LOS ANGELES — Byron Buxton made news last week during the All-Star Game media day when, asked about the possibility of being traded, he replied that he couldn’t be dealt.
“I got a no trade clause,” the Twins’ star said. “I’m a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life, so that’s the best feeling in the world knowing I get to walk into a clubhouse and it’s going to say Twins for the rest of my life.”
Utilityman Willi Castro sung a similar tune this week, though unlike Buxton, it’s not as clear that he will get his wish.
With the trade deadline approaching next week and Castro an impending free agent, he could be a valuable player for other teams if the Twins opt to sell at the deadline.
“I want to be a Twin, for sure,” Castro said. “I want to be a Twin for the rest of my life.”
It doesn’t seem so surprising that Castro feels loyalty to the Twins. After all, they helped revitalize his career after he was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers in 2022.
The Twins signed him to a minor league deal and gave him an opportunity to play — he made the roster in 2023 out of spring training as a non-roster invite and carved out a role for himself, eventually becoming an all-star last season.
He has been among the Twins’ most valuable players again this year, thanks in large part to his ability to move around the field, bouncing between the infield and outfield as needed.
But with the trade deadline approaching on July 31 and the Twins entering Monday five games behind in the wild card race — and 11 1/2 games behind the Central Division-leading Detroit Tigers — Castro could help a contending team in a lot of ways.
Despite chatter surrounding his future, Castro said he doesn’t really think about it and is doing his best to try to block out that noise.
“If they want to trade me, I guess I’ve got to go. You don’t control that,” Castro said. “I know there are some other teams that are fighting, but whatever happens happens. I’m going to be sad if they trade me, of course, but I don’t really think about that. I just go out there and get my job done and that’s about it.”
Southern California homecoming
A trip to southern California served as a homecoming for a number of Twins, including Royce Lewis, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Ty France.
Lewis and Keirsey, playing at Dodger Stadium for the first time, both expressed excitement over the prospect. Keirsey grew up in San Diego but lives now in Orange County, less than 50 miles south of Los Angeles. Lewis also grew up in Orange County, and both were planning on having a group of family and friends show up this week.
“I’ll soak it in,” Lewis said. “I think I’ll probably end up playing better, too. Just like enjoy it. … Obviously I want our team to wi. But man, I’m going to enjoy this … because this is like a dream come true.”
Briefly
After facing Shohei Ohtani on Monday night, the Twins get to see another all-star on Tuesday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the second game of the series for the Dodgers. The pitcher has a 2.59 earned-run average in 19 games this season. He will be opposed by Simeon Woods Richardson, who has a 1.47 ERA across his last six starts.
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