Buxton Named As Fit For New York Yankees
Byron Buxton is not supposed to be one of the headline names of this year’s trade deadline. The Twins have made it clear they are not shopping him, and Buxton himself told reporters he is staying in Minnesota. But Jeff Passan did not close the door entirely.
In ESPN’s updated top 100 trade deadline rankings, Passan and Kiley McDaniel argued that even if the odds are slim, the Yankees are one of the teams that make sense if the deadline turns chaotic.
Passan’s Read on Buxton’s Market
Passan and McDaniel dropped Buxton’s trade likelihood from 30 percent to 10 percent and called a deal extremely unlikely.
Still, Passan warned against removing him from the board. The deadline has a way of forcing unexpected conversations, and teams with postseason ambitions often act aggressively when the right opportunity appears. That is where the Yankees come in.
Why New York Fits the Profile
Passan listed several clubs that make sense for Buxton, including the Yankees, Phillies, Padres, Diamondbacks, Braves, Cardinals, Rays, and Rangers. New York stands out because of its current roster needs. The Yankees’ outfield depth has thinned, and their offense has gone quiet at times. His skill set, including elite defense, top-tier speed, and legitimate power, fits the type of player New York targets when it needs a spark.
Buxton is not just a glove-first center fielder anymore. He has become a legitimate middle of the order threat. Even with injuries in past seasons, his ceiling remains one of the highest in the league. When he is healthy, he changes games on both sides of the ball.
Buxton’s Production
Buxton’s numbers this season explain why teams still dream on him. Through 75 games, he is slashing .271/.328/.575 with a .903 OPS. He has hit 25 home runs, driven in 45, and added 16 doubles and a triple. He is coming off a 2025 season in which he won his first Silver Slugger and launched a career-high 35 home runs with an .878 OPS.
Players with that combination of power, speed, and defense do not hit the market often, and when they do, contenders pay attention.
Minnesota’s Stance
Twins GM Jeremy Zoll has been direct. He said the team is not exploring a Buxton trade and does not plan to. Buxton backed that up, telling reporters he is a Twin. Minnesota believes it can contend with Buxton anchoring center field, and the front office is not looking to move one of its most dynamic players.
Passan’s point was not that Minnesota is preparing to trade him. It is that ruling anything out in July is a mistake. The deadline is unpredictable, and teams with urgency often reshape the market.
The Bottom Line
He is not expected to be traded. Minnesota wants to keep him, and the odds reflect that. But Passan’s analysis makes one thing clear. If the deadline gets wild and a contender decides it needs a star who can shift a postseason race, the Yankees are one of the teams positioned to make that call.
If that call ever happens, Buxton instantly becomes one of the most fascinating names of the summer.
