Washington Nationals: 3 potential landing spots for Michael A. Taylor
Former Washington Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor will be joining a new organization for the first time in his career. Here are three possible fits for the free agent.
When Michael A. Taylor was sent to Double-A in 2019, playing in only 53 games in the majors while receiving only 97 plate appearances, the writing was on the wall. When Taylor received just 99 plate appearances and hit just .196 this past year, we knew the final chapter had been written. When Taylor was removed from the 40-man roster and chose to become a free agent early in the offseason, his sad saga with the Washington Nationals was finally over.
A once promising prospect who was given the starting centerfield job in 2015, had lost his spot on the roster altogether by 2019. A .271 average and 19 home runs paired with 17 stolen bases in 2017 was the last meaningful extended time Taylor would get with the Nationals.
They grew frustrated as his development regressed, and he was passed on the depth charts by Victor Robles.
Michael A. Taylor is a major league caliber player and he will find a job this offseason. Given the opportunity to play every day or fill in as a fourth outfielder, his speed and defensive attributes will come in handy for his next employer.
Let’s look at three potential landing spots for Taylor
Houston Astros
With their entire starting outfield hitting free agency the Houston Astros are in need of outfield depth. There are several reasons why the Astros would be a great fit for the services of Michael A. Taylor.
On the current 40-man roster the Astros currently have four outfielders. Yordan Alvarez suits better as a designated hitter. Chas McCormick has not yet appeared in a big league game. Myles Straw has played less than 100 games in his career and has just one home run to him name. Even Kyle Tucker has only played in 108 games. The outfield is youthful, to say the least.
With $110M tied up in four contracts (Greinke, Altuve, Verlander, Bregman) the Astros will be looking at filling holes on the cheap, without compromising anything talent wise.
Taylor can play all three outfield positions. If the Astros re-sign Michael Brantley, I could see Taylor starting in center or being the fourth outfielder. Taylor offers the same qualities Jake Marisnick did when he roamed the outfield at Minute Maid for years prior to being traded to the Mets a year ago.
The Astros have their leadoff hitter in Altuve, leaving Taylor to fall into the nine spot in the lineup and act as a “second leadoff hitter”. He does have more power than most, allowing him to slot in the six or seven spot as well.
For the economics involved and his versatility, I really see Taylor as a fit for the Houston Astros.
Kansas City Royals
Where the Houston Astros are looking to capitalize on a closing window of opportunity, the Kansas City Royals are not far from having this window opened. Much like the Astros they could use an affordable upgrade in the outfield.
Franchy Cordero and Jorge Soler are going to be in the lineup, even if Cordero struggles to hit. Nick Heath and Edward Oliveres are the young guys who have had little playing time and can’t be expected to get full-time on the job training if the team is serious about competing.
Michael A. Taylor is a good fit for this team and the direction they are headed. He can be brought in on a low-risk, one year contract, and given the starting job in center field. While there is no guarantee with Taylor given his up-and-down history at the plate, he has the experience and potential to bridge the gap to the younger players if the Royals want to make a run at a Wild Card berth this year.
If they fall out of the race they can give more time to the younger players and keep Taylor as a defensive specialist/fourth outfielder.
One aspect is obvious. The Kansas City Royals have a need, one of which Taylor satisfies. This seems like a great fit for both.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Unlike the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals, the Pittsburgh Pirates are not going to spend money. Even the small amount which Michael A. Taylor will command. The Pirates are looking for half-way decent players, making next to nothing, as they continue their rebuild.
Let’s be honest. There are several teams where Taylor is a possible fit. There are not a lot of teams with room on the 40-man roster to give a spot to a guy in Taylor’s position. The Pirates have just four outfielders on the 40-man roster and they have shown they will give an opportunity to a guy with a lot of upside.
Last year after the Toronto Blue Jays kicked Anthony Alford to the curb, the Pirates snatched him up. Alford was a player I thought would be an interesting fit in Washington at the time.
Depending on how the market plays out, Taylor is assuredly getting a major league deal. If the economics are in the Pirates favor or Taylor has to work his way onto the team via a minor league contract, this is a match.
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After seven years with the Washington Nationals, Taylor eventually wore out his welcome. He is a major league quality player both with his glove and his bat. Wherever he lands I wish nothing but success for the guy.