Phillies linked to trade for Twins' $100 million All-Star with one big question

The Philadelphia Phillies have a very clear need to upgrade their offense, and especially from the right side of the plate. Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto, and Adolis Garcia haven't hit well this season.

With a 27-27 record, the Phillies are likely to be buyers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. If they are buying, a right-handed hitting outfielder would make a lot of sense.

That's why it's not a surprise when Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report linked the Phillies to Minnesota Twins $100 million All-Star Byron Buxton as a trade target. But, with Buxton, there is one big question that needs to be answered for a trade to happen, and it's not one the Phillies can answer themselves.

Phillies linked to Byron Buxton trade with one issue

"Would he say no to a chance to play for his hometown Atlanta Braves, or a veteran team like the Philadelphia Phillies?" Kelly writes.

If Buxton is interested and willing to play for the Phillies, then Dave Dombrowski should do everything he can to acquire the All-Star right-handed slugger to join the Phillies outfield.

However, the question that comes with this link to Buxton is one that the Phillies cannot answer themselves. The ball is entirely in Buxton's court.

"Buxton has a full no-trade clause through the end of the season, so if he doesn't want to be moved, he won't be," Kelly writes.

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With this no-trade clause, Buxton can deny any trade offer made to acquire him. It's some huge leverage for Buxton, and it's a big issue for the Phillies.

If they didn't have to worry about this no-trade clause, the Phillies would be able to add Buxton a lot more easily. But this situation is one that they have to deal with.

Acquiring Buxton is going to cost a lot from a prospect standpoint, and it will also take some convincing to make Philadelphia seem like a good landing spot for Buxton.

He has all of the leverage in this trade conversation, and even though he'd be perfect for the Phillies, this one big question about Buxton's no-trade clause is going to be an issue for the Phillies.

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