The Mariners announced that they have acquired infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor from the Royals in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported earlier that the two sides were working on a small deal so that Kansas City could open up a roster spot for Adam Frazier, whose deal is now official.
Taylor, 25, was able to make his major league debut with the Royals last year, after coming over from the Blue Jays in the 2022 Whit Merrifield trade. He made 69 plate appearances in 31 games, striking out at a 31.9% clip but also drawing walks at a healthy 10.1% rate, finishing the year with a .200/.279/.267 batting line. That offense was obviously subpar, but he also stole eight bases without getting caught and provided defensive versatility, lining up at second base, third base, left field and center field.
He has fared much better with the bat in the minors. In 89 Triple-A games last year, he paired a 15.9% walk rate with a 20.5% strikeout rate and slashed .301/.418/.466 for a wRC+ of 128. He swiped 43 bags in 53 tries while playing the same four positions that he played in the majors. If he could bring some of that offense up to the majors with him in the future, it would pair nicely with his speed and ability to shuffle around the diamond.
Though he got squeezed off the Kansas City roster, the M’s opened up a spot in last night’s Jorge Polanco trade, sending Justin Topa and Anthony DeSclafani to Minnesota. They will use that to add Taylor into their position player mix. He still has a couple of options and could find himself getting regular reps in Triple-A if he doesn’t secure a bench spot. Polanco will be the regular at the keystone while Luis Urías and Josh Rojas could be platooning at third, while players like Dylan Moore and Sam Haggerty will be in the mix for part-time/bench roles. In the outfield, Julio Rodríguez, Mitch Haniger and Luke Raley could be in line for regular playing time with players like Taylor Trammell, Dominic Canzone and Cade Marlowe on hand as depth options.
Worth a shot, this guy raked in Omaha last year, although his offensive track record before that was subpar.
Well it seems he had a good year a bad year then a good year. The bad year likely lost him favor in Toronto. But he returned to form. I think he certainly could at the least be a Forrest Wall type backup player with great speed off the bench. But he deserves another shot. Walks a lot to go with the speed, and a high average. I literally learned this in 1 minutes so I’m no expert.
Yeah I think he could definitely have some value, he’s still pretty young too!
Was he injured that down year?
This almost looks like they took the Greg Allen picture and put a Royals jersey on players!
Seems very similar to Haggerty or Moore. Utility player with little pop. Not seeing a big need here.
Moore probably gets moved to save salary
I could be wrong, but I don’t think this move will impact the big league roster. He has two options remaining and the M’s had an open 40-man spot. The guy is a huge stolen base threat, so he might replace the role Caballero played as a late-inning pinch runner/defensive sub when on the active roster, but I think he’s likely a guy who bounces back and forth.
The only way I think this affects the 40-man is if it precludes a trade of someone like Bliss for an MLB upgrade, but I suspect that is not the case.
Nobody wants Dylan Moore. I’ve never understood the M’s fascination with him. He plays multiple positions, but his hitting profile should be in AA or waiting tables.
Above average production should be in AA or waiting tables??
Dylan Moore is a plus or average defender at both corner OF spots, 3B, 2B, and is acceptable at 1B, plus he can play SS in a pinch. He has produced a 126 and 105 wRC+ to go with 122 and 104 OPS+ and 13 HR in the 250 AB during the last two seasons. He is well worth just under $3M per season.
I agree. Dylan Moore has been great for us, love the player. Great defense all over, surprising pop. Great post game interviews/ good person
But
Is 3mil much for this ownership when you might be able to replicate it with a minor league player.
It’s an interesting thing to consider, LDilbert, but unless Bliss can prove to be a utility guy, I’m not sure who replaces Moore in that role for cheaper and is as effective. It would be a gamble to move him without having a replacement in mind that Jerry and Hollander are confident in, in my opinion
And I can’t see a better use of $2.96M for the M’s unless that money is needed to bring in a starting-caliber player that could put us over the top. I think Moore stays. Just my prediction, though.
Same. You can find dudes with defensive versatility dime a dozen in FA that cost less than D Mo, would be nice to have Samad take his spot to clear up more $$$
Dime a dozen? Not hating on your opinion, but who are these dudes? Not just ones that have defensive versatility, but ones who are average or better defensively at 5 spots with the ability to play 6 and hit at above average league rates that also cost under $3M. I would argue that they’re the hardest players to find outside of superstars or aces.
I see no free agents left that fit this mold since Whit Merrifield has a below average bat now.
Absolutely not. Moore is their lone bench option who can handle SS well. The immediate backup isn’t going to be a regular at another position—especially one with a recent injury history.
He has some pop and can play the entire field. He is a lock. Barring injury, Moore, Urías, Zavala and Canzone are the complete bench.
Canzone will be starting in the outfield vs RHP and is a good candidate for a breakout season.
I believe Urias will platoon at 3B with Rojas
If Haniger is 100% healthy, he will be the starting right fielder. Canzone should get plenty of PAs, regardless, because they’ll likely be careful with Mitch.
OF is likely Julio, Haniger, and Raley with Canzone spelling Mitch sometimes, but I doubt he’s an everyday starter.
Both Taylor and Haggerty have options; nothing wrong with them competing for a spot in Spring Training.
There isn’t room for either one.
Royals roster is deep ! They trade every player they cut before release !
Something is deep.
Good player to acquire fir just cash
Peta would disagree with you acquiring fur !
Can’t see the furest fir trees
Bats made from fir? Hmm…
The Mariners are at least not showing complacency.
They have become pretty active lately.
And Taylor might see some action, too, if he makes the active roster.
Go Mariners!
Trader Joe’s can’t be stopped !!
I don’t mind this. He has two minor league options remaining and seems like a natural replacement for the Caballero late inning pinch runner/defensive sub role when on the active roster, not that I suspect he will be a ton.
Now subtract Moore, Haggerty, T.T. and Marlowe
Taylor to M’s so Royals can make room for Frazier who played 120 plus games at 2b for playoff teams M’s in 22 and Os in 23.
In relation to what each team gave up/paid, which team will get “the more bang for their buck” in 24? I say KC.
Now give Kyle Seager a call and bring him back out of retirement. I know he’s got some gas in the tank
Fast, versatile guy with solid minors production acquired for basically nothing is always a good thing.
This one the main player in dipoto master plan! Haha
Frees up Moore
Moore, France, Cole Young, Lazaro Montes,Berroa for
Ace Dylan Cease!
Bryan Woo and Emerson Hancock for Noelvie Marte !
Then Sign Lf Jorge Soler for 3/39
Win Now! let’s go Jerry this plan only cost Soler wage . You can do it…
No thanks on Cease, he’d be lucky to be our 5th best starter based off of last season’s stats.
Exactly he’d replace Woo
Push Woo and Emerson Hancock back to the minors to build their arms up
This isn’t fantasy baseball Dilbert
Saw him play for Omaha at the Nashville AAA team. I wrote on my scorecard that I thought he would make a great utility guy in majors. 50 hit tool, 60+ speed, but no power.
I hate to see Taylor go but t h e Royals can’t play all their young outfielders. Taylor can play the infield too nut the Royals think they are set there. Only time will tell.
Ok so we got literally nothing for Whit Merrifield.
Looks like it. Depends on the player we get back. Though without a player back it essentially becomes a deal of Frazier for Samad Taylor. Frazier hit .305 just in 2021 which isn’t that long ago. That said he might slow the development of Massey. If we still have options on Massey that might be good.
Why go and get Samad Taylor? You’re blocking Dominic Canzone who’s ready for alot more at bats. Center Field belongs to Julio Rodriguez in case anybody forgot
Why go and get him??? Because he cost literally nothing. He’s not blocking anybody. He’s simply another option at multiple positions who has plus speed, plus glove has multiple options left and is young. I don’t get how any m’s fan could have a problem with this…. The best players will play.