Byron Buxton’s Team USA roster shows the world what Twins fans already know

Finally, the MLB Winter Meetings are starting to heat up for the Minnesota Twins. No, the team hasn’t traded one of their best players (yet?). Something exciting actually happened.

Francys Romero, reporter at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, was able to bring positivity to the Twins fans. He reported that Byron Buxton will join the Team USA baseball team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. For what it’s worth, Buxton is a superstar who is coming off an electric season, including his first Silver Slugger Award and his second All-Star nomination.

Buxton deserves to be celebrated on a bigger stage. He is one of the best in the business and finally, he will be celebrated more widely.

The winner of the 2017 Platinum Glove Award will be announced by the Twins faithful. Local fans know what he is capable of, whether it’s a game-saving diving catch, hitting for the cycle, or being one of the fastest players in Major League Baseball.

It was reported during the MLB Winter Meetings that Twins’ Byron Buxton will join Team USA in 2026

Minnesota knows all about him, but he’s overlooked across the country. The Twins have finished fourth in the AL Central standings two years in a row, so the spotlight isn’t necessarily on him and his teammates. Baseball fans are constantly impressed by Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Bobby Witt Jr., Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. They hardly care what’s happening at the bottom of the American League standings, which makes sense. Buxton also has a reputation for not being durable, although he has played in more games recently.

But Buxton is also so much better than the overall product Minnesota put out during these two losing seasons. He has posted a 137 and 136 OPS+ each of the past two years, as well as elite marks in several defensive metrics. In 2025, he recorded 35 home runs, 21 doubles, seven triples, 24 stolen bases and 129 hits in his career.

Playing for Team USA will strengthen Byron Buxton’s brand. He deserves to be on the field with the other stars, and hopefully he will gain many more fans during this event. And of course, as he always does, Buxton will represent the Twins to the highest degree. It’s a win-win situation.