Sounds Like the MN Twins are Stuck with Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa

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Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

In case you haven’t been watching, the Minnesota Twins are in quite a freefall. They’ve now lost lost 10 of their last 11 games, a struggle bus that includes four-straight L’s, after being blown out by the Mariners on Monday. Entering Tuesday, the Twins have fallen four games below .500, at 37-41.

Looking for major changes? It isn’t happening at the manager level, after news broke late last night that Minnesota has already picked up Rocco Baldelli’s 2026 club option. At last for now, team president Derek Falvey isn’t thinking about selling at the trade deadline on July 31, either.

That’s good news too, since from the sounds of it, two of their most valuable assets — Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa — aren’t interested in leaving. In many cases throughout professional sports, what they want wouldn’t matter. But in the Minnesota Twins’ case, it most certainly does.

Carlos Correa has no interested in Minnesota Twins trading him

Carlos Correa - Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following his original one-and-done season in Minnesota, the Twins patiently waited out Carlos Correa’s falling market, in order to catch him when two other teams tossed Correa, his signed contract and bad ankle out with his failed physical.

Now halfway into their second contract together, the now 30-year-old, 3x All-Star and platinum glove shortstop has no interest in leaving the MN Twins organization, according to Dan Hayes (The Athletic).

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.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

By no means does this tell us Correa is content with how things are right now, in Minnesota. In fact, that would be gross misrepresentation of his competitiveness. This is a guy that has won a World Series, and played in two more.

He lives for the postseason, and made it clear in an interview Monday that he’s not okay with the Twins’ current spiral, something he said he has already discussed with ownership, coaches and the front office.

The only problem with Correa’s talking yesterday is that he’s been a major part of the Twins’ problem this season. Through 78 games, Carlos Correa is slashing a putrid .261/.305/.392, resulting in a career-low 93 OPS+, though he is 10 for his last 25 with 3 RBI, 4 walks and just 5 strikeouts.

Related: Report: Twins Already Made Their Decision on Rocco Baldelli

In all reality, it is not a good time for the Minnesota Twins to even consider a Correa trade. There aren’t a lot of teams out there right now who’d be willing to take on the nearly $100 million remaining on his contract through 2028, let alone deal out a bunch of prospect talent to get it done.

Byron Buxton still loves Minnesota

Byron Buxton’s no-trade was included as part of a 7-year deal that kicked in before the 2022 season. Buck’s full no-trade clause is good through the 2026 season, at which point it will turn into a 5-team no-trade list.

And if you think Buck has any interest in waiving his right to refuse a trade out of town this summer, think again writes The Athletic’s Dan Hayes…

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.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

The reality is that Minnesota was able to sign Buxton for a discounted $14 million per year because he has so many injury concerns. Without his injury history, Buck is a $30 million per year player. He’s proven that this season too, with his .280/.347/.565 slashline and 3.1 fWAR, through just three months.

Listen, there’s a way better chance of the Minnesota Twins retiring Buxton’s number someday (currently 21st in franchise history in fWAR), than trading him anytime soon.

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