Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton Makes Stance Clear on Potential Phillies Trade

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton will not be playing in this year's All-Star Game, but he still made his way to Citizens Bank Park to support fellow Twins representative right-hander Joe Ryan and to watch the event live.

Buxton is unfortunately sidelined after reaggravating his right hip injury, something he has battled all year long but that flared up nearly two weeks ago, forcing him onto the 10-day injured list.

It came at a particularly unfortunate time, as Buxton was set to start the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. His previous two selections were as a reserve, making this year's starting nod an especially meaningful milestone before the injury intervened.

Still, Buxton traveled to Philadelphia and was available for media availability, where he was asked about a potential move away from Minnesota by Tim Kelly of On Pattinson.

"I ain't going nowhere," Buxton said when asked if there would be any wiggle room on waiving his no-trade clause if the Phillies were interested.

This is not a surprise to hear from Buxton. He has made it consistently clear that he has no plans to waive his no-trade clause, and the Twins have no plans to trade him either.

There is obviously reason for continued speculation, though. Even though Minnesota enters the break just one game under .500 and only three games behind the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central, they are surpassing expectations and are not viewed as a true contender.

Given Buxton is signed to an extremely team-friendly seven-year, $100 million contract that runs through the 2028 season, the Twins could get an elite prospect package if they did deal him.

He is a three-time All-Star who has been an AL MVP candidate this year. Across 75 games, the 32-year-old has posted a .271 batting average, .328 on-base percentage, .904 OPS, 25 home runs and 45 RBIs. 

However, the Twins are committed to Buxton long-term, and if they are not selling the way they did at last year's trade deadline, when they dealt nearly everyone with value, perhaps there is a real chance they try to contend.

Getting Buxton back healthy in the second half as soon as possible and building around him could give Minnesota a legitimate shot at making noise in a weak American League. If the Twins make it to the postseason, anything can happen.