MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins gave Byron Buxton exactly what he wanted Tuesday night when the team declared it wouldn’t explore any trade talks involving him later this summer.With 41 days left until the trade deadline, Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll shot down speculation surrounding his two-time All-Star center fielder.Buxton said last week he wants to remain with the Twins. Now, the Twins are reiterating their love for Buxton.“We have no plans to trade Byron,” Zoll said. “It’s not something we’re exploring. It’s not something we plan to explore. We continue to have productive discussions. (Buxton) was very clear on that point last week. From my seat, from the Twins’ perspective, that’s not something we plan to explore. I wanted to hit that head on.”Buxton, who earned his 10-and-5 rights in early April, giving him the right to approve any trade, voiced frustration during the offseason when the team did not publicly dismiss trade speculation involving him.
Given recent conversations Buxton has had with the Twins, talks Zoll acknowledged Tuesday, the outfielder isn’t concerned about being traded no matter how much his name is mentioned.“I don’t give a f—,” Buxton said Thursday. “End of the day, nobody’s in my shoes. Nobody can say anything about what I’m going to do. I know what I’m doing. The only way I’m getting out of here — they’re going to have to come talk to me and tell me something else. Simple as that. … I ain’t said nothing about leaving, nor will I. I’m a Twin.”Buxton entered Tuesday hitting .275/.333/.596 with an American League-leading 25 home runs.Entering Tuesday at 38-42, the Twins are ripe targets for trade speculation, especially considering the 10 players they moved last July before the trade deadline. because some assume the team will continue a teardown it began in July with the trades of 10 players. But they began Tuesday just two games back of the third spot in the wild-card race and 3 1/2 out in the American League Central.For now, the Twins want to remain competitive.“I understand all the rumors,” Zoll said. “I understand why this is happening. None of this is rooted in fact from our perspective. We’ve been clear all along we’re hoping to be competitive this year. We’re right in the thick of it and want to let this next stretch play out and give the group every chance they can to make that a reality. Really pleased with where it’s at. We’re going to let that continue to unfold. We’re going to keep pushing forward, and that remains our focus.”
