The Minnesota Twins still have time to push back against a growing deadline narrative, but the market around them remains skeptical. Even with a chance to move closer in the standings, rival executives and insiders do not seem convinced the club will behave like a true buyer.
That tension matters because the Twins are still in the mix for a wild-card spot, yet the combination of recent struggles and trade chatter keeps pointing toward a possible sell-off. If the season keeps slipping, the roster could look very different by the time the deadline arrives.
Why the Twins Keep Getting Labeled as Sellers
CBSSports.com recently reinforced that view, with MLB reporter Mike Axisa noting that Minnesota still looks more likely to sell than add. He pointed to Byron Buxton’s public stance against waiving his no-trade clause and general manager Jeremy Zoll’s comment that the All-Star center fielder is off the table.
Buxton’s performance has only made that conversation more complicated. Over his last 55 games, he has hit .297/.351/.672 with 25 home runs, a stretch that has made him one of the club’s most important players and one of the clearest reasons Minnesota still believes it can compete.
Still, Axisa expects the Twins to lean toward selling if the standings break the wrong way. In that scenario, right-hander Joe Ryan and catcher Ryan Jeffers stand out as the most valuable trade chips.
The Value of Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers
Ryan has delivered strong results this season, posting a 3.18 ERA and 2.81 FIP across 93.1 innings. With 1.5 seasons of arbitration control remaining, he would likely draw major interest if Minnesota made him available.
Jeffers could be just as appealing, even though he is currently injured. Before landing on the injured list, the 29-year-old was batting .295 with a .949 OPS, along with 7 home runs and 26 RBI in 37 games.
| Player | 2026 Snapshot | Trade Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Ryan | 3.18 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 93.1 IP | Top starter target with 1.5 seasons of arbitration left |
| Ryan Jeffers | .295 AVG, .949 OPS, 7 HR, 26 RBI in 37 games | Injured, but one of baseball’s best offensive catchers before the IL |
| Byron Buxton | .270 AVG, .912 OPS, 25 HR, 41 RBI in 2026 | Off the table after refusing to consider a trade move |
What Happens If the Losing Continues?
The biggest wildcard is Buxton himself. At 32, he has said enough to suggest he wants to stay with the Twins while the team still believes in its playoff chase, but that view could change quickly if the season goes sideways.
If Minnesota falls out of the race and parts with Ryan and Jeffers, Buxton may have to decide whether loyalty still carries the same weight. He has never advanced beyond an American League Division Series in his 12-year MLB career, so another quiet finish could force a harder conversation about what comes next.
For now, the Twins remain close enough to keep hope alive, but not close enough to silence the deadline speculation. That is why the next stretch at Target Field could shape whether Minnesota buys, sells, or ends up caught somewhere in between.