The Minnesota Twins have a problem they’ve had for over a decade. His name is Byron Buxton. He’s a superstar when he plays. And he just got hurt again.
Buxton left Sunday’s win over the Yankees after aggravating a hip injury. He said it was ‘a little sore’ and that he was being ‘a little more smart than trying to fight through it.’ That’s the responsible thing to say. But the reality is Buxton has played more than 100 games in a season exactly three times in his 12-year career. He’s never played a full season. He’s 31 now. The clock is ticking.
The Twins are four games out of the AL Central lead at the All-Star break. They’re a fringe contender. If Buxton misses real time and they don’t address the roster, that window closes fast. So the question is simple: do they buy or sell?
Everyone knows the answer they want to give. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll told MLB.com flatly: ‘We have no plans to trade Byron. It’s not something we’re exploring.’ Buxton has a full no-trade clause and told The Athletic he has no interest in waiving it. That’s loyalty. That’s also a trap.
Look at the math. Buxton hit 35 homers in 2024, a career high. He was on pace for more this year before the hip flared up. He’s a legitimate power bat. But his legs can’t hold up. And the Twins bullpen is a mess. Anthony Banda is out for months with a lat injury. The team needs relief help from both sides, according to MLB.com’s Matthew Leach. They need young arms. They need depth. Holding onto Buxton because it’s comfortable is how you finish third in the division for another three years.
There’s a real argument here: trade Buxton now while his value is still high enough to bring back a haul of prospects. Even with the injury history, some team that thinks it’s one power bat away from a deep run will pay the price. The Twins could restock their farm system. They could build a roster that’s actually built to win by 2028, instead of patching holes around a guy who can’t stay on the field.
But that takes guts. It takes telling a franchise legend it’s time to go. So far, the Twins haven’t shown they have that nerve. They’ll probably hold on, cross their fingers, and hope Buxton’s hip holds up for one more stretch run. That’s the safe play. It’s also the mistake they can’t afford to make again.
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