The San Diego Padres seemed to be ready to trade for every player necessary in the days leading up to the MLB trade deadline. After acquiring eight different players last week, reports say that they were calling for multiple others.
General manager A.J. Preller made one of those calls to the Minnesota Twins, asking about two-time All-Star Byron Buxton.
“This will surprise no one who’s followed A.J. Preller’s career, but the Padres were one of the teams that called about Buxton,” MLB insider Dennis Lin said on Tuesday.
The call didn’t go any further than showing interest, as the Twins’ superstar has a no-trade clause included in the 7-year, $100 million contract he signed back in 2021.
The Athletic‘s Dan Hayes also reported on the story, saying that not just the Padres, but multiple other ball clubs called Minnesota about the centerfielder. Buxton shot down any possibilities of him waiving his no-trade clause.
“Multiple sources confirmed at least six teams contacted Buxton’s agent, B.B. Abbott, about the possibility, including early in July before it was clear whether the Twins would be buyers or sellers,” Hayes wrote. “During his All-Star game media session on July 14, Buxton was asked several times about the possibility of being traded if the Twins decided to become sellers. He quickly responded he would remain a Twin for life because of his no-trade clause.”
Buxton, 31, is currently on the Minnesota Twins’ 10-day injured list after discovering left ribcage inflammation. This didn’t stop teams from showing interest in the multi-talented centerfielder.
He’s on pace to have one of his best seasons of his 11-year career in 2025. Through 85 games this season, he has a .282 batting average, .343 on-base percentage, .561 slugging percentage, and a .905 OPS while hitting 23 home runs, 59 RBI, and 17 stolen bases.
