What happened: Joel Sherman said on MLB Central that the major question around Byron Buxton and Mike Trout is whether they still do not want to be traded. The source signal frames both players as having previously said they do not want out, with no deal reported as agreed or imminent.
Why it matters: That makes player preference central to any deadline scenario involving either star. For front offices, the issue is less whether calls happen and more whether either player’s stance changes enough to make talks realistic.
By the numbers: Recent reporting has noted Buxton holds full no-trade rights through 2026, while Trout also has no-trade protection. That means either path would require player approval, not just club-to-club agreement.
What to watch: Watch for direct comments from Buxton or Trout before the trade deadline. Any shift in language would matter more than speculative interest alone.