Byron Buxton has a no-trade $100 million contract with the Twins that runs through 2028. The pros outnumber the cons for huddling during the offseason and figuring out a new home for the long-time fan favorite.
On Sunday Buxton went on the 10-day Injured List with right hip impingement (retroactive to August 27). It’s his third time on the list with a hip-related injury this season.
Over the years injuries have limited Buxton’s playing time like few or any other Twins players. In 12 seasons with the club, he has played in over 100 games only three times. The numbers: 140, 126 and 102.
This season the total stands at 93. Whether he tops 100 in the 162-games schedule is TBD, but what can’t be disputed is the Twins are paying a lot of money for a part-time player and have done so over the years. Buxton turns 33 years old in December and it’s unlikely his durability will change in future summers.
The metrics say he is no longer an elite center fielder, and his glove talent would be better utilized as a corner outfield spot. The Twins are already using elite rookie and recent call up Walker Jenkins in center field. At 21, Jenkins looks like the club’s fixture in center field for a decade or more.
Buxton, although a streaky hitter who only once in his career has topped 70 RBIs, still has considerable value at the plate. In 2026 he has a .254 average, with 18 doubles, one triple, 25 home runs, 46 RBI, 65 runs scored, a .511 slugging percentage and an .829 OPS.
He brings value on the base paths, too, and historically has been among the most efficient base stealers in MLB. Last season, he stole 24 bases in 24 attempts. He’s only been thrown out once in 2026 in eight attempts.
The Twins payroll is modest among peers, entering this season reportedly around $100 million. Buxton, at about $15 million in 2026, is second only to sidelined pitcher Pablo Lopez in compensation (nearing $22 million).
Ownership isn’t expected to go on an overly aggressive spending spree in the next couple of seasons. That means two valued players, catcher Ryan Jeffers and starting pitcher Joe Ryan, face uncertainty when their contracts expire after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Freeing up payroll from Buxton’s departure presumably could encourage ownership to retain those players.
While the Twins aren’t approaching World Series ambitions, teams like the Yankees, Phillies and Braves are positioned to compete for championships. Their budgets can afford a contributor like Buxton, who even in a limited playing role could mean the difference in a postseason game or two.
Buxton has been a Twin since being drafted in 2012, the second player selected that year. It’s understood he’s a positive in the clubhouse and on the field, but it sounds like a convincing proposal to suggest he plays his “golden years” chasing a career-first World Series.
A win-win situation could be in the offering, with the Twins not only lightening payroll but receiving quality from a trade partner either in MLB talent or top prospects, or both.
Gophers Notes
Furian Inferrera, a pocket passer, is the lowest ranked player among Minnesota’s 29 verbal commits in the class of 2027, per 247Sports. He also may turn out to be an impactful addition to the program.
That’s the opinion of Minnesota-based recruiting authority Ryan Burns from GopherGazette.com. Inferrera, from Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, California and listed by 247 at 6-3 and 210-pounds, was sidelined with a knee injury last season and was a backup quarterback as a sophomore.
“I saw him perform live at Minnesota camp and I watched him do his stuff, and I think he’s got a chance to be special if he can stay healthy. He just needs to play,” Burns told Sports Headliners.
Former Golden Gophers running back Barry Mayer emailed that his friend and former teammate, flanker Terry Addison, passed away last Sunday morning. Terry, a flanker, lettered in 1968 and 1969, and he later was an administrator at Augsburg College and more recently a dean at Brown University. Barry was the best man at Terry’s marriage to Loni. Deep condolences to Loni and others on their loss!
Jeremiah Salem, grandson of former Gophers’ head football coach Joe Salem, is a graduate student reserve quarterback on the Eastern Illinois football team that plays Minnesota on Thursday night in Huntington Bank Stadium. Joe, 88, will travel from his South Dakota residence to see the game and Jeremiah whose father is Brad Salem.
The FCS Panthers, who defeated Murray State 28-14 last week, are about a 42-point underdog.
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