MINNEAPOLIS -- In an often difficult year for the Twins, Byron Buxton consistently provided some of the brightest moments. Appropriately, he was recognized Wednesday with his first Most Valuable Twin Award when the club announced its annual Diamond Awards winners .

Buxton was also named the winner of the Jim Kaat Award for Twins Defensive Player of the Year.

It was the most complete season of Buxton’s career, as he set career highs in home runs (35), RBIs (83), runs (97), walks (41), plate appearances (542) and at-bats (488) while topping 120 games played for the second time in 11 seasons. He posted a .264/.327/.551 line and hit for the first cycle in Target Field history and the first of his career on July 12.

“I just need to play,” Buxton said at the end of the season. “My numbe

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