This is no longer a hypothetical scenario. Now is the time for the New York Yankees to make an aggressive move to maximize their championship window and reestablish themselves as the dominant powerhouse they once were. A trade for veteran slugger Byron Buxton with the Minnesota Twins solves their biggest October flaw, quiets persistent Twins trade rumors, and leverages financial muscle in a way only New York can. If the Yankees are serious about winning a championship with this core, the trade package represents the clearest path forward.
The deal is straightforward. The Yankees receive Buxton. The Twins receive Spencer Jones, Carlos Lagrange, and George Lombard Jr. New York assumes the entire Buxton contract, roughly three years at around $15 million per season through 2028. The 32-year-old would waive his no-trade clause to join a contender built to win now. It is aggressive but exactly what a title window demands.
Start with the Yankees’ side. This roster won 94 games and still bowed out early in October, exiting in four games in the 2025 ALDS vs. the Toronto Blue Jays after dropping the first two on the road and losing 5–2 in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium. Despite the offense’s overall productivity, the club’s fundamentals cracked at crucial moments. The outfield hit for power but lacked a true two-way force in center. A deal for Buxton would correct that imbalance instantly, adding elite defense in center field, game-changing speed, and legitimate middle-of-the-order thump in a single roster spot.
Buxton just finished a true peak season. He logged 126 total games, hit .264 with a .327 on-base percentage and .551 slugging, launched 35 home runs, and went a perfect 24-for-24 on stolen bases. That’s not a complementary piece. That's a postseason tone-setter. When he’s healthy, his range in center can swing an entire series alone. Layer his raw power on top of that at the dish, and the ceiling for any October lineup elevates.
The financial component makes the deal possible. The Yankees should be willing to take on the entire contract without blinking. Absorbing every remaining dollar is how they separate themselves from other bidders and remove any lingering doubt in Minnesota’s front office. Big-market teams win impact trades by paying for certainty, not by haggling around the margins. Now is exactly that kind of moment.
The Yankees’ trade package is strong but calculated. Jones gives the Twins a near big league–ready outfielder with true middle-of-the-order power upside. His long-standing status as “the Yankees guy” in trade talks has always made him the kind of centerpiece rebuilding clubs circle first. Lagrange brings upper-90s heat and legitimate top-of-the-rotation potential if the command comes together. Lombard Jr. adds a patient, up-the-middle profile with a realistic everyday shortstop ceiling. The trio represents real value, not expendable depth.
Now consider the Twins. Trade chatter in Minnesota has centered on payroll flexibility and long-term direction. Moving Buxton’s salary would create immediate breathing room while replenishing the system with premium talent. Instead of stretching their budget around one star, the Twins would add three controllable pieces that address multiple organizational needs. This is not a surrender. It is a strategic pivot.
For the Yankees, the urgency is obvious. Running it back risks the same October ending. Adding the two-time All-Star would tighten the defense and balance the lineup. Aaron Judge could stay in right field more consistently while still cycling through the designated hitter spot, and the offense would gain much-needed speed. The outfield would become dynamic rather than just powerful.
The goal is to address a weakness that continues to surface due to the pressure of October. The move is bold, but it is logical. The Yankees have the depth. They have the payroll capacity. They have the competitive timeline. What they need now is the willingness to act.
