The White Sox and Chris Getz continue to add players to their roster, as we are only a few days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. Last year, Getz had more guys than usual in Spring Training to up the competition, and this year seems to be no different.
According to Robert Murray, the White Sox have signed veteran outfielder Michael A. Taylor to a deal.
Free-agent outfielder Michael A. Taylor and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a contract, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 11, 2025
Murray does not specify that it is a minor league deal, so I would assume that this is a major league deal. While there haven't been any rumors that a Luis Robert Jr. trade is on the horizon, this may signal that they intend to move him before the regular season starts.
Taylor is 33 but will be 34 before the season starts, so he can add a nice veteran presence to the White Sox locker room. Taylor isn't known much for his bat, but he has always been an above average outfielder, as he won a Gold Glove in 2021 with the Kansas City Royals.
WHAT A CATCH 🤯 @BRWalkoff
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 2, 2022
MICHAEL A. TAYLOR ROBS A HOMER
(via @BallySportsKC)pic.twitter.com/WINBzWqPAW
Last year, Taylor played in Pittsburgh, hitting .192 with a .253 OBP. He added five homeruns, 21 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in 300 plate appearances. While the average wasn't very good, he is just two years removed from a 2023 season where he hit 21 homeruns for the Twins in only 388 plate appearances.
At this point in his career, Taylor is the perfect 4th outfielder on a solid team, but for the White Sox, he can add extra insurance if the White Sox make a trade of any of the outfielders currently on the roster.
If things go well, Robert Jr. will definitely be traded before August, while Andrew Benintendi, Mike Tauchman, and Austin Slater are all trade candidates if they have a solid start to the season. Adding Taylor gives the White Sox more depth at the position, as they don't have many outfield prospects close to making their debuts.
However, if Taylor finds consistent playing time, a contending team could make a move for him as well, as he can provide good speed on the bases, as well as well above average defense in the outfield. Contending teams love to make moves like that at the deadline, so that could be something to look out for.
While this move doesn't catapult the White Sox into any form of contention, Taylor will provide a nice veteran presence to a young team, as well as another potential outfielder that could get some at-bats.
