The Atlanta Braves need a bat. Badly. And Byron Buxton might be the one that gets them where they want to go.
Buxton is a Georgia kid. Born and raised in Baxley, about 200 miles south of Truist Park. At 32, with a 12-year MLB career behind him that’s equal parts brilliance and broken bones, a homecoming trade makes a weird kind of sense. He hit 35 homers last season. He’s got 23 already this year and is on pace to challenge the Twins’ single-season franchise record. The guy can crush baseballs.
The problem? His body. He’s only played 100-plus games three times in his entire career. Last year’s 126 games was the second-highest total of his career. That’s the gamble. But the Braves might not have a choice.
Why Atlanta is desperate for an outfield bat
Austin Riley is still scuffling at the plate. Ronald Acuña Jr. is on the IL again and probably won’t be back until after the All-Star break. The Braves lineup has looked ordinary when it should look threatening. Adding a power hitter like Buxton — someone who can sit in the middle of that order next to Matt Olson — changes the whole dynamic.
The Twins aren’t exactly contenders either. They’re 35-40, sitting 4.5 games back in a weak AL Central. And according to Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy, Minnesota should be listening to offers.
“The Twins should be looking to flip Buxton,” McAvoy wrote. “He would bring a significant return back, but has a no-trade clause. The Twins don’t have all the control here, but Buxton has been a very good player for a long time. He should have a shot at a ring elsewhere.”
What the Braves would have to give up
It won’t be cheap. Here’s a realistic package that could get Minnesota’s attention.
Pitching prospect Owen Murphy
Murphy is the Braves’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB.com. He’s a 6-foot-1 right-hander coming back from Tommy John surgery. Before the injury, his fastball sat 91-92 mph. Since returning, he’s shown command and feel for a cutter-slider in the mid-80s, plus a slower curveball. His changeup is still a work in progress. But at 22, if his velocity bounces back, he’s got the makings of a big-league starter.
Shortstop prospect John Gil
Gil is further away — MLB.com projects him arriving around 2028. But his tools are loud. The 6-foot-1 right-handed hitter has elite speed, nearly top-of-the-scale, and has stolen 94 bases over the last two seasons stateside. He’s also disciplined at the plate, walking a lot and limiting strikeouts. He might stick at shortstop long-term, with that speed giving him range. No power yet, but there’s a body that could add strength.
If the Twins want a third piece, 19-year-old Conor Essenburg could be in the mix. He’s raw but has bat speed and strength. Could develop into a power bat down the line.
Two top-10-type prospects plus a lottery ticket. That should be enough to at least get a conversation started.
The real question isn’t the offer. It’s whether the Braves are willing to bet on Buxton staying healthy through October. His track record says no. But sometimes the biggest gambles pay off when it matters most.
Leave a Comment