Strengthening the outfield appears to be the Yankees’ goal heading into the trade deadline. They might be looking at a new team for Joey Gallo via trade and are still interested in Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi. But according to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com, there’s another name in the Bombers’ orbit: Michael A. Taylor.
Morosi said there have been “initial discussions” between the Yankees and the Royals regarding the center fielder. The 31-year-old Taylor was tied for the major league outfielder lead in Defending Runs Saved (19) last year on his way to winning his first Gold Glove.
Taylor signed a two-year, $9 million extension with Kansas City at the end of 2021. He has never been a star hitter, though his current 105 OPS+ would be a career high. However, the Yankees seem to be interested because of his value with the glove.
“I love (that) for the Yankees, because as well as Aaron Judge has played so far in center field, I think the team would rather rest him and send him to one of the corners more often in the second half,” he said. Morosi. “How would you do that? Well, by acquiring a Gold Glove-winning patrolman.”