The Minnesota Twins have dropped five straight games and continue sliding away from playoff contention.
Trade speculation around Byron Buxton keeps surfacing, but Twins Hall of Famer Joe Mauer believes the center fielder might prefer staying put.
“Buxton put himself in that position to have some input on it,” Mauer told Casino.org. “He’s been around for a little while, and I believe he’s got a no-trade clause. Every decision is unique. Every player’s got their own things that they prioritize, and that go into a decision like that.”
Buxton holds leverage in any potential trade discussions through his contract terms.
“I know Buxton wants to win more than anybody, and I think he wants to win in Minnesota, and that would be something that I would like to see,” Mauer continued. “But I just wish the best for him. Such a good guy, was a great teammate, and I hope he gets that chance to win. And I really do hope it’s here in Minnesota.”
Both players share similar draft pedigree. Buxton went second overall in 2012, while Mauer was selected first in 2001 after turning down a football scholarship to Florida State.
Mauer spent his entire 15-year career with Minnesota before earning Hall of Fame induction.
Buxton is completing his 12th season with the Twins. He’s batting .260 with 17 home runs and 27 RBIs while posting an OPS+ of 142. His combined offensive and defensive contributions have generated 2.0 WAR.
“He’s one of the most exciting players in the game,” Mauer said. “He can do it all. He can impact the game in so many different ways — not just with the bat, but with his glove, with his base-running, and his tools. You don’t really have to know baseball to know that he just stands out a little bit from the other guys.”
Health has remained Buxton’s primary challenge throughout his career.
“That’s always been kind of his thing, that you’ve got to keep him on the field, and when he can stay healthy, he’s going to put up some good numbers. So happy that he’s staying healthy, and I always enjoy watching him play the game.”
The Twins sit at 27-33 this season. Mauer praised manager Rocco Baldelli’s leadership approach during the difficult stretch.
“I really like Derek Shelton, the manager,” Mauer said. “He’s a great guy. I’ve been in the same clubhouse with him, and he’s just a good human being. He’s also a good baseball mind. Definitely a great guy with creating a good culture for these guys to succeed. I’ll keep my eye on him, and I’m hoping for the best. I feel pretty good with Derek there at the helm.”
Minnesota faces increasing pressure to make roster decisions as the trade deadline approaches.
