Byron Buxton has been a staple of the Minnesota Twins throughout his career. In a way, it’s romantic, as most players don’t stay with one team, but continuing this love story after the season isn’t an option anymore. It’s past time for a breakup.
Fans at Target Field quickly fell in love with Buxton, who was once hailed as a defensive Willie Mays. In the 2017 season, just his third in the majors, Buxton went from a 0.6 defensive WAR to 2.8 and stole 29 bases. In that same season, he also finished with an excellent 5.1 offensive WAR. The prophecy came true as Buxton took home a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove, and the Twins found their franchise superstar.
The Byron Buxton Twins Breakup Becomes Inevitable
Fast forward to August 2026 and that spectacular 2017 campaign is nothing more than a distant memory. No one can deny Buxton’s impact when he is on the field, as evidenced by his 25 home runs with an .829 OPS in 93 games this season. The fatal flaw in this relationship isn’t Buxton having cold slumps but rather his availability.
Throughout his career, Buxton has spent more time in the trainer’s room than in the outfield. The Twins can no longer treat his frequent absences as a cyclical relationship, but rather an undeniable reality. Just this past week, Buxton left early due to right hip discomfort.
Twins fans have watched the heartbreaking script too many times, from Buxton’s 46 games played in his rookie season to his 85 games in 2023 when he was the primary designated hitter. Appearing in 93 games out of 130 is better than previous years, but the Twins are actively fighting for a Wild Card spot. Keeping him under control until 2028 on a seven-year, $100 million contract, given his limited durability, is no longer affordable.
As much as Buxton loves the Twins, the tragedy could’ve ended already had he been traded. It was tricky, though, as his contract has a full no-trade clause and he shut down rumors in June by saying he’s a Twin. His love for Minnesota couldn’t shake off a potential trade to the Philadelphia Phillies, the one team he waived his clause for.
The Phillies needed a replacement for right fielder Adolis García, who’s out for the remainder of the season. Ultimately, a blockbuster deal never happened, but Buxton’s willingness to go to Philadelphia proves that even the most romantic loyalties have a breaking point.
Walker Jenkins Gives The Twins A Reason To Move On
This became clearer when the Twins called up their top center field prospect, Walker Jenkins. In 63 games at the Triple-A level this season, Jenkins was obliterating minor league pitching with a .308 batting average and a powerful .532 slugging percentage. He didn’t waste time validating his top prospect status, going 1-for-3 in his MLB debut.
The young prospect doesn’t just bring elite offensive production but also a clean medical slate, an invaluable asset for the Twins’ front office. For over a decade, they’ve been praying that Buxton would stay healthy. Jenkins promotion felt more like the beginning of a new love story rather than salvaging a broken relationship.
Breaking up is never easy, especially when it’s between a homegrown favorite and the home team. The Twins gave this love story every conceivable chance to blossom. They paid Buxton handsomely, they let him move between center field and designated hitter, and patiently waited through every strain, sprain, and surgery. Not all relationships can endure the test of time, and this one is no exception.
