Outside-the-box trades aren't something that's unfamiliar to Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos. At last year's trade deadline, Anthopoulos reportedly tried to swing a big unorthodox move by prying slugger Byron Buxton from the Twins. However, that move never came to pass, because Buxton openly commented that he refused to waive his no-trade clause, and had no intentions of playing baseball outside of Minnesota.
Interestingly, reports came out on Tuesday morning that Buxton may be ready to soften that stance, depending on Minnesota's offseason. The Twins superstar is coming off a 2025 season in which he set career highs in home runs, triples, runs, and RBI.
If things turn towards a rebuild out in Minnesota, Anthopoulos needs to race to the phones and once again attempt to bring Buxton to Atlanta.
Derek Falvey wants to build on what the #MNTwins already have in place. But if the Twins continue to tear it down, Byron Buxton might be open to waiving his no-trade clause.https://t.co/EHWMZ7kgZ1
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 12, 2025
Braves could have finally have an avenue to trade for Byron Buxton
Buxton has always been a polarizing player. He is undeniably regarded as having one of richest talent wells in baseball, but he has often battled injuries throughout his 11-year career. Last season, Buxton played in 126 games, which is the second most he has played in a single season in his career, and his highest mark since 2017.
After Buxton took such a strong stance about the trade rumors in August, many thought he would remain in Minnesota for the remainder of his contract. Some buzz picked up earlier this week in Atlanta after the Braves announced former Minnesota Twin Tommy Watkins as their new third base coach. Watkins is famously very close to Buxton, and was his pitcher for the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend in Atlanta last season.
The tone around Buxton's availability shifted most plainly on Wednesday morning when Dan Hayes, Twins beat writer fromThe Athletic, wrote about how Buxton could soften that stance if Minnesota trades away major league assets this offseason. The terminology used was that Buxton wants to play for a winner, and may reconsider his trade stance for certain teams if the Twins enter a rebuild. Hayes listed pitchers Joe Ryan and Pablo López as mobile names that could open the gates to a future Buxton trade.
The Twins are in an odd position with ownership, a new manager, and a significantly smaller payroll than the one they brought into 2025. All signs point toward Minnesota entering a rebuild, but if the Braves want to get Buxton, they are probably going to have to wait for one of Ryan or López to be moved first. Regardless, this recent report can only be viewed as a positive development for those who are hopeful to see Byron Buxton in a Braves uniform next season.