RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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SportsMoney Phillies Share Surprising Trade Update From Twins Superstar Byron Buxton, Per Insider By Peter Chawaga ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball. Follow Author Jul 27, 2026, 02:09pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary The Philadelphia Phillies are urgently seeking trade deadline reinforcements, especially an impact right-handed-hitting outfielder, to strengthen their roster for a potential deep playoff run. Despite a significant turnaround under interim manager Don Mattingly, the market for such proven players is notably limited. Minnesota Twins superstar Byron Buxton has long been linked to the Phillies. While Buxton usually emphasizes his no-trade clause, a surprising new report indicates he told a Phillies player last summer he would indeed waive it to come to Philadelphia. However, acquiring Buxton remains a significant long shot. The Twins are considered near-term contenders, and the Phillies' farm system lacks the depth needed for such a blockbuster deal, making a trade highly improbable as the deadline approaches.
The Philadelphia Phillies haven’t been able to cover up their desperation for some needed additions at the trade deadline.
Though the team has put itself back into contention with a strong turnaround under interim manager Don Mattingly, it will need some reinforcement if it hopes to contend with the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers in October.
And while starting pitching depth and bullpen additions are clearly on the team’s needs list, adding another impact bat to the outfield might be the organization's clearest unanswered need dating back several seasons.
Finding that player, however, won't be easy. The market for proven right-handed-hitting outfielders appears limited, leaving the Phillies with relatively few obvious options as the deadline approaches.
"The list of hitters who could be available at the deadline isn’t necessarily a substantial one, and it shrinks even further if you limit it to right-handed-hitting outfielders,” Paul Casella wrote for MLB.com . “But that’s essentially what the Phillies need most, and -- barring some unexpected significant shakeup in the infield -- the outfield is the only place they have flexibility to plug in a new player."
Because of the Phillies’ persistent need for a proven lineup-balancing outfield slugger, the team has been linked to Minnesota Twins superstar Byron Buxton.
Typically, Buxton responds to questions about potential trades by reminding the media that he has a no-trade clause and doesn’t intend to waive it. But now the team has shared a surprising update on Buxton’s willingness to change teams.
"He apparently told a Phillies player last summer he would waive it to come here,” Phillies insider Jim Salisbury reported on a recent episode of “The Phillies Show” podcast. “That's what a Phillies player told me in the last month or so."
Though Buxton is apparently willing to remove perhaps the biggest obstacle in a deal to join the Phillies, he won’t be easy to acquire.
The Twins could consider themselves near-term contenders and the Phillies don’t have much farm system depth to leverage in a trade. But with the trade deadline just a few days away, Phillies fans are likely to continue pressing for a blockbuster deal to bring Buxton to Philadelphia, even if a deal is unlikely to materialize.
"Byron Buxton and Mike Trout are the two names Phillies fans have thrown around for years, but neither seems likely to be traded,” Casella added.
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