Braves top trade target reportedly off the market

For good reason, there’s been plenty of buzz connecting the Braves to Minnesota’s All-Star centerfielder Byron Buxton.

It really started at the trade deadline, when the Braves reportedly made a push for the Georgia native but came up empty because Buxton refused to waive his no-trade clause. He made his loyalties clear at the time, but after the Twins went into full fire-sale mode at the deadline, his stance appears to have shifted, according to multiple reports.

“But a major-league source indicated Tuesday that Buxton, who turns 32 next month, wants to play for a winner and may reconsider his stance for certain clubs if the Twins continue breaking up their roster, potentially by trading starting pitchers Joe Ryan or Pablo López,” Dan Hayes wrote earlier this offseason for The Athletic. “The two-time All-Star center fielder has three years and $45 million remaining on his current deal, one which grants him full no-trade protection through next season, and the ability to block trades to five clubs in 2027 and 2028.”

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan also reported that Buxton would be willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Braves — along with several other clubs — if the Twins continued down a full-scale rebuild. Unfortunately for Atlanta, Minnesota doesn’t appear ready to commit to that path just yet.

“All those fans waiting for their teams to acquire one of the Minnesota Twins’ stars probably can forget it,” Ken Rosenthal reports for The Athletic.

“The Twins do not anticipate moving center fielder Byron Buxton or right-handers Joe Ryan and Pablo López, according to league sources briefed on their plans. Minnesota’s goal is to keep those players, build around them and compete in 2026.”

Rosenthal’s reporting is usually worth its weight in gold, so the idea that Buxton — or even Joe Ryan and Pablo López, two starters who should absolutely pique the Braves’ interest — is headed to Atlanta is probably dead. But it’s also worth noting this could be a bit of posturing from the Twins. It does them no good to show their hand in negotiations.

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