Where Will MN Twins Superstar Finish in MVP Race?

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Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins season has been over for weeks, even months, at this point. The front office traded nearly half of the team, and ownership wanted to shed contracts at a ridiculous rate. Those that remain though, have been faced with picking up the pieces and trying to compete moving forward.

No one has been more steadfast in their commitment to the Minnesota Twins than Byron Buxton. He has a full no trade clause and he’s not interested in waiving that any time soon.

The star centerfielder also has an incentive-laden contract, and he triggered a payday on Wednesday night. He’s bound to make more from it, but how much remains in question.

How much will Twins pay Byron Buxton in 2025?

Byron Buxton’s seven-year deal pays him $15,142,857 every season. He also has the opportunity to earn more based on different incentives that consider his ability and availability. He trigged a $500,000 payday on Wednesday night with his 502nd plate appearance.

With ten games to go, it’s possible he hits another $500,000 incentive with his 533 plate appearance. Beyond that though, it’s the MVP voting race that could pay him most handsomely.

A top-ten finish would generate him at least $3 million, and ESPN’s Buster Olney sees that coming to fruition.

By season’s end, Byron Buxton is likely to surpass career highs in plate appearances, hits, home runs and RBIs, among other categories. For years, he has been viewed through the prism of potential — what he might accomplish if not for the many injuries he has incurred in his career. Buxton has mostly stayed on the field this year and has likely set himself up for some top-10 votes on the AL MVP ballot.

Buster Olney – ESPN

It shouldn’t be a question whether Buxton finishes among the top ten in American League MVP voting, but instead how high. Currently he is eighth among position players in fWAR (4.9), but it’s basically drawing stars all the way to fourth place (Jose Ramirez 5.6).

His final positioning will largely come down to the power production, where he finished on the 30-30 scale, and what he can accomplish over the final week-and-a-half of the season.

The reality is that Minnesota has not seen a player perform at this level since Joe Mauer won his lone MVP award in 2009. Mauer was a catcher and transformed the position at that time.

Plenty of centerfielders have been named MVP’s, and Buxton isn’t going to knock off either Cal Raleigh or Aaron Judge. However, his positioning despite being on a bad team, is more than notable.

Related: MN Twins Catcher Nearing Long-Awaited Return

Minnesota’s front office has plenty of work to do this offseason. Having a healthy Buxton, producing at an MVP level, gives them a pretty strong place to start.

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