As the Minnesota Twins prepare for the 2025 season, a crucial aspect of their roster enhancement will be assessing Byron Buxton’s future role within the team. Given his injury history and fluctuating performance, the organization faces key decisions regarding whether he should remain a centerpiece of their lineup, transition into a more limited role, or potentially explore trade options. Understanding the impact of these choices on team dynamics and overall competitiveness will be essential as they aim to strengthen their chances for a successful season.
How Byron Buxton Makes or Breaks Twins 2025 Season
Posting on The Athletic, Twins beat reporter Aaron Gleeman recently shared his Twins value board. This board consists of the top 20 valuable players in the Twins organization. He goes on to discuss each player’s value for being on the team and, as possible, trade value. Although it is unlikely the Twins would trade Buxton away, his name has been brought up in hypothetical trades.
Who has more future and trade value to the Twins?
Royce Lewis or Walker Jenkins?
Carlos Correa or Brooks Lee?
Matt Wallner or Emmanuel Rodriguez?
Byron Buxton or Jhoan Duran?
Pablo López or Bailey Ober?My annual #MNTwins future/trade value big board: https://t.co/xyi7hBXZkK
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) October 28, 2024
Should Buxton Be Traded?
First of all, this is highly unlikely. Buxton’s 3.6 WAR in 2024 is only second to Carlos Correa’s 3.7. Removing this support from the roster would be tough to duplicate. Buxton’s contract has four years left with a total of $60 million, at $15 million per year. It does put Buxton in the top 10 salaries for center fielders, but Gleeman even states in his article that Buxton’s contract is “…not even one of the 100 highest salaries in MLB”. Injuries aside, there is a lot of value in keeping Buxton on the team as opposed to trading him.
Designated Hitter
A lot can be learned from the Twins’ experience with Buxton as designated hitter in 2023. That year, Buxton experienced one of the lowest WARs of his career at 0.8. In 2023, the Twins were able to trade for Michael A. Taylor to make him their everyday starter. The point of this trade was the uncertainty of Buxton as he was rehabbing an injury, but this scene allowed the Twins to plug another player in the outfield to add to production at the plate. Taylor was able to help the Twins out in center field with a 1.9 WAR.
In 2024, the Twins used many of their younger players, such as Austin Martin, Alex Kirilloff, and Trevor Larnach, to play the outfield. With many prospects finding their way to the major leagues this past season, having Buxton at DH could open up more opportunities.
Center Field
Placing Buxton in center field is the option that makes the most sense. The goal of keeping Buxton in the field is to get the 2017 version of him, which had the highest WAR of his career at 4.9. This was also his highest year in games played at 140. Buxton also won many awards for his defensive prowess that season. His top award from 2017 includes the Rawlings Platinium Gold Glove as the top defender in the American League. While this was several seasons ago, the best thing for the Twins to do is put Buxton in the best place to succeed, and that is in center field.
When Buxton Is in the Lineup
When consistently in the lineup, Buxton significantly contributes to the team. His career OPS is .780 and even increased with this past season’s .859. In a 162-game average, Buxton averages 28 home runs and 33 doubles. This high production rate when in the Twins’ lineup is essential to help propel the Twins to better production at the plate in 2025, especially with a new hitting coach.
As many Twins fans sit back and watch the amazing players in the World Series, pondering whether their favorite team will make it to the next year, the Twins must keep a player such as Byron Buxton on their roster.
Main Photo Credits: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
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