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MN Twins Back on Byron Buxton’s Bad Side
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- MN Twins Back on Byron Buxton’s Bad Side
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training , and plenty of Minnesota Twins hitters are in Fort Myers as well. While the Pohlads mandated Derek Falvey teardown the roster at the trade deadline , the franchise stopped short of dealing their star trio.
They tried to trade Joe Ryan , and Byron Buxton's name came up too . Despite Buxton signaling his desire to stay with the organization for the duration of his career, the organization made the choice to let the flames stay lit .
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Buxton is among the players already getting things going in Fort Myers, and he wasn't shy about sharing his ire.
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Byron Buxton ticked off at Minnesota Twins
Thursday was the official reporting day for Minnesota Twins pitchers and catchers. This weekend we've seen more hitters filter into the mix. Byron Buxton talked with Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) on Sunday, and he was quick to point out how annoyed he was at the organization's decisions.
"All it takes is for somebody at the top to go to the media, 'We're not trading you.' Trade rumors stop, and now we don't have those conversations. That's how simple this could get. The offseason was different. It's a lot of guys in here that were pulling for each other and then to have your name blasted, and you know where we want to be, you know what we're trying to work towards, you know what we're doing, it's different. I will say that. It's different."
Despite Buxton reiterating his commitment to the organization that handed him a seven-year contract extension , he certainly didn't feel that love back. When Nightengale asked if nothing has changed regarding his commitment, Buxton said, "I ain't going to say that either."
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In 126 games last season, Buxton batted .264/.327/.551 with a career-high 35 home runs. He was perfect in 24 stolen base attempts, and put up the best season of his career.
Unfortunately the story surrounding Buxton at the deadline, and for part of the offseason , wasn't of his greatness but rather his trade availability. That was a misstep by the organization, and it's something they'll need to smooth over.
Derek Falvey is no longer with the franchise , so that comes down to Jeremy Zoll and new face Tom Pohlad. At least on that front, the first steps seem to have been made in a positive direction. Pohlad flew to Atlanta to meet with Buxton this offseason.
"I ain't ever known no other [owner] that came down and wanted to talk. Nevertheless, come in the clubhouse and want to talk. That's a big change in getting where we want to get to."
MVP snub fueling MN Twins star
It's not just the Minnesota Twins organization that ticked Buxton off over the last season. Members of the BBWAA earned no positive feelings either. Despite finishing 9th in the American League by fWAR , Buxton was voted 11th. That cost him at least $3 million in incentives, but the snub meant more professionally.
"I was pissed, I ain't going to lie to you. You feel like you did a little bit more than what you thought you could have. You surprised yourself a little bit. It was one of those where you thought you put yourself in a good position, and you didn't, so it's fire. I actually took that, and I got a picture on my damn wall. Every day I walk in my gym, that's what I look at."
This season Buxton won't have to wait long to prove the doubters wrong. Rather than sit through a bunch of meaningless Grapefruit League games , the Minnesota Twins superstar will be on the biggest stage in the World Baseball Classic .
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Team USA lost Corbin Carroll to a hamate bone injury, so Buxton joins Aaron Judge and Pete Crow-Armstrong as the only outfielders on the roster. It's possible he plays left field with PCA in center, but he's going to be relied upon plenty.
Minnesota will be hoping their star returns with a clean bill of health and a gold medal. In the meantime, they can do work behind the scenes to get of his shit list and position the star for a season to top the last one.
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