The Minnesota Twins front office is not interested in trading superstar outfielder Byron Buxton despite growing league interest ahead of the August 3 trade deadline, according to reporting from Dan Hayes of The Athletic on May 22, 2026.
Speculation intensified after ESPN journalist Buster Olney publicly linked the 32-year-old Georgia native to the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves as a potential right-handed outfield target.
The Braves currently hold a 35-16 record and lead the Philadelphia Phillies by 9.5 games, ranking first in Major League Baseball in team batting average and slugging percentage.
According to Olney, the Twins could potentially initiate a conversation with their star outfielder regarding a roster rebuild if the club continues to struggle in the American League wild card race.
"Although Byron Buxton has a full no-trade clause, the Twins could always approach him, present a teardown reality to him, and give him the opportunity to go elsewhere and contend for a championship; he'd perfectly fit the needs of the Braves and other clubs," wrote Olney.
Olney previously raised the possibility during a radio broadcast in Atlanta, noting that Buxton possesses total contractual control over his playing destination and has historically resisted leaving Minnesota.
"I think at some point the name of Byron Buxton is gonna come up for the Atlanta Braves," said Olney on 680 The Fan in Atlanta on Monday.
The journalist noted that Buxton did not request a move last season during a major roster clearance by the organization.
"He is a perfect fit for what they have, another right handed hitter. Given the fact that he's from your state.
He has a full no-trade clause. He can reject any deal.
The Twins held a fire sale at the trade deadline but Buxton has made it clear to people that he's not gonna go up to the front office and tell them, 'I want to be traded,'" said Olney.
Olney questioned whether a proactive approach from the Minnesota front office might alter the outfielder's perspective regarding his future with the franchise.
"I do wonder, if at some point, the Twins go to him and say, 'Look, you've got a couple years left.
We're in the process of rebuilding. You've got value in the marketplace right now.
We could send you to someplace where you'd have a chance of winning a championship.' Byron would have full control over that," continued Olney.
The broadcaster emphasized that Buxton has consistently maintained his commitment to remaining with the Twins whenever the topic arose.
"To this point, whenever he's been asked about it, he's said, 'Nope. I'm good.
I'm staying here.'
But, I wonder if the Twins were aggressive in going to him and saying, 'Hey, let's talk about this idea,' if Byron would be open to it," continued Olney.
Despite the external speculation, local reports indicate that Minnesota General Manager Jeremy Zoll is entirely shutting down incoming trade calls from interested franchises.
"I would definitely put that in a place, in one of the, like, two places he would consider going, if the call came," said Hayes on a recent episode of the Twin Cities Territory podcast.
The reporter clarified that rival teams are actively exploring loopholes around the player's contract clause, though the Twins refuse to negotiate.
"It doesn't mean the team can't call and be like, 'Hey, Jeremy Zoll, would you trade Byron Buxton?'
Like, it's not like Jeremy Zoll's number is disallowed from an Atlanta phone number. You can still call.
You just get told, 'No.' Last year, teams called about his agent to figure out if they could get around his no-trade clause," said Hayes.
Buxton is currently playing under a seven-year, $100 million contract that runs through the 2028 season, carrying a .
260 batting average with 15 home runs and 23 RBIs across 42 games this year.
