The 2021 MLB trade deadline is approaching on Friday, July 30 and one of the teams that will likely be sellers happens to be the Minnesota Twins. While they have plenty of players that they could move, few may be as attractive to other teams as outfielder Byron Buxton.
A former Gold Glove winner, Buxton will be a free agent at the end of the season. A few weeks ago, it was reported that the Twins offered him an extension and essentially told him that if he didn’t accept it, he’d be traded. Fast forward to now and nothing has been signed, making Buxton one of the bigger names that could be moved this week. He may currently be on the injured list with a hand issue, however, he still does have 10 home runs and 19 RBI on a .369/.409/.767 slash line through 27 games this season.
BetOnline has released odds on where Byron Buxton could be traded to and, at +200, it’s looking like it could be the New York Yankees. Out of most contending teams, the Yankees could use the 27-year-old’s help the most. To be quite frank, their outfield is in shambles. They have five outfielders on their injured list and could use someone like Buxton to strengthen the position. Yes, he’s also injured, but if he can maintain his production once he’s re-instated, he can be a game-changer for New York.
There’s also the fact that he’s eligible for arbitration. So, even if the Yankees outfield continues to deal with injuries this year, they can bring Buxton back in 2022 and hope that the rest of the outfield is healthy enough to go on a World Series run next season.
Byron Buxton Trade Destination Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, July 27
- New York Yankees (+200)
- Houston Astros (+300)
- Philadelphia Phillies (+400)
- Atlanta Braves (+500)
- Milwaukee Brewers (+600)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (+750
- Boston Red Sox (+1000)
Could Buxton Land in Houston?
With an AL West-leading 61-40 record, the Houston Astros (+300) have proven that they’re good. Really good. However, they could be better and Byron Buxton is the guy to get them there. Myles Straw is currently the team’s starting centerfielder and, while he hasn’t been horrible, he has just two home runs and 31 RBI.
A healthy Buxton would certainly be an upgrade over Straw and could solidify the Astros as World Series contenders. Houston is already scoring an MLB-leading 5.38 runs per game, so adding Buxton’s back to the lineup would make the offense that much more potent. At the end of the day, the Astros could probably go on a championship run without the veteran outfielder, however, their odds of winning the World Series would definitely go up if they make a trade for him at the deadline.
Byron Buxton to the Phillies Odds
At +400 odds, the Philadelphia Phillies have the third-best shot at landing Byron Buxton this week. Aside from Andrew McCutchen and, occasionally, Bryce Harper, the Phillies aren’t getting a lot of production from their outfield. CF Odubel Herrera has just 6 HRs and 26 RBI through 67 games this season. Considering how Buxton was on pace for 24 home runs and 47 RBI if he were to play the same number of games, it’s clear that he’d be an upgrade over Herrera.
There’s also the fact that the Phillies need to do whatever they can to snatch a playoff spot. With a 50-49 record, they’re 6.5 games back of the final NL Wild Card spot and 3.5 games behind the NL East-leading New York Mets. Neither of those deficits is impossible to come back from, however, it’d certainly be a lot easier with Buxton’s bat in the lineup. The point is that the next few days is the only time that Philadelphia can add someone of Buxton’s caliber to the lineup if they want to win a World Series this year. If they don’t, the Phillies may regret it in a few months.
