The pursuit of Buxton by Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos is viewed as the ultimate high-risk, high-reward gamble, perfectly aligning with Atlanta’s “win-now” philosophy:
- Braves’ Need: Atlanta wants a dynamic presence who can alter the geometry of the game. Buxton, a Georgia native, is a top-of-the-scale runner and an elite defender. Pairing him with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II would create the most dangerous defensive and running outfield in baseball.
- Twins’ Leverage: Despite reports from The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal that the Twins plan to hold onto Buxton, they are still motivated to cut payroll and acquire near-ready prospects. Buxton’s injury history—which limited his playing time for years, despite his MVP-caliber production—makes his trade value difficult to pin down precisely.
Buxton is owed just over $45 million over the next three seasons, a highly team-friendly contract for a player with his upside, increasing the likelihood that the Twins will take a serious offer to maximize their long-term flexibility.
THE ROADBLOCKS AND THE TEMPTATION
While ESPN reported Buxton is willing to waive his no-trade clause for the right fit (with the Braves being a top candidate), there are still significant roadblocks:
- Minnesota’s Asking Price: The Twins would require a massive haul of “blue-chip capital,” likely including a potential top-of-the-rotation arm and a high-ceiling catcher prospect, to accelerate their rebuild while maintaining a competitive core.
- The Durability Question: Atlanta would be inheriting the uncertainty that comes with Buxton’s injury history. Last season was his first playing over 120 games since 2017, leading to the question of whether he has truly turned a corner physically.
❓ DOES IT HAPPEN?
For Atlanta, acquiring Buxton is the kind of high-ceiling gamble that wins World Series titles. For Minnesota, receiving a massive prospect return would solidify their future.
As the Winter Meetings wind down, the trade remains a tantalizing rumor, but the willingness of both sides to engage—combined with Anthopoulos’s opportunistic nature—suggests this jaw-dropping proposal is far more than just chatter.
