Twins GM Shuts Down Byron Buxton Trade Talk: ‘We Have No Plans to Move Him’

Byron Buxton isn’t going anywhere. At least that’s what the Minnesota Twins want everyone to know.

General manager Jeremy Zoll made it pretty clear Tuesday when asked about the swirling trade rumors involving the team’s superstar center fielder. The answer was about as direct as it gets.

“We have no plans to trade Byron,” Zoll told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. “It’s not something we’re exploring. It’s not something we plan to explore.”

That should put an end to the speculation, at least for now. Buxton also has a no-trade clause, so even if the front office changed its mind, he’d have to sign off on any deal. And when asked about the rumors recently, he said he doesn’t care about them.

Buxton Is Playing Like an MVP

There’s a good reason the Twins want to keep him. Buxton, 32, is having one of the best seasons of his career. Through 68 games, he’s hitting .275 with a .333 on-base percentage and a .596 slugging percentage. He also leads the American League with 25 home runs.

That puts him firmly in the MVP conversation. The Twins have been inconsistent this year, sitting at 38-42, but Buxton has been anything but. He’s been the one constant in a lineup that has struggled to find its rhythm.

The team is currently in third place in the AL Central, only 3.5 games back of the division lead. But honestly? This roster doesn’t look like it’s built for a deep October run. That’s why some people assumed the Twins might tear things down and trade Buxton for a haul of prospects.

Turns out, that’s not the plan.

Other Moves Still Possible

That doesn’t mean the Twins won’t be sellers before the trade deadline. According to reports, players like starting pitcher Joe Ryan and infielder Royce Lewis could still be on the move. The front office might look to trade other stars to build a stronger roster around Buxton for the long haul.

And that long haul is real. Buxton is under contract through the 2028 season. The Twins made a commitment to him, and Zoll’s comments suggest they’re sticking with it.

For now, Buxton and the Twins are focused on Tuesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The trade deadline is still weeks away. But at least one thing seems settled: Byron Buxton isn’t going anywhere.