Twins Make Byron Buxton Move as Big Personal Moment Nears
The Minnesota Twins are now building toward the future after a complete roster overhaul at the trade deadline, following a disappointing first half of the season.
Despite the organizational changes, star center fielder Byron Buxton has repeatedly stated his commitment to Minnesota, refusing to waive his no-trade clause. The 31-year-old veteran is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his 11-year career and earned his second All-Star selection after a standout first half.
Since returning from a ribcage injury, Buxton’s offensive production has dipped. He’s batting just .182 with a .559 OPS, two home runs, and three RBIs in August—his lowest output of any month this season.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, manager Rocco Baldelli elected to remove Buxton from the lineup, with James Outman starting in center field.
This absence comes with Buxton just one game away from reaching a personal milestone: 100 games played in back-to-back seasons for the first time in his MLB career.
Durability Remains Byron Buxton’s Biggest Hurdle
Durability has long been Buxton’s biggest challenge, and despite playing in 11 seasons, he’s never hit that mark in consecutive years. Still, his talent remains undeniable. With the Twins entering a rebuilding phase, Buxton’s leadership and presence will be critical for the development of the young core.
Over 871 career regular-season games, Buxton has collected 741 hits, 158 home runs, 415 RBIs, and 112 stolen bases.
When healthy, he’s been everything the Twins envisioned when they selected him second overall in the 2012 MLB Draft out of high school.
