The Los Angeles Dodgers’ three-game series with the Minnesota Twins this week gave them an up-close look at one of baseball’s most exciting players in Byron Buxton.
The two-time All-Star is in the midst of another productive season as he’s batting .270/.327/.585 with 14 doubles, an American League-tying 25 home runs and 41 RBI through 70 games.
“I love the way he plays the game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Buxton on SportsNet LA. “Seems like he plays with a passion. I love the way he defends, the feel for the game. One of my favorite players to watch. Unfortunately, I don’t get to watch him very much, but he’s one of those guys that I would pay money to watch play.”
Buxton had a relatively quiet series against the Dodgers as he finished with two hits in 13 at-bats, including a solo home run on Monday and double the following game. He went 0-for-5 in Wednesday’s finale as the Dodgers completed a sweep of the Twins.
L.A. hasn’t seen much of Buxton over the last decade, but the current balanced MLB schedule introduced in 2022 ensures they will play at least one series against the Twins per season.
In 15 career games against the Dodgers, Buxton has gone 15-for-62 (.242) with seven extra-base hits, seven RBI and two stolen bases.
Could Twins trade Byron Buxton?
With the Twins sporting a 38-44 record and currently two games out of an AL Wild Card spot, their play over the next month will likely determine whether they buy or sell at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Buxton has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate and would draw immense interest if the Twins indicate that he is available. However, general manager Jeremy Zoll adamantly ruled out that possibility this week.
Buxton has also stated that he wants to retire in a Twins uniform and would be against waiving his no-trade clause to play elsewhere.
The 32-year-old has full no-trade protection as a provision in the seven-year, $100 million contract extension he signed with Minnesota prior to the 2022 season. He is due to become a free agent at the end of the 2028 campaign.
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