Byron Buxton arrived at spring training in Fort Myers this week healthy, excited, and by his own admission, a little frustrated.
The Minnesota Twins center fielder had one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, slashing .264/.327/.551 with 35 home runs, 83 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and an .878 OPS across 126 games, earning a Silver Slugger and his second All-Star selection. And yet, his name spent the better part of the offseason swirling through the trade rumor mill.
“All it takes for somebody at the top to go to the media — ‘We’re not trading you,'” Buxton told reporters Sunday. “Trade rumors stop. Now we don’t have those conversations. That’s how simple this could get.”
Buxton has three years and just $45 million remaining on his $100 million extension, making him one of the league’s best dollar-for-dollar values following a 2025 season in which he posted nearly five wins above replacement.
A rebuilding Minnesota club that continues to shed payroll could eventually find itself at a crossroads: keep an aging star on a team still years from contention, or cash in while his value is near its peak. While a deal isn’t as likely as some of the top trade candidates before Opening Day, it remains a realistic possibility.
Below, we’ll break down the top trade destinations for Buxton if the Twins decide to entertain moving him.
New York Mets
New York’s Mets are widely viewed as the most logical trade partner. The Mets are reportedly considering a blockbuster deal that would bring Buxton to Queens to help fill the power void left by the departure of Pete Alonso.
President of baseball operations David Stearns dealt Brandon Nimmo to Texas for Marcus Semien this winter and acquired Luis Robert Jr. to roam center field. Juan Soto is confirmed in left field, while top prospect Carson Benge is expected to be the everyday right fielder.
But with trade rumors swirling around designated hitter Mark Vientos, adding Buxton could make plenty of sense. Vientos is the type of player that a cash-strapped organization like the Twins would covet in a potential deal. He’s hit 44 home runs over the past two seasons combined and is under team control through 2029.
Buxton, at roughly $15 million per year, would be a relative bargain for the big-spending Mets. The Braves and Mets had both reached out about Buxton at the trade deadline, but he held firm on his desire to stay in Minnesota.
Reports since suggest his stance has softened, with ESPN noting he’s now open to waiving his no-trade clause for the right situation.
Atlanta Braves
USA Today insider Bob Nightengale created a scenario involving Atlanta during a recent media appearance, suggesting that if Buxton gets disgruntled enough in Minnesota, he could decide he wants to go home to Atlanta.
The fit is undeniably compelling. Ronald Acuña Jr., Byron Buxton, and Michael Harris II in the same outfield would arguably the best outfield trio in baseball.
The Braves’ lineup has plenty of power but lacks consistent speed and elite range, two things Buxton provides in abundance. While outfield isn’t Atlanta’s most pressing need, the upside of adding a hometown star to a win-now roster is hard to ignore.
New York Yankees
The Yankees have also been floated as a landing spot.
New York already boasts Aaron Judge in right field, and adding a five-tool talent like Buxton alongside him would give the Bronx one of baseball’s most dangerous outfields. His speed, power, and defensive range would complement Judge perfectly and give the lineup another dynamic, middle-of-the-order threat.
With Trent Grisham playing on a one-year, $22 million deal, the Yankees can make a deal that gives the Twins some future cap relief without tanking their entire 2026 season.
