MLB Trade Rumors: 8 Teams Linked To Byron Buxton At Trade Deadline

June 18, 2026 , , , ,
Byron Buxton signed a long-term contract with the Minnesota Twins that runs through the 2028 season. His name has come up many times in potential trade scenarios, but he has consistently said he is loyal to the Twins and doesn't want to go anywhere. And he has the no-trade protection to back it up.
Social Media Feature Preview

However, as insider Jeff Passan notes, "Buxton's loyalty to Minnesota is admirable, but at 32, he also wants to win, and the Twins aren't doing that this year. Barring a spending spree over the winter, that might not happen next year, either.

"Minnesota is positioned to have another active deadline and go almost full rebuild, and if anything will change Buxton's mind, it's the Twins' timeline."

Passan adds that Buxton will fetch a "monster return" if he agrees to be dealt. Coming off an All-Star season last year with a career-high 35 homers, Buxton is on pace to obliterate that mark, with 23 long balls already, 51 runs in 63 games, and a .936 OPS.

8 teams listed as Best Fits for Byron Buxton

The insider then goes on to list no less than eight teams that would be the best fits for the five-tool center fielder:

  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • Atlanta Braves
  • San Diego Padres
  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Tampa Bay Rays
  • New York Yankees
  • Texas Rangers

If he wants to win, as Passan suggests, almost any of these teams could work, though San Diego, Arizona, St. Louis and Texas don't seem like realistic candidates for long playoff runs in 2026. 

That leaves all of the Eastern teams as the serious suitors: the Phillies, Braves, Yankees & Rays. 

Who has the biggest need in the outfield? 

You could argue that all four of those contenders have a glaring hole and could use a significant upgrade. For the Phillies, Adolis Garcia just had season-ending surgery (not that he was any hot shakes before that); in Atlanta, Ronald Acuna Jr. is a "long way" from returning; in Tampa, they are sitting 27th in baseball in AVG from their center fielders, and 28th in OPS; and the Yankees are without Aaron Judge until potentially mid-August. 

If Buxton stays healthy, always a huge IF, any of those four teams could offer up a sizeable package to the Twins, and they represent the kind of winning franchises that the player should be interested in joining. 

One note of warning, however: If you ever cross paths with him, DON'T mention this speculation to Buxton:

Go To: NFL Rumors | NBA Rumors | NHL Rumors