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Twins Legend Talks Byron Buxton Trade Rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Twins have lost five in a row and are slowly fading from the playoff hunt.
Naturally, trade rumors will keep being floated about Byron Buxton, but Minnesota legend Joe Mauer has a message: Buxton may not want to go anywhere.
“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.
“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. 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.”
Buxton was the No. 2 overall pick in the MLB draft in 2012. Mauer went No. 1 overall in 2001, turning down a NCAA football scholarship offer to Florida State to play baseball.
Mauer stayed with the Twins his whole career and made the Hall of Fame.
Buxton is in Year 12 with Minnesota. He is batting .260 this season with 17 home runs, 27 RBIs and an OPS+ of 142. He has accumulated 2.0 WAR early on between his offensive output and play on defense.
“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.
“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 are 27-33 on the season, but Mauer likes what he’s seeing from manager Derek Shelton.
“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.”
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