What's the latest on sale of Twins? Are Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa tradeable?

New York Times

12 hours ago

Dan Hayes addressed the state of the Minnesota Twins during a live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Monday. Among many topics, he touched on the team's sale, the July 31 trade deadline, and how Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa fit into the franchise's future.
Here are some highlights from Monday's live discussion.
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To see answers to more Twins questions, read the full Q&A.
(Questions and answers have been edited for clarity and length.)
Are there any new developments with the sale of the team? — Dane S.
One month ago, I reported that there was increased interest in purchasing the team. Now that it's clear Justin Ishbia has moved on, there are undoubtedly more people who have looked at the books, and the Star Tribune reported that one potential buyer even toured Target Field. Increasing the number of interested parties is a significant part of the sale. However, as I reported in May, many of the buyers were concerned about the price tag. Nobody wanted to go to $1.7 billion to pay the Twins, which is what Sportico estimates the club is worth. Forbes had them at $1.55 billion, I believe.
Since then, talks have stalled. Nobody has budged on what they want to offer, and the team isn't willing to drop the price. What I think is the most interesting recent development is the possible upcoming sale of the Tampa Bay Rays for $1.7 billion. The Rays are currently without a permanent home. A new buyer would have to invest serious funds in a new stadium. There is no certainty that they will return to St. Pete in the long run. I could see the potential increase in value of that franchise if they land a new stadium and move to Tampa, which the commissioner has expressed interest in. However, none of that is sure. And even with their turmoil and the potential for a lockout after next season, the Rays are reportedly going to fetch $1.7 billion.
Last year, the Baltimore Orioles sold for $1.725 billion. With two teams getting at least $1.7 billion, I don't see the Twins ever dropping their price tag, as they shouldn't. That's the going rate for major-league clubs right now, even with a lockout potentially looming. We might be in this stalemate for a while.
If Buxton finishes the season with a holy grail season for him (130 games, 30/30, .850 OPS, gold glove), don't the Twins have to trade him during the offseason and get peak value? His no-trade clause applies to five teams, but he's looking at 10 and five years of tenure by next summer. It's a short trade window, so this is probably the only time it can happen, and wouldn't be well received, but the Pohlads would save payroll in the process while trading high. Am I nuts? — John B.
Buxton has a full no-trade clause through the 2026 season. He can block trades to five teams beginning in 2027 and 2028. However, if Buxton has that holy grail season you're talking about, I don't know why they'd be interested in trading him. If they got that kind of production out of him for $15 million annually, which is a steal in today's game, why surrender that? I understand that his salary accounts for roughly 10.5 percent of their $141 million payroll. But even if they traded him, it would be tough to get multiple players who can offer the same level of production for that kind of money.
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This offseason, the Twins added $10.5 million in free agents, and it's gone about as perfectly as can be. Harrison Bader is worth 1.7 bWAR. Ty France is valued at 0.8 bWAR. Danny Coulombe is worth 1.1 bWAR. They're outproducing Buxton, who's valued at 2.9 bWAR, but think about how many budget free agents the Twins and most other teams whiff on all the time. When you're shopping in the under $8 million aisle, you're rarely going to land a winner. If Buxton can produce that holy grail season, I think you have to run with that as long as you can. He loves Minnesota and wants to win here. He's an exceptional talent and a very affordable one, even when he plays half a season, as frustrating as that can be.
Byron Buxton loves hitting leadoff homers! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Wu5yWnIa9z
— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2025
Could you explain the thought process behind the Twins' search for left-handed corner bats? It seems that many fans are confused by that. — Steven M.
Ideally, the Twins would like a better defender who hits left-handed to play one of the corners, which would allow them to have more flexibility with Willi Castro and use him on the infield while pushing one of Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach to the designated-hitter position. As you've probably noticed, the Twins aren't pinch hitting as much this season because the personnel to do so isn't in place. I think they'd like to add another left-handed outfielder to give them more flexibility.
Any update on (Luke) Keaschall? — Jonathan D.
I saw him taking grounders (Sunday) before the game. I need another chance to talk to him because we only have access to him when the Twins are at home, and I've attended far more road games lately. When we asked the trainers a month ago, he was making good progress. Please check back with me for more information on this in the comments of a story this week.
Have the Twins quit on (Rocco) Baldelli? — S.A.
I think Sunday's game gives you a good idea that they haven't. I tweeted the game was over in the fourth inning when it was 9-3. I think I said it felt more like 45-0. Then the Twins rallied and twice had the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the final two innings. They came up short. However, a team that quits on the manager lays down and loses that game by 15. This is a particularly frustrating two weeks. There have been numerous blowouts, and Jonah Bride has made way too many appearances. It's not an acceptable level of play, and if it were to continue, it could lead to job losses. That's what happens. I just don't think it's there yet.
Are there any contenders that you could see being interested in Correa at the deadline? I don't want to see him traded because the cheap Pohlads won't replace his contract, but he hasn't been worth the money since they signed him long term. — Joe H.
Correa would not be traded unless he came to the Twins and requested it himself. When he signed his six-year deal in January 2023, the Twins included a no-trade clause. While a no-trade clause gives the player veto power, a club can talk to other teams about the possibility of trading that player. However, unless the player signs off, it's all moot.
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Now, if a team's financial picture was wildly different and the Twins needed to cut payroll by $50 million, they could go to Correa, explain the situation and ask him if he'd be willing. However, it's all up to the player again. With the threat of a lockout looming and no permanent home in sight, the Rays are reportedly close to being sold for $1.7 billion. While the lockout could certainly hinder a new ownership group's chances of generating revenue in the first few seasons, it is clear that other groups recognize the long-term value and benefits of owning a major-league franchise.
But Correa loves Minnesota. He bought a home here and loves it. Loves the park. Loves the organization and the way it treats his family. He's not interested in moving.

Despite the positive talk earlier in the season, this team is once again one of the worst in the league at base running and is now also one of the worst at preventing other teams from being aggressive. For a team that has to win at the margins with their self-imposed payroll limitations, why haven't they been able to make this philosophy stick? — Lesa L.
Often, it comes down entirely to which players are on your roster. Except for Buxton, Bader, and Castro, the core position group is fairly unathletic. You can preach it all you want, but you also need players capable of executing it. As for controlling other teams, Ryan Jeffers is throwing out 27.9 percent this season, which is 5 percent above the league average. Christian Vázquez is throwing out 26.3 percent. Yes, teams can run on them, but the Twins do a solid job of deterring with those two and a lot of pitchers who are good at getting the ball home quickly enough.
If you were (Derek) Falvey, how would you approach this deadline? If everyone is healthy, they're a decent but not great team. Do you go full sell mode, with Ryan, Duran or Ober possibly (getting) the big returns, or do you stay put and hope they get hot again? — Zach A.
I think their approach to the deadline is uncertain at the moment. If they don't solve their pitching issues promptly, they won't be close to hanging around. And if they're not within, say, five to six games of a wild-card spot, maybe they should reconsider their position and sell a little. They have plenty of increasingly expensive arbitration-eligible players who could help them restock very quickly. Look what Tanner Scott fetched the Miami Marlins at the deadline last year. It would be painful to consider, but would you consider trading Griffin Jax or Jhoan Duran (each has one-plus seasons remaining before free agency) for a massive payday?
If they're still hanging around, though, it's hard to see what Detroit did last year — go from a middling club in August to storming into the playoffs — and not want to give it a go. The Twins fully expect Pablo López will pitch again this season. The American League is top-heavy. The Twins have lost 13 of 17 and are only 2 1/2 out of a playoff spot right now. Getting in is all that matters. If they have López, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober healthy and on a roll, that's a great trio, as we saw into early June.
Is Rocco back on the hot seat (potentially fired) with the last few weeks of play? — David F.
Not avoiding this or the others who asked. Don't have a definitive answer at the moment. He was firmly on the hot seat two months ago. Then things improved a ton. Then they fell apart again. Trying to find out if he could be in peril again. My thought is that anything is possible if they don't get out of this nosedive quickly.
(Photo of Buxton: Brad Rempel / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)