MN Twins Superstar Eyeing New First-Time Award

It was not a good year for the Minnesota Twins. The Pohlads provided the best news in decades when they put the team up for sale, and the worst news followed when they were taken off the market. Just before that, the front office was told to sell off nearly 40% of the roster. To call the franchise a dumpster fire as things stand would be putting it lightly.

Not everyone involved deserves to be tied to that definition. In fact, Byron Buxton just produced the best season of his career, and he’ll earn top-ten MVP consideration for his efforts. That’s not the only award he’s in play for either.

Byron Buxton named a Silver Slugger finalist

For the first time in his major league career, Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton put up a 5.0 fWAR season. That’s going to garner him MVP attention, but it has also landed him a spot as a Silver Slugger finalist.

Your American League Silver Slugger finalists are here!
Tune in Nov. 7 to The Baseball Insiders LIVE on YouTube to learn the winners! @sluggernation pic.twitter.com/fJBGINs9Mp

— FanSided (@FanSided) October 23, 2025

Winners won’t be announced until November 7th, but Buxton is among six outfielders vying for three spots to claim the award. In 126 games this season, he batted .264/.327/.551 with 35 home runs and seven triples. Both the triples and dingers represent career-high marks, and his 136 OPS+ was just one point shy of his 2024 tally.

Among finalists, Buxton’s 35 home runs trailed only Aaron Judge (53) and Riley Greene (36). His .878 OPS was behind Judge (1.144) and Springer (.959), but his 24 stolen bases were second behind only Rodriguez (30). By fWAR, he finished fourth behind Judge (10.1), Rodriguez (5.7), and Springer (5.2).

It’s certainly not a lock that Buxton will win his first Silver Slugger award. However, it’s a definite possibility, and it would deviate from his trophy case thus far. An elite defender, Buxton has already picked up both a Platinum and Gold Glove. He is a two-time All-Star, making the team again this past summer, but his offensive prowess rose to new heights.

BYRON BUXTON HOMERS TO COMPLETE THE CYCLE

ON HIS BOBBLEHEAD DAY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fCbjgzRUzd

— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2025

Minnesota’s last Silver Slugger recipient came in 2020 when Nelson Cruz won the award. Mitch Garver and Cruz both picked one up in 2019, and prior to that it had been a drought since Joe Mauer won in 2010.

Buxton was a bright spot in the darkness that was the 2025 Minnesota Twins season. Assuming the franchise doesn’t force him out this winter, he’ll be a significant building block for whoever is named the next manager.