Byron Buxton has said he wants to stay with the Minnesota Twins, and the organization shares that sentiment.
Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll shot down any lingering thoughts of Buxton being moved at this year's deadline, saying definitively that the All-Star outfielder isn't available.
"We have no plans to trade Byron," Zoll said Tuesday, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. "It's not something we're exploring. It's not something we plan to explore. ... From my seat, from the Twins perspective, that's not something we plan to explore. I wanted to hit that head on."
Zoll's comments come roughly a week after Buxton, who owns a full no-trade clause, reiterated his desire to remain with the Twins despite their sub-.500 record.
"The only way I'm getting out of here - they're going to have to come talk to me and tell me something else. Simple as that," Buxton said in response to trade rumors. "I ain't said nothing about leaving, nor will I. I'm a Twin."
If Buxton became available, he'd undoubtedly be the most sought-after position player on the market this summer. A first-time Silver Slugger winner in 2025, he entered Tuesday hitting .275/.333/.596 with an American League-leading 25 homers and 41 RBIs across 306 plate appearances this year. His .930 OPS is by far the best of his career in a full season.
Buxton is also under contract through 2028 and will earn $15 million annually. Although he'd likely fetch the Twins a tremendous package of prospects, Zoll hinted that the club may not be ready to sell, given that it's only 1 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.
"I understand all the rumors," Zoll said. "I understand why this is happening. None of this is rooted in fact from our perspective. We've been clear all along, we're hoping to be competitive this year. We're right in the thick of it and want to let this next stretch play out and give the group every chance they can to make that a reality. Really pleased with where it's at. We're going to let that continue to unfold. We're going to keep pushing forward, and that remains our focus."
