Michael A. Taylor Expected To Return Later In The Week
Chicago White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor (elbow) is expected to return to the starting lineup later this week. The outfielder was scratched on Saturday due to right elbow inflammation. However, it seems this injury is not too serious and he will only need a few days to return to action. This is a good sign for the White Sox as they could be without their starting left fielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) during the start of the season. Last summer, Taylor spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Across 113 contests, Taylor posted a .193/.253/.290 slash line with nine doubles and five home runs. He generated a weak .204 xBA but showed power upside as he posted a high 11.6 percent barrel rate. He also was placed in the 96th percentile in range and 83rd in arm strength. When healthy, he should have a depth role in the Chicago outfield.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor (elbow) was scratched from Saturday's contest due to right elbow inflammation. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the severity of the injury is not clear. Wilfred Veras replaced Taylor in the lineup and covered right field. Earlier in the offseason, the White Sox signed the 33-year-old to a one-year $1.95 million contract. Last season, Taylor logged 113 contests with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Across this stint, the veteran outfielder held a .193/.253/.290 slash line with nine doubles, one home run, and 12 stolen bases. He generated a strong 11.6 percent barrel rate but held a high 35.0 percent strikeout rate. However, Taylor was graded as an elite defender as he placed in 96th percentile in range and 83rd percentile in arm strength. When healthy, Taylor should have a depth role in the Chicago outfield.
Free-agent outfielder Michael Taylor and the Chicago White Sox agreed to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the deal. Taylor became a free agent last September when he was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and now he'll be heading to the American League Central to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in spring training. The 33-year-old veteran has primarily been an asset for his defense and speed during his 11 seasons in the big leagues with four different teams. He really struggled in 2024 with the Bucs, slashing .193/.253/.290 with a career-worst .543 OPS, five home runs, 21 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 35 runs scored in 113 games and 300 plate appearances. In Chicago, he'll be competing for a bench spot behind outfielders Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi, Oscar Colas, Dominic Fletcher and Austin Slater. You can avoid Taylor in fantasy.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Michael A. Taylor has been placed on outright waivers by the organization. This comes after Taylor went 1-for-3 during Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Reds. This news shouldn't shock anyone considering Taylor is hitting under .200 with four home runs and 20 RBI this season. He was signed to a one-year deal over the offseason. Now, Taylor gets a chance to join a contending team via waiver claim ahead of the postseason cut-off. It's uncertain who the Pirates will have take over the spot on the 26-man roster.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Michael Taylor will begin Friday's game at PNC Park against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds on the bench. Ji Hwan Bae will patrol center field for the Bucs and will hit ninth against Reds right-handed opener Buck Farmer. Taylor started in the outfield in seven of the team's last eight games but will take a seat on Friday in favor of Bae. The 33-year-old veteran is hitting under the Mendoza Line this year in 247 at-bats with only four homers, 20 RBI and 10 stolen bases in a part-time role in Pittsburgh. He could use a day off after going hitless with a walk and 11 strikeouts in his last 18 plate appearances over the last five games. Bae, who hits from the left side, will be a deep DFS sleeper to avoid out of the nine-hole. The 25-year-old South Korean is still searching for his first home run of the year and has four RBI and six steals in 65 at-bats.
Michael A. Taylor Blasts Three-Run Game-Winning Home Run
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Michael A. Taylor blasted a three-run game-winning home run in the top of the ninth inning Monday night in a 5-3 defeat of the Houston Astros. Taylor entered the game for Joshua Palacios (hamstring), who exited early after injuring himself running to first base and finished 2-for-3 on the night. The 33-year-old veteran probably hit the most significant home run of his career when he stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth inning. With runners on second and third base with two outs, he smacked a 1-1 sinker from Josh Hader 421 feet to left center field. With a .209 batting average and three home runs on the season, there is not much to write home about overall for Taylor. However, the veteran has been solid in July, hitting .300 (9-for-30) with two home runs and three stolen bases over 16 games. Despite that, he should remain on the waiver wire. There are many other outfield options to choose from, with better numbers and more paths to playing time than Taylor does at this moment. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out, though. In deeper 14-plus team leagues, he could be a helpful asset down the stretch if he continues this hot streak he is riding.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Michael Taylor will take a seat on the bench on Friday for the start of a series at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs. Taylor will retreat to the bench after starting the last four games while going 2-for-13 with a double, two runs scored and five strikeouts to drop his season slash line to a weak .222/.271/.287. The 33-year-old veteran outfielder has added only one home run, eight RBI, three stolen bases and 12 runs scored for the Bucs through a month and a half of the season. Jack Suwinski is getting the start in center field and is batting sixth, while Connor Joe will be in right field while hitting cleanup against Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Both Joe and Suwinski are worth a look as DFS sleepers in the outfield on Friday against a pitcher who currently holds an 0-3 record and 10.04 ERA.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed free-agent outfielder Michael A. Taylor on Friday. The contract is reportedly a one-year deal worth $4 million for the upcoming 2024 season. The 32-year-old is coming off a one-and-done season with the Minnesota Twins. Taylor slashed .220/.278/.442 with a career-high 21 home runs and 51 RBI in 129 games with the Twins. Taylor should be able to find his way into regular at-bats whether it's in the outfield or at designated hitter. The expectation is that his power is going to regress after last season, which makes him barely a deep league option in fantasy formats.
The Minnesota Twins are considered a possible landing spot for veteran outfielder Michael A. Taylor, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Taylor was mentioned as a potential target after the Twins created payroll by trading Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners. The veteran outfielder spent 2023 with the Twins, slashing .220/.278/.442 while slugging a career-high 21 home runs. He was also terrific defensively, posting a 95th-percentile OAA and 90th-percentile arm strength. Taylor appeared in 129 games last year and figures to maintain a very large role in 2024 regardless of where he signs. If the Twins don't bring back Taylor, another outfield option is veteran slugger Adam Duvall.
Michael A. Taylor Receiving Interest From Reds, Red Sox, Blue Jays
The free agent market for outfielder Michael A. Taylor is starting to take shape as the Reds, Red Sox, and Blue Jays are three teams showing interest in the veteran. Taylor put forth a solid combination of power and speed at the plate in 2023 as he slugged 21 home runs and stole 13 bases in just 388 trips to the plate. However, he also hit just .220 alongside a 33.5% K%, limiting him to a 96 wRC+ that sits 4% below the league average. Taylor's foremost contributions are with his glove as he has long been regarded as one of the best defensive center fielders in the sport. His low walk rates, high strikeout rates, and limited playing time put a hard cap on his fantasy value.
Michael A. Taylor
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White Sox
