Byron Buxton Isn't Going Anywhere, and Jeremy Zoll Made Sure Everyone Knows It

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota Twins fans can officially stop refreshing trade rumor websites looking for Byron Buxton updates. On Tuesday, Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll delivered something front office executives rarely offer: a definitive answer.

"We have no plans to trade Byron," Zoll said. "It's not something we're exploring. It's not something we plan to explore."

That statement alone carries significant weight. Front offices are typically careful with their wording, especially as the trade deadline approaches. Executives often leave themselves flexibility, speaking in vague terms about listening on players or evaluating opportunities. Even when a team has little intention of moving a player, they rarely remove the possibility altogether.

Zoll did exactly that. With the August 3 trade deadline approaching and Minnesota sitting in the middle of a crowded American League playoff race, recent speculation had connected Buxton's name to potential trade discussions. A national report from ESPN even suggested he could become the second best player traded if the Twins decided to pivot toward selling. Zoll's comments leave little room for interpretation.

Buxton Has Been Carrying the Twins

Part of the reason trade rumors gained traction is because Buxton's value has never been higher. Through 306 plate appearances, the Twins center fielder owns a .275/.333/.596 slash line with an American League-leading 25 home runs. When healthy, he's playing like one of the best players in baseball and has positioned himself squarely in the MVP conversation.

Of course, health remains the lingering question. Durability has followed Buxton throughout his career, and it's impossible to discuss his value without acknowledging that reality. However, when he's on the field, few players impact a game the way he does.

The Twins know that. Even though Minnesota sits four games below .500, they remain very much alive in both the AL Wild Card race and the AL Central. They're only two games out of a playoff spot and 3.5 games behind both Chicago and Cleveland in the division standings.

Trading Buxton would signal a dramatically different organizational direction. Instead, Zoll made it clear the Twins aren't interested in taking that path.

A Different Tone Than Last Year

What's perhaps most interesting about Zoll's comments is how different they are from the organization's approach a year ago. Last summer, rumors circulated around several veteran players as Minnesota struggled to find consistency. While there was never any concrete indication that the Twins seriously considered moving Buxton, the organization never publicly dismissed the possibility either.

That silence didn't go unnoticed. When Buxton arrived at spring training, he acknowledged some frustration with how the situation had been handled.

"All it takes is for somebody at the top to go to the media, 'We're not trading you,'" Buxton said in February. "Trade rumors stop and now we don't have those conversations. That's how simple this could get."

At the time, the comments stood out because Buxton rarely speaks publicly about front-office matters. While the situation clearly didn't damage the relationship between player and organization, it offered a glimpse into how unnecessary speculation can affect even veteran stars.

Fast forward a few months and Zoll essentially provided the exact public backing Buxton had requested. Whether intentional or not, the message was received.

Looking Beyond the Deadline

The bigger story may not be whether Buxton gets traded, but whether the Twins eventually explore keeping him in Minnesota beyond his current contract.

If both sides remain aligned, this offseason could present an opportunity to discuss an extension that allows Buxton to finish his career where it started. That's still speculative, but it's a far more realistic conversation than trade rumors at this point.

For now, both the player and the organization are delivering the same message. Buxton said he isn't interested in leaving. The Twins say they aren't interested in moving him.

Trade rumors may never completely disappear when a star player is involved, but Zoll's comments are about as close to a final answer as a front office executive can provide.

 

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[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I'd love for Buck to sign a 2-3 year extension that keeps the NTC and allows him to finish his career with the Twins.

[IndianaTwin]

3 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

I'd love for Buck to sign a 2-3 year extension that keeps the NTC and allows him to finish his career with the Twins.

People comment about him having a No Trade Clause, but in reality it’s not needed anymore. Because he has 10 years of service time and the last five are with the same team, he’s automatically granted veto rights on any trade.

I suppose that could be changed in the new CBA, but it doesn’t seem to be a high priority to mess with it.  Even if they did, it would be very unlikely they would take that status away from people who have already achieved it. 

But I’m with you on pursuing an extension in the off season. With any health at all, he passes Allison this year on the all-time bWAR list, Knoblauch and Hrbek next year and potentially even Oliva the following year, leaving him behind only Carew, Killebrew, Mauer and Puckett as hitters with the Twins by the end of the current contract. Keep him here and schedule the uniform retirement party.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

24 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

People comment about him having a No Trade Clause, but in reality it’s not needed anymore. Because he has 10 years of service time and the last five are with the same team, he’s automatically granted veto rights on any trade.

I suppose that could be changed in the new CBA, but it doesn’t seem to be a high priority to mess with it.  Even if they did, it would be very unlikely they would take that status away from people who have already achieved it. 

But I’m with you on pursuing an extension in the off season. With any health at all, he passes Allison this year on the all-time bWAR list, Knoblauch and Hrbek next year and potentially even Oliva the following year, leaving him behind only Carew, Killebrew, Mauer and Puckett by the end of the current contract. Keep him here and schedule the uniform retirement party.

Good call on the 10 / 5. I always forget about that.

[The Great Hambino]

2 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

People comment about him having a No Trade Clause, but in reality it’s not needed anymore. Because he has 10 years of service time and the last five are with the same team, he’s automatically granted veto rights on any trade.

I suppose that could be changed in the new CBA, but it doesn’t seem to be a high priority to mess with it.  Even if they did, it would be very unlikely they would take that status away from people who have already achieved it. 

But I’m with you on pursuing an extension in the off season. With any health at all, he passes Allison this year on the all-time bWAR list, Knoblauch and Hrbek next year and potentially even Oliva the following year, leaving him behind only Carew, Killebrew, Mauer and Puckett by the end of the current contract. Keep him here and schedule the uniform retirement party.

It's in Buck's best interest to keep a NTC in his contract because if he does decide to waive it for whatever reason, those 10-and-5 rights wouldn't follow him to his new team, but a NTC would.   It wouldn't mean anything for the Twins (it's like wearing both a belt and suspenders, only a little less stylish), but definitely would for the player.  So I can understand why he would and should want to keep it in the contract

[IndianaTwin]

34 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

It's in Buck's best interest to keep a NTC in his contract because if he does decide to waive it for whatever reason, those 10-and-5 rights wouldn't follow him to his new team, but a NTC would.   It wouldn't mean anything for the Twins (it's like wearing both a belt and suspenders, only a little less stylish), but definitely would for the player.  So I can understand why he would and should want to keep it in the contract

Hadn’t thought of that angle, but that makes sense. Hopefully it would be a moot point either way. 

[LakesPibble]

I'm a big fan of Buck but IF he was willing to be traded, I'm trading him.  Popular opinion is next year is either quite shortened or doesn't happen. 

The "trade him" opinion is from a cold blooded long term health of the franchise standpoint, not the "I've loved watching this guy play when he's healthy and he's a mensch" standpoint.

[IndianaTwin]

17 minutes ago, LakesPibble said:

I'm a big fan of Buck but IF he was willing to be traded, I'm trading him.  Popular opinion is next year is either quite shortened or doesn't happen. 

The "trade him" opinion is from a cold blooded long term health of the franchise standpoint, not the "I've loved watching this guy play when he's healthy and he's a mensch" standpoint.

“Long-term health of the franchise” can be measured in different ways. Calvin trading Carew still has negative effects on the franchise. Based on TD comments, last year’s trading frenzy is having negative effects on fan support a year later, even though it could well be we end having gotten a lot more in return than we traded away. Trading Buxton would be received similarly by many, for a long time. 

[Whitey333]

Tge comment "Buck isn't going anywhere" is probably true.  Just as the "Twins aren't going anywhere" montra.  This is a franchise stuck in cement and IMO in its current state is going nowhere with or without Buxton.  His 25 honers are great.  Hus 41 RBI in relation to those homers is not.  His clutch hitting.is terrible and his fielding,  once superior is starting to align more with his peers. Despite the injuries he has been a positive overall.  Lets quit making him more than he is.  In 11 seasons he has only played 2 full seasons.  He is worth keeping but lets not make him more than he is.