Byron Buxton Makes It Clear: No More Rebuilds in Minnesota

[LambchoP]

I actually believe the Twins can be a .500 team and compete for a wildcard spot in 2026. That is IF we keep Lopez, Ryan and Buxton. Call up Jenkins and maybe E Rodriguez or Gonzalez/Fedko early on. They sign a real MLB first baseman, probably to a one year deal. I can see them going after someone like Josh Naylor. Clemens and or Fedko as backup. The pen is going to be the problem. Sands and Topa can be penciled in. Funderburk is not the solution for our lefty. They need to sign Coloumbe or another lefty, one or two relievers and then fill out the rest with our AAA SP arms like Festa, Abel, Raya, Prelipp, Morris, Adams....if enough of these arms work out as solid relievers, we could be relevant as soon as next year 

 

However, I think they trade Ryan in the off-season and Buxton will waive his no trade clause and be moved at the deadline after a disastrous first half...

[Woof Bronzer]

49 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

What is the front office supposed to communicate (or any other business not selling stock) about their plans? What franchises lay out in one season “what the off-season plan is” for the business/franchise? None, or awfully few, from my viewpoint.

Most businesses have plans, and successful ones usually share them with the employees affected by the plans.  Just flailing away without any plan, or with a plan you hold secret from everyone, is a recipe for disaster for any business.  

The Twins shared their plan with Correa at the deadline, so I'm not sure why it's unreasonable to expect them to share the plan with the face of the franchise.  The Twins plan last off season was to hold tight because Falvey thought this team was really good and last year was just a fluke.  Not a good plan, in my opinion, but a plan.  

There is truly no need to carry water for the Pohlads and FO.  

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Why are they keeping those minority owners such a secret? If they are about change, it can't come soon enough.

Because they haven't been approved by MLB yet and they don't actually own any of the Twins organization.

[Woof Bronzer]

Billionaires do not tolerate criticism.  Buxton and Ryan are as good as gone.  If there's a silver lining maybe Pablo stays now?  

[The Great Hambino]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

Because they haven't been approved by MLB yet and they don't actually own any of the Twins organization.

Has there been any reporting on that timeline?  For all our sakes, I hope they're not waiting til the winter owners meeting or something like that

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Why are they keeping those minority owners such a secret? If they are about change, it can't come soon enough.

It's been their MO since taking over , keep everything to themselves  , during covid they wouldn't even come out and say the player was ill with the virus  ....

They seem to think they have a book of secrets ...

[Vanimal46]

I would hope Byron shared these thoughts with leadership prior to July 31st. Because the no more rebuild train left the station on that day. 

[chpettit19]

8 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

Has there been any reporting on that timeline?  For all our sakes, I hope they're not waiting til the winter owners meeting or something like that

I haven't seen anything (certainly doesn't mean there hasn't been anything reported) about a timeline for all of it. The owners won't vote until the owners meeting, but I'd assume the rest of the approval process is playing out now. Background checks, financial checks, etc. have to play out. I believe there's an executive committee that goes over things. I'd think the owner vote is mostly a formality, but they won't announce who they are until they've passed all the background and financial checks and that won't be done before the season is over would be my guess.

[David HK]

2 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Good on Buck and Joe speaking out. The owners and FO have not shared any plans or vision. In the absence of that communication players, media, fans are going to fill in the gaps. These guys have the ability to control the narrative, but have said nothing. 

Well, the biggest reason why the owners and FO have not articulated any plans or vision is that they have none.

[David HK]

7 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I would hope Byron shared these thoughts with leadership prior to July 31st. Because the no more rebuild train left the station on that day. 

Then it backed up and reduced the station to rubble.

[David HK]

1 hour ago, insagt1 said:

Buxton will break his no-trade clause if things don't improve. 

Why would he stay and be miserable. However, he also has to be able to overcome his injury history. He won't be much of a big deal if he plays less than 100 games each season. so there's that.

But right now the team is a mess. It has no bullpen and the 'core' players are mailing it in for the most part. I always compare them with my other favorite team, also going nowhere this season...the Orioles. At least they are winning and having some fun with these no-pressure games. And the good it does is to at least get a glimpse of who will help them in 2026 and who won't. O's may end up with the highest winning % of any of the last place teams, not that its all that significant. But winning is always more fun, no matter where you sit.

I'll be sad when he's hitting 3rd for the Braves next year.

[mikelink45]

Amazing how many see Buxton not taking a trade this year as bad.  Thankfully there is some loyalty, but that does not mean that he cannot reassess what is happening.  Putting pressure on the team is good - it indicates that he wants to be here with a winner.  But if the team owners and FO does not care, he has every right to change his demands for next year.

[Markdumont25]

The most important part is the players need to be better. I don't know if that lands on coaching or on them but with the way the current players are playing now there isn't any amount of realistic additions that are going to make this team a contender

[Nshore]

The Pohlads desperately need someone to step forward to be the spokesperson and articulate to the fans (and players apparently) what the heck it is that's going on.  It can't be Joe Pohlad because he's probably not capable, and it's probably not "corporate word salad speak" Falvey.  Without clear communication, players and fans are going to run amok and think the worst.

[farmerguychris]

1 hour ago, David HK said:

Well, the biggest reason why the owners and FO have not articulated any plans or vision is that they have none.

I disagree.  They certainly have proven their plan - Anything it takes to MAKE MONEY.  That's it.  Now a plan to improve the team on the field - no such plan because it doesn't matter to them.

[Parfigliano]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Why are they keeping those minority owners such a secret? If they are about change, it can't come soon enough.

The minority owners probably haven't been MLB approved yet.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

They have the payroll space available to add the players they need to compete. There is no reason they have to wait until 2028.

CBA done after 2026 season and 2027 season CBA rules unknown is a pretty good reason.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

If he didn't waive it this year, he's never going to. This was the perfect chance for him to get traded to, and be a key figure on, a World Series contender (or the Mets) yet he firmly rejected any chance of that happening. 

You be nice to the Mets.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

What is the front office supposed to communicate (or any other business not selling stock) about their plans? What franchises lay out in one season “what the off-season plan is” for the business/franchise? None, or awfully few, from my viewpoint.

If there are still crickets in December…….let em have it!!! Until then, they need time to sort things and target specific guys to try and trade for, or sign as FA’s. Pro sports teams don’t expose plans - targeted players - it just isn’t done. Can’t say “we’re going to spend $45M in free agency” ……. agents will eat that up & leverage disappears.

They may or may not do well nor what the “fans want”? We’ll see. Deciding they should tell all, in September, doesn’t make sense!

From my point of view, again here at TD, the group that threw in $400M have to have some caveats attached to their cash infusion!! STATUS QUO ……..on roster, spending, marketing………isn’t in the cards.

I think step one upon seasons end should be fire Falvey & Rocco immediately.  That would send a message.

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, LambchoP said:

I actually believe the Twins can be a .500 team and compete for a wildcard spot in 2026. That is IF we keep Lopez, Ryan and Buxton. Call up Jenkins and maybe E Rodriguez or Gonzalez/Fedko early on. They sign a real MLB first baseman, probably to a one year deal. I can see them going after someone like Josh Naylor. Clemens and or Fedko as backup. The pen is going to be the problem. Sands and Topa can be penciled in. Funderburk is not the solution for our lefty. They need to sign Coloumbe or another lefty, one or two relievers and then fill out the rest with our AAA SP arms like Festa, Abel, Raya, Prelipp, Morris, Adams....if enough of these arms work out as solid relievers, we could be relevant as soon as next year 

 

However, I think they trade Ryan in the off-season and Buxton will waive his no trade clause and be moved at the deadline after a disastrous first half...

I tend to be a little more optimistic than many here about the 2026 Twins so I agree with you. Part of that is because I don't think it makes baseball sense or financial sense to trade Ryan or Lopez in the off-season even if you're trying to keep the payroll down. The smarter move is to hold them until the trade deadline because you will get more for them if they are healthy and performing, which I think is a good bet. Neither one of them have onerous contracts that are difficult to service or would be difficult to move. Those kind of contracts tend to be the veterans that get moved in the off-season. Also, if you just keep what you have and add 2-3 bullpen pieces at a total of $10 million or so for the season, you still have the payroll around $100-105 million. That payroll is very serviceable if the new investors money is used to eliminate debt and free up your cash flow.

I'm perhaps more optimistic than many because I actually see the outlines of a decent lineup for next year between Buxton, Wallner, Martin and Jenkins in the OF, and Keaschall, Jeffers, Lewis, and maybe Lee in the IF. Yes, we desperately need a 1B and another bat to help at DH, a decent backup C, and we may need a shortstop depending on whether Lee can get marginally better both in the field and at the plate. Larnach may fill one of the 1B/DH needs, but I suspect he'll be traded.  I think if we keep the guys we have we actually have a top 10-15 rotation. The bullpen is a dumpster fire right now but that is the easiest thing to rebuild on the fly with veterans who command under $5 million a year and/or current MiLB starters moved to the bullpen. I really think we're going to see two of Festa, SWR, Raya, and Matthews in the pen next year, my guess is in that order and probably from early in the season. If you squint hard enough, you can see the outlines of the team that could win 80 – 83 games if people just perform at a "normal" level, and one that can win 85 or more with marginal improvement from some of the young players (particularly Keaschall, Lee, Wallner, and Lewis). 

Having said all that, the first half of 2026 is critical. If this team is struggling and is 10 games under 500 in July, I think we are going to see a serious purge to have as little payroll on the books as possible going into the potential labor related stoppage of 2027. That's when I could see guys like Buxton, Ryan, Jeffers, and Lopez traded for more prospects and we might even see them include Lewis, Ober, and Larnach on the bus out of town. So while I'm optimistic that we could have a decent team in 2026, maybe even a pretty good one, that's going have to materialize early in season or what was started this trade line will be completed at the next one. 

[Natron]

Phrases like "the fan base won't tolerate it" and "[they risk] further alienating the fanbase" are laughable and really shouldn't be used when trying to suggest potential motivations for the current ownership group. In what world have the fans ever been a consideration? It's never been a basis for ownership activites, and it's borderline insulting to even suggest that it is at this point. We're all smarter than that.

[USAFChief]

3 hours ago, ashbury said:

Adios somebody, maybe.  This plot could be about to thicken.

I read this as a "trade me" request. 

Because the rebuild train, as Van put it, pulled out of the station.

 

[Vanimal46]

7 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I read this as a "trade me" request. 

Because the rebuild train, as Van put it, pulled out of the station.

 

Simply put, you don’t trade away your top 5 relievers if you intend to compete the following year. 

[awmonahan]

Buck and Joe have been my favorite players on this team. It sounds like neither enjoys being the last at the party - some parties are better than others.... Anyway, my guess is both see how long this will take, Joe was almost traded anyway, and they would gladly be on a team that cares about winning. I wish them both luck. Until then, they can speak their minds about the BS ownership team. 

[ashbury]

45 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I read this as a "trade me" request. 

Because the rebuild train, as Van put it, pulled out of the station.

That's clearly one possible meaning, leading to one clearcut outcome.

I double checked my memory, and MLBTR has him remaining philosophical immediately after the trades - the train departure as we all acknowledge it to be - thus doubling down on the "Twin For Life" remarks he made during the All-Star break.  Now, a month later, something has changed.  He alluded to what may be on his mind when he brought up the W-L record of the past month.

As always, I don't know (and I think none of us knows) what is being said in private.  Ryan and Buxton have spoken candidly to the press in quick succession.  If Pablo Lopez pipes up about something, anything, soon then I will feel even more confident that the stars are speaking for others in the clubhouse. 

What Baldelli does about it, is anyone's guess.  What his boss Falvey does about it, is anyone's guess.  What Clan Pohlad does about it, is anyone's guess.  

Maybe the Final Boss tells Derek, "do what you have to do."  Two or even three trades could ensue in that scenario - the three stars I named - in line with what you say and then some.

I'm just saying, stay tuned.  That seemingly simple scenario is hardly the only one, and if I squint and read Buxton's comments just right, maybe not even the odds-on one.  This could be some version of a palace revolt.

[Jacksson]

Unless ownership takes action with regard to the PBO, GM (and Team Manager) positions, the SAME people who "Masterminded" the 2025 SELLOFF will be the ones making decisions in the 2025 offseason and at the 2026 trade deadline.

[NYCTK]

5 hours ago, NYCTK said:

If he wanted to win, he would have left in July. He doesn't care about winning, and that's fine. 

Lot of people really upset at me pointing a baseball player refusing to leave a bad franchise that won't compete any sooner than 2027 might not be all that interested in winning. 

I know fans like to think every player has a championship at the forefront of their mind. But that's clearly not the case with Buxton. He could have been a Philadelphia Philly or a New York Met and increased those odds tenfold if that's actually what motivated him. 

[ashbury]

21 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Lot of people really upset at me pointing a baseball player refusing to leave a bad franchise that won't compete any sooner than 2027 might not be all that interested in winning. 

I know fans like to think every player has a championship at the forefront of their mind. But that's clearly not the case with Buxton. He could have been a Philadelphia Philly or a New York Met and increased those odds tenfold if that's actually what motivated him. 

First Rule of Holes, my friend.  When you find yourself in one, stop digging.  😀

[DocBauer]

I think Buck is a class act! Over and over again he's stated he wants to be a Twin for his whole career. And he's a "gamer" for sure. Before his knee was finally fixed, how many saw him STILL stealing bases and needed 2 or 3 minutes to just stand up straight again?

And he's been a hard working but quiet leader for the most part. At least publicly. I give him a standing ovation for coming out of his comfort zone and publicly staying SOMETHING about the future of the team. I applaud him all the more for not being nasty about it.

The Twins, as currently constructed are not devoid of talent, despite less than optimal production. While they have a pretty solid and deep MILB system, many of their TOP prospects are ready or nearly ready to appear. 

The Owners can no longer claim debt as being an immediate issue as that is gone with the new minority owners cash influx.

Even the blind Pohlads can hear and read fan apathy and look at Target Field and see only hundreds of fans in the stands. What's next? Paper bags over heads?

While the unknown new minority owners may have limited power, are they simply blind to what is happening? Are they ONLY interested in a return 10-15yrs from now? Or are they actually interested in the GROWTH of their new investment?

I'm just a mid-western middle class peon. But if I had $ to invest somewhere, I'd sure like to know the company/team I invested my $ in to was intent on GROWING the brand of the company/team.

Maybe I'm naive, but doesn't that just make some sense???

At this point you do, more or less, what I've stated over and over again. You KEEP Lopez and Ryan because you CAN and SHOULD. You sign a quality FA like Josh Naylor...or similar...to add to the lineup and clubhouse. You spend a couple $M on a veteran pen arm like Coulombe, or maybe Chafin to offer some hope to the fan base that that the dismantling of the team is over. Forgetting another $2-3M for a decent, veteran backup catcher...which won't excite the fan base...which is still important, and then your drop another another $10M-ish on 2-3 pen arms who might be older, or bouncing back, or former starters who are good looking converts.

You SELL the rotation, your 1 good BAT, and the prospects like Keaschall, K-Pepper, Jenkins, and Rodriguez to season ticket holders. Under the radar, you keep looking for the next Thielbar and Stewart.  And you keep making smart decisions about the NEXT Duran, Jax, Sands, etc.

I HONESTLY HATE repeating myself over and over about the rather OBVIOUS moves the FO and ownership could make. But if we keep having OP's about the Twins, I have no choice but to repeat myself.

With ANY sort of decent pen assembled, the rotation and depth look strong. Add ONE veteran BAT with the talent on hand being healthy and producing, along with some of the best young talent the Twins have had in years, this could be a really interesting team.

Buck HASN'T asked for the Twins to suddenly have a $200M payroll. All he's asked for is a good, competitive team who has a chance.

[nicksaviking]

40 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Lot of people really upset at me pointing a baseball player refusing to leave a bad franchise that won't compete any sooner than 2027 might not be all that interested in winning. 

I know fans like to think every player has a championship at the forefront of their mind. But that's clearly not the case with Buxton. He could have been a Philadelphia Philly or a New York Met and increased those odds tenfold if that's actually what motivated him. 

No people are upset about a Met fan constantly coming to a Twins site to troll. Consider this a warning to tone it down or start earning infractions.