The Minnesota Twins are keeping the transaction wires busy. Yesterday, their latest move had them acquiring outfielder Michael A. Taylor who will turn 32 years of age in late March from the Kansas City Royals. Taylor has spent the past two seasons in Kansas City. The rangy right-handed hitting center fielder earned his first career Gold Glove in 2021 and signed a $9MM extension covering the 2022-23 campaigns late in that season. Taylor is known for his glove but his bat isn’t too shabby and he should make a nice back-up for Byron Buxton when he needs time off. Taylor had a 2.5 and 3.2 WAR in his last two KC seasons. Right-hander pitcher A.J. Alexy was designated for assignment to clear a spot for Taylor on the 40-man roster.
In return the Twins part ways with two minor league relief pitchers, LHP Evan Sisk and RHP Steven Cruz. The Twins had acquired Sisk from the Cardinals in the J.A. Happ trade in July of 2021. Steven Cruz was signed as a Dominican free agent in March 2017. Both are relatively young and have strike-em-out ability but have control issues. If one or both can lower their walks then the Royals have got something.