The 2023 Minnesota Twins focused on building depth, signing players like Donovan Solano and Willi Castro while trading for Kyle Farmer. Among these additions, Michael A. Taylor stood out as a valuable asset.
Acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals, Taylor filled several roles for the Twins. He provided a right-handed bat for outfield platooning and served as a backup center fielder for Byron Buxton. Taylor played 126 games in center field for the Twins last season.
Offensively, Taylor had a career year, hitting .220/.278/.442 with 21 home runs and a .720 OPS. He also contributed with 13 stolen bases and strong base running. Defensively, Taylor’s performance in the outfield, while not at Buxton’s level, was still impressive, with 8 outs above average.
Re-signing Taylor could make sense for the Twins, likely on a one-year contract under $10 million. However, given the team’s payroll limitations, it shouldn’t be a top priority. Taylor’s power surge in 2023 might not be sustainable, and his high strikeout rate is a concern.
The Twins have other options for center field depth, including Castro, who showed versatility and offensive capability, and Austin Martin, a former top prospect. While Taylor would add depth and stability, the team may prefer to allocate resources elsewhere, especially considering Buxton’s expected return to full-time center field duties and the emergence of other players.
In conclusion, while Taylor was valuable in 2023, the Twins might benefit more from investing in a right-handed slugger to platoon with Matt Wallner in left field. Reuniting with Taylor wouldn’t be a bad move, but it might not align with the team’s current needs and payroll constraints.
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