Phillies in Byron Buxton trade mix, with one key sticking point

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Phillies in Byron Buxton trade mix, with one key sticking point originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies would certainly love to add a player like Byron Buxton to their roster.

And there's at least some belief that the Phillies would be in the mix if the Minnesota Twins decide to trade their superstar.

There's just one problem: Buxton has a no-trade clause.

On top of that, he's expressed that he has no interest in being anywhere other than Minnesota.

If he didn't have that in play, Buxton would be an obvious trade candidate before this summer's deadline. With that, everything is a question mark.

Still, though, analysts are speculating that Buxton will get dealt, and MLB.com's Mark Feinsand lists the Phillies as one of three logical landing spots, along with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

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Buxton, who is from Georgia, has also previously been linked to the Atlanta Braves.

Clearly, it's hard for a team to negotiate wholeheartedly for a trade that they aren't even sure will get approved by the player, but Buxton is the type of talent that could make that effort worthwhile in the end.

"Buxton has maintained his desire to play his whole career with the Twins, but if Minnesota becomes a big seller for the second straight summer, the 32-year-old could decide to waive his no-trade clause for a move to a contender," Feinsand writes. "Buxton, who had 23 home runs and a .937 OPS in his first 63 games, is signed through 2028 at $15 million per season."

Buxton is hitting well, staying healthy (knock on wood) and under super affordable club control for two more seasons after this one.

The Twins haven't maximized his time with them, though, and other teams will be circling. Buxton would be one of the most valuable players available if he's open to a trade, and the Phillies would be wise to stay tuned in to try to make a move if possible.

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