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MN Twins Not Trading Superstar; Rest of Deadline Plan Still Foggy
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- MN Twins Not Trading Superstar; Rest of Deadline Plan Still Foggy
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
For the past two seasons trade talk has been all the rage for the Minnesota Twins . Specifically, what players that they currently employ could be on the move.
Fresh off an unprecedented 2025 trade deadline firesale , the Minnesota Twins are currently 38-42 . To nobody's surprise, playoff hungry teams are already eyeing their best players.
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Last week, Byron Buxton grew sick of the trade chatter before it really even got started, making it clear that he has zero plans of leaving , saying "I don't give a f—. I'm a Twin."
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Twins confirm: Byron Buxton is off the table
On Tuesday, general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed with reporters that the Minnesota Twins have gotten Buck's message loud and clear. They are not trading Byron Buxton.
"We have no plans to trade Byron. It's not something we're exploring. It's not something we plan to explore. We continue to have productive discussions. I think (Buxton) was very clear on that point last week. From my seat, from the Twins' perspective, that's not something we plan to explore. I wanted to hit that head on."
With 10-and-5 rights, Byron Buxton has the final say on whether or not he is traded. Now that the Twins are officially on board, his hometown Atlanta Braves can call all they want. So can the Boston Red Sox , but he isn't going anywhere.
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Buxton has an American League-leading 25 home runs so far this season and he's already generated 3.0 fWAR through his first 68 games, batting .275 with a .930 OPS and trending towards starting in center field during the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.
Looking beyond the midsummer classic, Buxton has even worked himself into early MVP conversations. And despite their sub-.500 record, the MN Twins still feel like they can stay in the playoff hunt through the trade deadline. And as long as they are in it, there doesn't appear to be a motivation to act as major sellers at the deadline.
"I understand why this is happening. None of this is rooted in fact from our perspective. We've been clear all along we're hoping to be competitive this year. We're right in the thick of it and want to let this next stretch play out and give the group every chance they can to make that a reality."
After opting to do basically nothing this offseason, especially to rebuild the bullpen, the Pohlads will have an opportunity to put their money where Tom's mouth is , if the team can win some more games.
Minnesota Twins deadline plans still up in air
The Twins can certainly afford to take on salary, given the paltry payroll they brought into the season . Without a doubt, the bullpen will be the focus, if they do look to add.
State of the #MNTwins through Jun 22:
Record: 38-41
Runs scored: 6th (second in the AL)
Team OPS: 8th
RISP: 2nd (193-673, .287 BA)
Team ERA: 27th
Starter ERA: 19th
Reliever ERA: 30th
Playoff odds: 15.8% ⬆️ 11.6% over 7 days https://t.co/qonZ0IRmdU— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) June 22, 2026
Related: Latest Minnesota Twins Top Pick Moving Up
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However, deadline questions get more interesting after you get passed Buxton. Refusing to sell assets would probably means hanging onto catcher Ryan Jeffers , despite his intent to hit the open market this offseason.
Minnesota could hit him with a qualifying offer, and still trade Joe Ryan over the winter if they hold tight on Jeffers at the deadline.
Realistically they aren't far from turning an interesting team into a more competitive one. Will the Pohlads pay to make it happen. If they do, can Zoll capitalize? Those are questions that remain unanswered.
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