Jeff Passan links Rangers to game-changing outfielder, but a deal feels impossible

ESPN published an article by Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel that ranked the top 2026 MLB trade deadline candidates. The insiders ranked Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton No. 2 and, surprisingly, listed the Texas Rangers as one of the best fits for the 32-year-old star.

Buxton, who is under team control through 2028 at a little over $15 million per year, would be a game-changer for a Rangers lineup that has struggled all season, ranking 28th in runs (289) and 24th in OPS (.696). With Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter's offensive struggles this season, Buxton, who held a .275/.336/.601 (153 wRC+) slash line with the third-most home runs (23) in MLB ahead of Thursday's game against Texas, would provide a much-needed offensive boost for the Rangers as a center fielder.

The Rangers almost certainly won't acquire Byron Buxton from the Twins

Unfortunately, Buxton is almost certainly not going to be traded to the Rangers. The center fielder has a no-trade clause and has made it clear he wants to remain with the Twins. Obviously, Buxton could change his mind ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline. But even if he does, it's doubtful he would waive his no-trade clause to join the Rangers, who are just one game above the Twins in the AL standings with a 35-38 record as of Thursday morning. If Buxton were to waive his no-trade clause, it'd likely be to go to the Atlanta Braves, his hometown team.

Given their poor record, the Rangers may not even be buyers at the deadline. However, the team is just two games back of the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners, and half a game back of the third AL Wild Card spot. With a weak, wide-open American League and the pressure Chris Young must feel following back-to-back disappointing seasons, Texas may look to add at the deadline, not subtract. Unfortunately, Buxton likely wouldn't be one of the players the Rangers would add if they buy.

While Rangers fans should be ecstatic if their favorite team stuns the baseball world by acquiring Buxton, there's one major concern regarding the center fielder: he is extremely injury-prone. Buxton played in 126 games last year, which was by far the most he has played since 2017, when he appeared in 140.

From 2018-23, Buxton appeared in fewer than 100 games in each season. He's been relatively healthy this year, appearing in 64 of the Twins' 76 games, but the injury concern is always there. Considering the frustration with oft-injured star Corey Seager, adding another one of the league's most fragile players, regardless of talent, could end in disaster. Still, acquiring Buxton would be an exciting move for Texas. It just won't happen.

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