career in Minnesota, the Twins can’t move him unless he says so.
From the organization’s standpoint, that clause might be why they didn’t feel the need to address the rumors head-on. If Buxton isn’t going anywhere without his approval, why fan the flames? But at the same time, silence can be interpreted as indifference - and that’s where the disconnect may have started.
Now, with spring training just around the corner, this tension - real or perceived - could hang over the early part of the season. These kinds of situations can go one of two ways: they either blow over once games begin and the focus shifts back to baseball, or they fester and create a deeper rift between player and team.
And if it’s the latter, we could be looking at a scenario where Buxton, despite holding the no-trade clause, starts to consider his options. Not because he wants out, but because he wants to be somewhere he feels fully valued.
For now, nothing has changed on paper. Buxton is still a Twin, still under contract, and still one of the most electric players in the game when he’s on the field.
But what happens next will depend on how this relationship is managed moving forward. In a sport where communication and trust between front office and clubhouse can make or break a season, this is a storyline worth watching.