Ahead of the league's winter meetings, the Atlanta Braves were included in an exciting rumor that had Atlanta among Byron Buxton's potential landing spots. It seemed that the star outfielder would be willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Braves and other potential landing spots. However, it seems the Minnesota Twins aren't so keen to part ways with the star outfielder after The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that Minnesota has no plans to trade the outfielder. While this doesn't kill dreams of a potentially trade completely, it is close to it.
For the move to once again become a possibility, Buxton would need to demand a trade or force his way out of Minnesota. This cannot be completely ruled out after the Twins' 2025 trade deadline teardown that made it clear contention anytime soon isn't on the table. For Braves fans, it is a frustrating reality for a team that badly needs to make a blockbuster move or two this offseason.
Adding Buxton would unquestionably qualify with the outfielder's speed and power, offering a nice skillset to the Braves' lineup. Taking this a step deeper, having Buxon allows you to put Ronald Acuña Jr. in the DH spot consistently, removing some wear and tear from a player who has had two serious knee injuries. It gives room for the Braves to ride with the hot hand as well, with Michael Harris and Jurickson Profar both coming off uneven 2025 performances.
Braves' Hopes of Landing Buxton Appear to be Dashed After Frustrating Update
It seems that the Twins aren't going to part ways with the outfielder if the star is willing to return to Minnesota for another season. This seemingly ruins any hopes of Atlanta making the move, though it does point to the obvious prototype of what the team should be targeting. If the Braves aren't going to retain Marcell Ozuna, it is clear that another big bat in the outfield is needed.
This gives Profar the ability to be used at DH or on the infield and takes some pressure off Atlanta's star in Acuna to always play in the field. Having another viable star outfielder completely changes the look of this offense and its potential ceiling. For Atlanta's 2025-26 offseason to be considered a win, the franchise must add at least one high-impact bat as well as patch the end of the rotation and bullpen.
As nice as it would be for Buxton to become one of these answers, it appears it is an incredibly unlikely landing spot. Still, Atlanta should continue to monitor the situation throughout the offseason, understanding what a great fit the star could potentially be and how many issues it would solve. With that said, Braves fans are simply hoping for any move of note that bolsters the lineup and roster coming off the most frustrating season in recent memory.