The Cleveland Guardians carry the benefit of playing in an incredibly weak AL Central division and were 47-43 heading into Sunday’s action, firmly in the American League playoff race.
However, it’s blatantly obvious that the Guardians need some help if they want to have any chance of making a deep postseason run.
Cleveland particularly needs assistance offensively, where it ranks near the bottom of the majors in nearly every statistical category.
It also doesn’t help that Jose Ramirez has been sidelined since mid-June due to a broken hamate bone.
The Guardians don’t have a single player with an OPS of .800 or better, and even Ramirez (.239/.339/.418) was uncharacteristically struggling before hitting the injured list.
Cleveland is expected to be in the market for bats between now and the MLB trade deadline, and Zack Meisel of The Athletic has revealed one stunning potential target for the club: Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton.
“He bats righty, hits for power and plays center field. Cleveland has been after someone with those traits for what seems like half a century,” Meisel wrote. “Buxton, however, has been adamant that he wants ‘Minnesota’ sewn onto his chest for the rest of his career. Even if the Twins did convince him to waive his no-trade clause, would Buxton accept a relocation to Cleveland?”
Not only that, but would Minnesota actually send Buxton to a division rival?
Buxton is slashing .269/.326/.574 with 25 home runs and 45 RBI over 334 plate appearances in 2026. The 32-year-old isn’t quite the elite defensive center fielder he once was during his prime, but his glove is still good enough, and he would comprise a massive upgrade over what the Guardians currently have.
One of the primary sticking points could be Buxton’s injury history.
The former No. 1 overall pick has played in 100 games just three times since entering the big leagues in 2015, topping out at 140 back in 2017.
Would Cleveland part with a substantial stash of prospects to acquire the three-time All-Star, who is under contract through 2028 on a very reasonable salary of $15.1 million annually?
The Guardians are typically very stingy when it comes to their farmhands, so it remains to be seen if they would be open to such a move.
It’s also debatable as to whether or not the Twins would be alright with trading him to Cleveland — and if Buxton would even clear such a move.
