Headlines

  • Blue Jays Sign Chad Green
  • Rays Extend Yandy Diaz
  • Dexter Fowler Announces Retirement
  • Mets Sign Jeff McNeil To Four-Year Extension
  • Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier
  • Darren O’Day Announces Retirement
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Twins Continuing To Explore Trade, Extension Scenarios With Byron Buxton

By Anthony Franco | November 16, 2021 at 9:12pm CDT

The lead-up to this past trade deadline for the Twins was highlighted by questions about Byron Buxton’s future in the organization. Minnesota discussed a long-term extension with his representatives at Jet Sports Management, but the club’s reported offer of an $80MM guarantee wasn’t enough to get a deal done. The Twins also fielded inquiries about Buxton’s availability in trade, but they ultimately elected to hold onto the star center fielder for the remainder of the season.

With Buxton now set to enter his final year of club control, the Twins are again faced with the question of how to proceed. The front office continues to explore both the possibility of a Buxton trade or renewed efforts at an extension, write Dan Hayes and Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. While the club has remained in contact with Buxton’s camp this offseason, there’s been no progress yet on a deal. The sticking point in extension talks this summer, according to Hayes and Rosenthal, was the front office’s unwillingness to include incentives that could push Buxton’s earning potential around $100MM. Whether that’s still the holdup in talks isn’t clear.

The lack of progress on an extension could point towards a trade being a likelier outcome, but the Athletic writes that Minnesota chairman Jim Pohlad is hesitant to sign off on moving Buxton elsewhere. This summer, Pohlad forcefully pushed back against the notion of the Twins kicking off a long-term rebuild. Between Minnesota’s internal group of talented position players and ample payroll flexibility that should enable the front office to add multiple starting pitchers this winter, a return to competitiveness next season wouldn’t seem to be out of the question. That all adds up to a challenging decision on how the organization should proceed with Buxton, who is one of the game’s most electrifying talents when healthy.

The sport’s former top prospect, Buxton has demonstrated that upside when able to take the field. He’s perhaps the game’s best defensive outfielder, a former Gold Glove winner who has twice appeared on MVP ballots. And Buxton is coming off an equally remarkable offensive showing, hitting .306/.358/.647 with 19 homers and nine steals over 254 plate appearances in 2021. Among players with 250+ plate appearances, only Bryce Harper outhit Buxton by measure of wRC+.

Of course, the health caveat is an important one. Buxton has only once topped 500 plate appearances in a given year (511 in 2017). The 27-year-old landed on the injured list on two separate occasions this past season, losing six weeks to a right hip strain suffered while trying to beat out a ground ball and missing two months after fracturing his left hand on a hit-by-pitch. Buxton has also missed time with left shoulder, right wrist and concussion issues just within the past three years.

While the Twins are keeping all their options open, the team doesn’t have to pick an absolute course of action this winter. Just as they did over the summer, Minnesota could elect to simply hang onto Buxton into 2022. He’s projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn a salary in the $7.3MM range in his final year of arbitration. The Twins could enter the 2022 season with Buxton on the roster and reevaluate their long-term options depending on the team’s performance and Buxton’s health over the first half.

That’s obviously a risky course of action itself. There’s always the looming possibility Buxton suffers another injury. Even if he stays healthy and productive, the team might not rebound as hoped. In that instance, the club would be left marketing just a few months of Buxton’s services at next summer’s trade deadline, where their return would likely be inferior to what they could pull in from clubs this winter.

Appropriately valuing a player with Buxton’s combination of raw talent, huge production and lengthy injury history is certainly a challenge — for each of the Twins’ front office, the player’s reps and other teams exploring the possibility of a blockbuster trade. That’s made all the more true by Minnesota’s atypical competitive situation, coming off a last place finish but with a clear desire to compete in 2022. That confluence of factors means Buxton’s future could be one of the bigger storylines of the upcoming winter, even though there’s no guarantee of any sort of resolution this offseason at all.

Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton

Orioles Hire Matt Borgschulte And Ryan Fuller As Co-Hitting Coaches
Main
Angels Sign Noah Syndergaard
View Comments (102)

Comments

  1. cpdpoet

    1 year ago

    As a Phillies fan @45yrs, I’ve asked the Buxton question a few times in chats as to why the Phils would want him, being an oft injured stellar talent….

    They need a talent who may be “less” than Buxton, but available for 140+ games…..

    Nothing against him, but please Phillies….a hard pass due to the crucial tipping point going on in this current playoff push….

    Reply
    • Cey Hey

      1 year ago

      There’s no games-played guarantee for any player. Just get the best players possible and let the chips fall where they may.

      Reply
      • cpdpoet

        1 year ago

        @ceyhey, as I see you are a frequent poster and a potentially a learned fan…..
        Most players that are oft injured early in their career….seriously talented or not…..don’t morph into 140+ game guys……….into their late 20’s…..

        And the minor league player return, in a less than good system, plus the potential of an extension….for him….C’mon….

        Reply
        • gbs42

          1 year ago

          cpdpoet – Starling Marte is available for nothing but money.

        • arby58

          1 year ago

          Buxton landed on the injured list last year from a hand fracture from a fastball, and the prior year by a fastball to his head. Some injuries are more bad luck than being ‘injury-prone.’ I hope the Twins keep him – he is an incredibly talented player and well- liked for his work ethic by his teammates.

      • DodgerBlonde

        1 year ago

        Más hooey! Glad your level of responsibility is not at the upper level of a baseball club.

        Reply
      • bravesfan88

        1 year ago

        No, youre exactly correct Cey Hey, but there are some players that just tend to get injured more often than others.

        If you happen to be a team that can’t afford to miss on a big trade or big signing, then you might shy away from someone like Buxton who tends to miss alot of time. If you’re a team with a larger payroll and/or a really deep farm system, then it might be less damming to risk signing a player who tends to have his fair share of injuries and you can more afford to take the risk…etc..

        Reply
      • rct

        1 year ago

        You do have to take into account how often a player is hurt, though. He’s been in the league 7 years and has only played more than 92 games once. Another way to put it that factors in the fact that 2020 was only 50 games is that he’s only played more than 57% of his team’s games twice: 2020 (78%) and 2017 (86.4%).

        If you’re not considering his injury history and only looking at how good he is when he does play, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

        Reply
        • Baseball 1600

          1 year ago

          If is supposed frailty lowers his trade value, that’s a risk I would take if it means giving up less prospects. If the Twins act like he’s a 162 game playing MVP though, different story.

        • Samuel

          1 year ago

          @ rct;

          He got injured quite often in he minors as well.

        • badco44

          1 year ago

          Got to agree with RCT… bad track record on the injuries, and the dollars just don’t justify it. Spend your money wisely guys. A lot of teams looking for that CF that hits and gloves up… the ones that do bring home the big bucks!

        • JackStrawb

          1 year ago

          @badco44 In support of that, just look at who the Angels replaced Mike Trout with for a couple of months when he went out: Juan Freaking Lagares.

          Billy Hamilton still found work. Expect a Keon Broxton deal any day now.

      • The Mets "Missed WAR"

        1 year ago

        I find it interesting the Twins were willing to guarantee Buxton $80M but not kick in the extra $20M based on incentives. I would think due to his injury history teams would be willing to pay Buxton handsomely for incentives but not guarantee much money. That way he’s cheap if he doesn’t play. If he becomes expensive it’s a good thing because that means he’s playing often enough to produce. I wouldn’t mind paying Buxton $200M as long as it was all based on incentives he had to earn. He’s worth it when he’s healthy and if he gets hurt he would be virtually free.

        Reply
        • JackStrawb

          1 year ago

          It’s because the 80m is already an overpay.

        • gbs42

          1 year ago

          Buxton’s injury history certainly makes him an outlier, but it’s always interesting to me how so many fans are bothered by players getting paid big bucks at the end of a contract when their careers are winding down, yet the same fans rarely mention the fact that players are underpaid significantly during the first six years of their major league careers.

        • crise

          1 year ago

          There was never any mention of how many years that $80m was for. There’s a lot of room for opinion until we find out if it was three or seven years.

        • JackStrawb

          1 year ago

          @gbs42 People do mention it all the time, but usually in the context of how their teams can now afford to sign big time FAs.

        • gbs42

          1 year ago

          @Jack – mentioning it and doing something to address the problem are two vastly different things.

        • twins33

          1 year ago

          In the summer it was reported to be 7 years.

  2. Action

    1 year ago

    I hope Buxton can stay healthy the rest of his career. I know that probably is too much to ask, but would be super fun to see him playing well and healthy like he did to start off 2021.

    Reply
  3. DarrenDreifortsContract

    1 year ago

    100 million for Buxton? LMAOOOOOOO

    Reply
    • dshires4

      1 year ago

      If he replicates his 2021 season in 2022 and heads into free agency with that season, he’s easily a $100M player.

      Reply
      • Dustyslambchops23

        1 year ago

        You mean playing exceptionally and get injured twice?

        Not sure that will help his cause

        Reply
        • Eddy Treadway

          1 year ago

          You can’t fault a guy for missing time from getting hit by a pitch. The hip strain that cost him six weeks is definitely par for conversation though

      • rct

        1 year ago

        He played in 61 games this year. No way he’s a $100 million player if he replicates that.

        Reply
        • dshires4

          1 year ago

          Lol my bad.. I forgot to specify the stat line. He was damn good when on the field. Obviously his health is a majorrrrrr concern with a long term contract.

  4. TwinsFan1124

    1 year ago

    I love Nash Walker’s take on this. Give him a 7/100 baseline deal with escalators given plate appearances and MVP votes. If he secures an MVP vote, his salary escalates. Securing a MVP, his salary would escalate to a tune of 45 million for a year. Let Buxton bet on himself. If not, a 14 million dollar salary versus a season he had last year, would be worth the cost. If Buck gets hurt than you won’t take more than the 14 million home for that season. If he performs and plays at the level he can when he’s on the field, than that’s a price the Twins should be willing to pay. If the Twins decide to trade him, what’s his worth?

    Reply
    • iverbure

      1 year ago

      How about a salary solely based on games played? Or how about a team opt out if he misses over half the games in a season?

      Reply
      • JackStrawb

        1 year ago

        @iverbure Great ideas, but it only takes one team willing to guarantee money to render that offer an interesting footnote.

        Reply
      • JoeBrady

        1 year ago

        iverbure
        How about a salary solely based on games played?
        ========================================
        It would probably come out the same. If you pay him per game, He is going to want Trout money, because that’s what his per-game value is at. I’d rather pay him less, because of the injury risk, and hope he exceeds expectations.

        Reply
  5. jacobsigel1025

    1 year ago

    Buxton to Boston for Duran Groome and Decker. Only one year of Buxton and a top 100 guy in Buxton with another high upside high risk in Groome

    Reply
    • Thomar

      1 year ago

      That’s insane

      Reply
    • FletcherFan69

      1 year ago

      Boston wouldn’t do that for 1 year of Buxton. Decker along with someone like Matthew Lugo could get it done possibly. With that said, Sox have gotta be pretty happy with Hernandez in center and he recently said something along the lines of “the prospects better find another position to play, because I’ve got CF locked down for years” on IG Live.

      Reply
    • Bustedstuff88

      1 year ago

      LMFAO…..NO

      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      1 year ago

      I would do Duran for Buxton, but Groome still has some ceiling left.

      Reply
  6. GETBUCKETS

    1 year ago

    Buxton will cost a ton of bucks

    Reply
  7. geg42

    1 year ago

    Renew then trade. Like the NBA

    Reply
    • iverbure

      1 year ago

      There’s no reason why mlb teams would ever do that. There’s a reason why it never happens in mlb. The reason why it only happens in the nba is because the team who has the player can offer the player more years than the other 29 teams.

      Reply
      • emac22

        1 year ago

        You don’t think there is any advantage to either team if the Twins extend him and then trade him?

        The argument that something doesn’t happen really does not mean it can’t or shouldn’t happen.

        He’s more valuable as a trade chip if he’s signed for more than one year.

        You don’t think getting more in trade is a reason?

        Or

        As for the acquiring team, you don’t think most teams would pay more if he was signed long term?

        Your argument for why it happens in the NBA is true but how can you say there isn’t any reason to do it in MLB?

        Reply
        • marzy

          1 year ago

          Because you are basically selling a commitment, not an asset. The minute you sign him to the long term deal, his trade value sinks. Its not like they can sign him to a deal that would be sooooo under-market that teams would want to pay him his market value salary AND give up prospects to do it.

          It works in the NBA because their is the built in advantage given to the team in control of the player and that condition doesn’t exist in the MLB.

          Sure, its possible to sign someone below market and then trade them, but it would be poor negotiating on Buxton’s agent’s part if they left so much money on the table that another team would not only want to pay him that salary but also give up prospect assets (which are cheap and don’t come as a commitment). He might as well wait until free agency because there is no incentive for them to sign an extension that would be under market value just so his team can trade him. At least in free agency he gets to choose where he goes.

  8. bravesfan88

    1 year ago

    Regardless of his issues missing games previously it doesn’t sound like Buxton nor his camp is asking for too much. When he plays, he’s more than worth that money, and if his contract has incentives for him being in the field and protection for the team against a larger salary if he’s hurt, that sounds like a perfectly reasonable deal.

    Reply
    • Samuel

      1 year ago

      @ bravesfan88;

      As a fan I don’t get involved too much in the dollar amounts players get (or statistics.). Mostly I watch to see what a player is doing on the field to help his team win.
      –
      From the article:

      “The sticking point in extension talks this summer, according to Hayes and Rosenthal, was the front office’s unwillingness to include incentives that could push Buxton’s earning potential around $100MM.”
      –
      Again, I don’t know about the ultimate dollar amount, but if there is a player in MLB that should be given an incentive-based contract, this is the guy.

      Is it the owner or FO that live in fantasyland? Bryan Buxton’s next contract past 2022 is going to be filled with incentives. With his injury history teams have no choice. If he’s on the field and plays as he has the past few years when he was healthy, the man deserves to be in the top 5% salary-wise. But if he misses chunks of time again then it would be irresponsible for any FO to have given him a large guaranteed contract.

      Reply
      • crise

        1 year ago

        No one has ever mentioned how many years these discussions are for. If it’s six or three you can see issues, but at four or five these are all pretty reasonable numbers. The devil is in the details.

        Reply
        • JoeBrady

          1 year ago

          I think a few posters have noticed that. $80M/5, plus another $20M, topps off at $20M. If it is only four years, then you are talking $25M per. Just on base salary, there is a fair difference between paying him $20M per or paying him $16M per.

        • masisk33

          1 year ago

          It was 80mil over 7 yrs. Its all over the internet

  9. twinky

    1 year ago

    I would pass on the little hurt

    Reply
  10. Yep it is

    1 year ago

    Twins aren’t signing any pitcher to make a difference. Beautiful place , free agents aren’t flocking to go. Not going to compete again next year. Too many holes I. The pitching department.

    Reply
  11. Bledcam

    1 year ago

    Buxton to Rangers for Taveras, Ornelas and Hernandez. Do the Twins hang up?

    Reply
    • iverbure

      1 year ago

      The rangers should after thinking up that dumb idea.

      Reply
  12. Ma4170

    1 year ago

    Most clubs are too savvy at this point to overpay for players who just cannot play full seasons bc they’ve proven to be injury prone… talent and upside shouldn’t outweigh lack of reliability… but there’s always that one team that’s willing to pay for the miracle that might happen, but we know never will… I wonder who that team will be with buxton… with my luck, it will be my Mets

    Reply
  13. Rsox

    1 year ago

    If Buxton could stay on the field he would be one of the best players in baseball. However, because he hasn’t been able to play a full season in all but one of his seasons in the Majors how do you justify asking/paying him as such, or in trade asking for a big prospect haul in return? It really is a tough situation with Buxton

    Reply
    • masisk33

      1 year ago

      Because his potential is greater than anyone you could get in a trade

      Reply
  14. robzilla1572

    1 year ago

    How about marchaun and Gibson for him ?

    Reply
  15. Samuel

    1 year ago

    Ah-Ha! So it’s the owner that won’t allow a rebuild so they tell the fans that they can comeback quickly.
    –
    “Between Minnesota’s internal group of talented position players and ample payroll flexibility that should enable the front office to add multiple starting pitchers this winter, a return to competitiveness next season wouldn’t seem to be out of the question.”
    –
    If they signed Max Scherzer and Kevin Gausman it’s doubtful they could pass the White Sox, Tigers and Guardians in 2022 unless those teams have major long-term injuries to key people. After those 2 pitch their 380 innings, tell us who pitches the other 1,000.

    Reply
  16. CalcetinesBlancos

    1 year ago

    I’m honestly surprised that people care this much about a guy who barely plays. If I’m the Twins I let everyone know he’s available and take the first offer with decent value, assuming you find someone dumb enough to do that.

    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      1 year ago

      Given the fact that they are behind a few teams atleast in their division with a large amount of holes to patch up, I agree.

      They should trade anyone with value older than 26, the window for this core ended last April

      Reply
    • Bustedstuff88

      1 year ago

      This was the dumbest comment ive seen on here in a long time

      Reply
    • Paul Griggs

      1 year ago

      You should watch him play. He makes defensive plays that few others can make. He can steal bases. He hits for power. He can hit for average. He has a strong arm. He’s the Twins MVP by far when he’s healthy. If he’s willing to take an incentive laden contract and about $11-$12 million per year as a base, he would be a steal. If the Twins sign him, other players will want to join the Twins. Some of the recent injuries have been freak accidents.

      Reply
      • Baldkid

        1 year ago

        I agree with most of what you said but what is key is “when he’s healthy”.

        Reply
  17. bigdaddyhacks

    1 year ago

    Seattle is perfect for him.

    Reply
    • FAILvyHasToGo

      1 year ago

      Seattle is loaded with OF and prospects. They don’t need him

      Reply
      • iverbure

        1 year ago

        Seattle doesn’t have a true CF. Kyle Lewis given his own injury issues probably profiles better at a corner now.

        Reply
        • FAILvyHasToGo

          1 year ago

          yes but if I am Seattle I go after Marte instead of trading prospects at this point. Maybe see about moving Lewis to get some pitching

  18. phantomofdb

    1 year ago

    It makes total sense to do a safer BASE salary since he’s been injured more often than he’s been healthy for the last several years. But I don’t understand why they wouldn’t have incentives that pay him north of 100 million. If he’s healthy, he’s well worth that.

    Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      1 year ago

      Because if you offer him an 80m base salary, but then need to pay 20m more if he’s good, you’re lowering the potential surplus value that you’d put into that type of risk/reward calculation. It’d be interesting to see if they can work out something for a similar $100m total value, maybe 70m guarantee with 30m incentives, something that’d reduce the risk the Twins face should he continue to be oft injured or bad, but still give Buxton the $100m opportunity if he’s not.

      Reply
  19. FAILvyHasToGo

    1 year ago

    The Twins front office is a joke. Why would you not offer Buxton a contract that would approach 100M if he stays healthy. Heck if he stays healthy for the next 5 years it would b a steal. 6 year deal for 90M, with an out clause after 3 years if he averages over 140 games for three years with incentives to increase pay 5M per year should get it done. But they won’t think outside the box, Signing Buxton should be priority #1, trade Donaldson #2, #3 go get as much pitching as you can get — need at least 3 SP. Otherwise trade Donaldson for prospects, move Buxton to highest bidder and hope to not lose 100 games

    Reply
    • iverbure

      1 year ago

      If he stays healthy for the next 5 years he says… good lord no wonder casinos make so much money.

      Reply
  20. TrillionaireTeamOperator

    1 year ago

    If ever there was a player who deserved a ridiculously low base salary with every kind of incentive to push it up ridiculously high, it’s Buxton.

    He paced to be worth about 12 WAR in 2021, IF he had played all year. 4.5 WAR in 61 games.

    I think Buxton should get a contract along the lines of what the Twins were offering, but with way more incentives: $10M AAV base salary, with an additional $1M for every 10 games played, $1M additional for every 50 plate appearances, $5M bonus if he spends less than X number of days on the IL per season. That would mean that in 2021 he would have been paid $21M for his contributions, which would be about in line with his 4.5 WAR over 61 games and if he had played the entire year he could have made up to $43M, which is the value of the 12 WAR he was pacing for.

    Or just say $5M base salary every year and for every .1 WAR you get, you get an additional $300k. That’d have been $18.5M this season and could be over $40M a year if he stayed healthy.

    Either way, if he actually can stay healthy and play, he gets his $30M+ per season and if he can’t stay healthy, the Twins or some other club are only out $5-$10M per season on Buxton, which is a reasonable price to pay for his production when he is active.

    Reply
  21. GarryHarris

    1 year ago

    Minnesota is looking for pitchers. Byron Buxton is so intriguing that he won’t stay put in Minnesota. Someone will take a chance on him. But who?
    SDP, PHI, TBR, TOR, LAD, ATL, NYM and NYY is always in play.

    Reply
    • Roy DeMeo

      1 year ago

      Yeah, but what about TEX, LAA, BOS, BAL, OAK, MIA, WAS, CHC, MIL, SFG, SEA, HOU, PIT, CWS, KC, COL, ARI, DET, SFG, STL, CIN, and the Indians? Lots of possibilities……

      Reply
  22. dodgerblue1

    1 year ago

    Buxton is so overrated. He and his reps should count themselves lucky even one organization is willing to extend themselves so far financially to extend him. He should take that 80m and then continue the trend of playing 2 weeks on 1 month off watching the action from the bench but handsomely paid

    Reply
  23. cincinnatikid

    1 year ago

    Reds trade Nick senzel to twins for Buxton. Both have potential but can’t stay healthy. Reds might add a player to sweeten the deal

    Reply
    • phantomofdb

      1 year ago

      Lol why would the twins do that. When Buxton has been healthy he’s actually been very good, not just “potential”. He’s a defensive game changer and has seemingly found his bat too

      Reply
    • lemonlyman

      1 year ago

      2 years ago maybe, but Senzel’s trade value has drastically dropped. That’s be like saying Scott Kingsley for Buxton. 2 years ago maybe, but now? Not a chance.

      Reply
  24. StudWinfield

    1 year ago

    Frazier and Andujar for Buxton…mic drop.

    Reply
  25. ohyeadam

    1 year ago

    Do the Twins and Reds have the same owners?

    Reply
  26. Freddie Morales

    1 year ago

    Such a perfect fit for the Mets. Mets have inexpensive MLB pieces to add to a trade since I don’t see the Twins as a rebuilding team.

    Reply
  27. Baldkid

    1 year ago

    Buxton is pretty close to the JJ Watt of baseball (granted Watt has a few more accolades than Buxton) Both are great when they play….WHEN THEY PLAY.

    Reply
  28. emac22

    1 year ago

    Tallion, German, Hicks and Florial.

    Reply
  29. Ducky Buckin Fent

    1 year ago

    This is such a tough call.

    I have seen Buxton play out here a handful of times. Straight up & down: I would have a hard time naming 10 players whom had more talent on the diamond than he that I have ever seen. On sheer baseball ability, this is a kid that definitely has MVP season capability.

    Yet, as everyone is pointing out, he really struggles to stay on the field. Which, is the cause of all the differing takes.

    Bottom line: even with the injury stuff, if I am Brian Cashman, I would be all over Buxton. I’m a sucker for talent & ability though. & this kid certainly has that.

    Reply
    • JoeBrady

      1 year ago

      Maybe the highest risk/reward position player ever. Fred Lynn use to be that guy, but Buxton takes it to a new level. His bWAR/650 PAs, over the past three years, is 9.1. I have to assume that is the best in baseball. Trout’s not close at 7.6.

      Taking that comparison one step further, Trout’s bWAR from 2019-2021, was 11.5, against Buxton’s 9.6. Do you know how many PAs it took to achieve that 9.6? 684. That’s the equivalent of one full season.

      If I were the RS, I’d trade for him and put the $80M/5 + $20M in incentives, and not think twice.

      Reply
      • JackStrawb

        1 year ago

        What’s bizarre to me is that teams never account for significant fragility with position players. No one will ever sign Buxton with the understanding that he’s going to be played 3x a week. So of course someone will sign him, at most give him the occasional day off, and we’ll continue to see what we’ve seen with the Twins until his skills are ruined by age 30.

        It’d be fascinating to see what Farhan Zaidi would do with him. No one better at keeping old players on the field and producing well.

        Reply
        • JoeBrady

          1 year ago

          I think it goes without saying that teams take the injury-risk into the calculation. If Buxton played 160 games each year, he might be a $30M+ player. His bWAR/650 PAs over the past three years is a lot higher than Trout, and probably every other player. Correa probably gets ~ $300M/10, and his bWAR/650 for the last three years is 6.9. Buxton is at 9.1.

          So Minny is definitely considering it, as does Buxton with his willingness to sign for $80M + $20M.

          The only thing really at play here is assessing how many games he’ll play. If he plays 120 games, I see no way he has anything less than a 4.0 WAR. At 140, he is an AS. At 160, he could be in MVP territory.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          1 year ago

          Brady gets it.

          To me he is one of those “worth the price of admission” guys; a blast to watch.

  30. dsteig

    1 year ago

    Pay the man Twins. Quit screwing around

    Reply
  31. Bob333

    1 year ago

    Stay away from Buxton too much money for oft injured,I don’t care what team has interest.

    Reply
  32. nottinghamforest13

    1 year ago

    He has a lousy attitude – me first at all times. He’ll always be a player where people wonder “what if”, but that would have required him to work hard and be a team oriented guy.

    Reply
    • paindonthurt

      1 year ago

      I don’t see that at all. He has a play hard 100% mentality minus the potential cost to his body.

      Reply
      • nottinghamforest13

        1 year ago

        He turns it on when it’s convenient for him. When it can “benefit” him.

        Reply
    • WolvesSufferer

      1 year ago

      Lol this makes no sense at all. When has he ever shown this kind of an attitude? The only remotely controversial thing that’s happened with him was when the Twins left him in AAA a few years ago in September to delay his free agency. And that was sketchy by the Front Office.

      I think it’s clear what you’re really hinting at and it’s just gross.

      Reply
  33. WolvesSufferer

    1 year ago

    I think it’s time to move on from the current Front Office if they let Buxton go. After seeing Berrios sign for a below market deal with Toronto when this front office kept suggesting that his demands were too high it’s clear they’re philosophy is simply too stubborn.

    The Twins have no chance of acquiring any player with Buxtons talent level in the near future. Buxton missed 101 games or whatever last year and still provided more than $20 million in value to the team.

    If he’ll really sign a 7 year extension that would max out around 100 million if he stays healthy, it’s a no brainer to extend him. This team is paying Josh Donaldson 23 million a year, average Max Kepler nearly $10 million… they can absolutely win with Byron Buxton making between $11 and $15 million, even if he misses 75 games a year on average. If he stays healthy you’ve lost a league MVP for what? So you can sign Alex Colome and JA Happ for 15 million for a year?

    The front office is getting too cute. Some decisions are simple and they keep acting like it’s such a hard decision. I understand letting Buxton go if he’s asking for something like 20 million a year but if 100 million over 7 years will get it done, it’s ridiculous it isn’t signed already.

    Reply
    • The Einheri

      1 year ago

      It’s saddened me when I saw how little it took for Toronto to extend Berrios. It screamed out to me that
      1) Twins ownership/management must be complete jerks to work for
      2) Twins ownership/management are overly cheap, greedy, and liars
      3) Twins ownership/management do not respect fans
      4) Twins ownership/management aren’t very “baseball savvy”
      5) all of the above

      Reply
  34. CravenMoorehead

    1 year ago

    Buxton is basically Aaron Hicks but talented

    Reply
  35. Jjfleury

    1 year ago

    I don’t think the Twins are best served to overpay Buxton and I will be the first to admit that I want him to remain a Twin.

    I think we trade him for pitching. Could we pry away some controllable starting pitching from the Braves and send Buxton to his home state? Ian Anderson OR Max Fried would be great rotation pieces if we could get one of them and Acuna could move to right field.

    The Marlins have many controllable pitching talents. Could we pry away one or two controllable young starters? They want both catching and CF help, which the Twins have the ability to match.

    I like the idea of trading Buxton and making a play at Starling Marte who has less upside than Buxton, but the guy has a proven hit tool.

    I don’t see the Twins chasing Starling, but wish they would. His brother Ketel Marte would also be a solid replacement through another trade.

    Buxton is a high reward and in my opinion higher risk player. His WAR numbers when healthy are incredible. That said he is rarely healthy. If the Twins reach the playoffs the odds of him being healthy for a run are low.

    Reply
    • FAILvyHasToGo

      1 year ago

      I don’t see any team giving what the value could be for Buxton if healthy. The best option the Twins have is to sign him to an incentive laden contract and hope he stays healthy. The return won’t be anywhere hear his value if for some reason he can.

      Reply
    • Phillip

      1 year ago

      Sorry to break this to you, but if you have your sights set on a player like Ian Anderson or Max Friend, or equivalent from another team, you’re setting yourself up for massive disappointment. Nobody is giving up a high quality young controllable pitcher with MLB success already for 1 yr of Buxton. The return for Buxton isnt gonna be equivalent to Mookie Betts. If they trade him, you will be disappointed.

      Reply
  36. Eddy Treadway

    1 year ago

    You can’t fault a guy for missing time from getting hit by a pitch. The hip strain that cost him six weeks is definitely par for conversation though

    Reply
  37. The Einheri

    1 year ago

    Byron may or may not be a complete bust for the Twins. But, if you’re the Twins, I think it’s a gamble you have to take. They will never be able to trade for any value close to what they will get if he can stay on the field. He can sell tickets, wow fans, and blind Minnesota to the fact that Twins ownership/management hasn’t got any starting pitching and they’re okay with that strategy.

    Likewise, I think it’s also a gamble that Buxton has to take on himself. He and his agent know that he doesn’t have a good history of staying healthy, but sometimes it’s been bad luck. His play is either to refuse an extension offer at this point, attempt to prove he can stay on the field in 2022 (regardless where he plays), and try for the best contract he can in 2023. __Or__ he signs an incentive-laden contract now, with a low guaranteed base and a high-performance-based ceiling.

    Reply
  38. haplito

    1 year ago

    Been a Twins fan my whole life. If they trade Buxton I’m burning my Homer Hankies.

    When he’s healthy, he’s a top 5 player. Best talent this franchise has seen since the days of fully healthy, peaking Mauer and Morneau. Give him an incentive rich deal. Give him a chance to earn, and the Twins a chance to win.

    Reply
    • masisk33

      1 year ago

      I completely agree. Buxton has talent that you’ll never replace in any trade

      Reply
  39. twinky

    1 year ago

    Trade him

    Reply
  40. masisk33

    1 year ago

    So, they paid Donaldson BUKU bucks to hit the DL hard. And Josh had a well doc’d injury history. Buxton is 3x the player Donaldson ever was. What’s the difference?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Blue Jays Sign Chad Green

    Rays Extend Yandy Diaz

    Dexter Fowler Announces Retirement

    Mets Sign Jeff McNeil To Four-Year Extension

    Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier

    Darren O’Day Announces Retirement

    Royals To Re-Sign Zack Greinke

    Braves Extend Manager Brian Snitker Through 2025

    Rays Sign Pete Fairbanks To Extension

    Royals Sign Aroldis Chapman To One-Year Deal

    Athletics Sign Jesús Aguilar

    Orioles Acquire Cole Irvin From A’s

    Astros Name Dana Brown General Manager

    Rays Extend Jeffrey Springs

    Royals, Red Sox Swap Adalberto Mondesi For Josh Taylor

    Red Sox Designate Matt Barnes For Assignment

    Scott Rolen Elected Into Baseball Hall Of Fame

    Red Sox Sign Adam Duvall

    Brad Ausmus Reportedly Among Astros’ GM Finalists

    Mike Clevinger Under Investigation For Domestic Violence Allegations

    Recent

    Blue Jays Sign Chad Green

    Mariners Re-Sign Taylor Williams To Minor League Contract

    Blue Jays Add Jeff Ware To MLB Coaching Staff

    White Sox, Nate Mondou Agree To Minor League Deal

    Astros, Ty Buttrey Agree To Minor League Deal

    Blue Jays Designate Matt Gage For Assignment

    Rangers GM Chris Young Discusses Closer Options

    Dodgers, Tony Gonsolin Avoid Arbitration With Two-Year Deal

    Twins Notes: Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff, Miranda

    Which Aaron Hicks Will Show Up In 2023?

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version