Major League Baseball
1 hour ago
Days after trading one of their best bats, the Twins are acquiring one of the best defensive players in baseball.
The Kansas City Royals are trading outfielder Michael A. Taylor to the Twins for a pair of minor league pitchers, for multiple reports.
Taylor, who turns 32 in March, is coming off one of his best seasons at the plate in his nine-year career. He hit .254 with a .670 OPS to go along with nine home runs in 43 games.
Taylor’s main selling point, however, is his fielding. He was tied for the most strikeouts above average (17) among all outfielders in 2021, helping him earn a Gold Glove. He has the ninth most strikeouts above average (34) among all outfielders over the last five seasons.
Taylor is expected to be the Twins’ fourth outfielder behind Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and Joey Gallo. Minnesota shook up its lineup this offseason, signing Carlos Correa, Christian Vazquez and Gallo, and last week shipped the 2022 AL batting champion. Luis Arraez to the Marlins for the starting pitcher Pablo Lopez.
The Royals will get left-hander Evan Sisk, 25, and Steven Cruz, 23, in exchange for Taylor.
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