• Loading stock data...
Monday, March 31, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

A Healthy Byron Buxton Easily Vindicates $100M Extension

  • The 28-year-old is batting .351 with a .946 slugging percentage and six home runs.
  • The Twins signed the outfielder to a $100 million extension in November.
Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton finally displayed the talent that made him MLB’s top prospect in 2014 and ’15 — and compelled Minnesota to take a long-term gamble on him despite persistent injury woes. 

Those concerns haven’t exactly gone away — he’s already missed a week this season with a right knee injury — but the good news is that Buxton’s breakout has continued into 2022.

On Sunday, he belted two home runs against the White Sox — including a titanic 10th-inning walkoff blast — to seal the Twins’ fourth consecutive victory and the AL Central lead.

Early on, Buxton is justifying November’s seven-year, $100 million extension that keeps him in Minneapolis through 2028.

  • He’s batting .351 with a .946 SLG (1st) and six HRs (T1).
  • Despite limited AB (37), he’s produced a 1.2 WAR (T5).
  • His 469-foot HR is the longest walkoff HR in the Statcast era (since 2015).

The only real knock on the 28-year-old has been his inability to stay on the field. He’s played 100-plus games just once in his eight-year career (140, 2017).

But when he’s healthy, few can match his raw talent, raising the prospect of a first AL MVP award — Buxton currently has the fourth-best odds to win (+950).

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Yankees RSN and Comcast Clash Intensifies As Deadline for Deal Nears

The invective escalates as a contract deadline approaches Monday night.

Rays Home Opener Clouded by Stadium Drama, Mounting Criticism

Both Major League Baseball and Pinellas County call out the embattled franchise.
Both teams line the field during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the NY Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Last-Minute Extension in Ongoing Dispute

The two sides will keep negotiating as large-scale issues remain unresolved.

Featured Today

Brehanna Daniels

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”

Tennis Turmoil: Grand Slams Reject Tours’ Proposal Amid Pay Dispute

The Grand Slams wish to create a “premium tour.”
March 19, 2025

A March Madness Ratings Resurgence May Depend on Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
March 21, 2025

Blue Jays CEO Says Guerrero Not Ohtani, but Confident He’ll Sign

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro is optimistic about keeping the superstar.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 19, 2025

Pentagon Deletes, Then Restores Jackie Robinson Page Amid DEI Purge

A government spokesperson cited DEI before the page was restored.
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm places the green jacket on 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler during the green jacket ceremony following the final round of the Masters Tournament.
March 19, 2025

Scottie Scheffler Blames LIV for Golf’s Ongoing Schism: ‘Go Ask Those Guys’

The defending Masters champion misses competing with top LIV players.
Asinga
March 18, 2025

Coach of Teen Sprinter Who Sued Gatorade Suspended in Doping Case

Asinga’s case against Gatorade may have just hit a major obstacle.
March 17, 2025

NFL Non-QB Salary Record Broken for 3rd Time This Month. Who’s Next?

The top of the pay scale is shifting faster than ever.