Minnesota Twins Agree To Massive Deal With Young Star


The tantalizing talent of Byron Buxton has been something to behold—whenever's he's been able to stay on the field. Now, the Minnesota Twins are banking on that talent holding up for the long term, as they've signed the oft-injured, five-tool star to a 7-year, $100M extension.

Buxton gets a full no-trade clause, according to Ken Rosenthal, while the contract also contains a number of bonus clauses, many of them not surprisingly based on plate appearances. The 27-year-old Buxton has only topped the 300 plate-appearance mark once in his 7-year career. 

He'll get an extra half-million dollars for reaching each plateau of 502, 533, 567, 600, and 625 plate appearances. Again, he's only gotten to 500 (511) once in his career. 

Buxton's lofty ceiling was hinted at in 2021, when he set career-highs of 19 home runs, a 1.005 OPS and a .306 batting average. That was in just 61 games.  

The list of Buxton's career injuries is as long as his new contract length:

  • 2015: sprained thumb
  • 2016: knee contusion, back spasms
  • 2017: groin strain, migraines
  • 2018: migraines, sprained wrist, fractured toe
  • 2019: concussion symptoms, bruised wrist, shoulder surgery
  • 2020: left foot sprain, concussion symptoms (HBP)
  • 2021: hamstring issues, hip strain, fractured hand (HBP)
The Twins are hoping for some better luck in the future. They're betting $100M on it. 

Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports