According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Chicago White Sox have signed free agent veteran outfielder Michael A. Taylor. The terms of the deal are currently undisclosed. Taylor is coming off a disappointing 2024 season when he hit .193/.253/.290, 5 HR, and 21 RBI for the Pittsburgh Pirates before being unceremoniously designated for assignment late in the season.
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
White Sox Sign Veteran Outfielder Michael A. Taylor After a Disappointing Year
In addition to the Pirates, Taylor, a right-handed-hitting center fielder, has played for the Washington Nationals, with whom he earned a World Series ring in 2019, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins. For his 11-year career, he’s hit .235/.290/.381, 100 HR, and 353 RBI. Taylor is just two years removed from hitting a career-high 21 home runs for the Twins in 2023. However, he’s provided those kinds of seasons all too infrequently. He’s reached double digits in home runs just four times in his career.
When he’s not hitting home runs, Taylor does little to help an offense, due to a tendency to chase pitches and an inability to make consistent contact. He has struck out in 30.3 percent of his career plate appearances while walking in only 6.9 percent. Both ratios are worse than the major league average and unacceptable for a player with his speed. He has 120 stolen bases over his career. But the stolen base can’t be considered a featured weapon of his because he’s not on base often enough. He hasn’t stolen as many as 24 bases since 2018.
Where Taylor will help the White Sox is with his elite defense. In 2024 with Pittsburgh, he registered 14 FRAA and 12 DRS in center field. Over his career, Taylor is credited with 66 Fielding Runs Above Average (FRAA) and 83 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). He’s been charged with 23 career errors, an average of 2.1 per season. Surprisingly, he’s won just one Gold Glove Award, with Kansas City in 2021. The lack of more such awards would be due to too many seasons where he wasn’t a regular due to his weak hitting and the intersection of his prime years in the National League with those of Ender Inciarte.
The Last Word
With other free agent options available, it’s clear the White Sox are emphasizing defense over offense with his signing. Or perhaps they’re hoping Taylor regains his power stroke. If he does, Taylor can shoehorn his way into a reasonable amount of playing time. Otherwise, he’ll contribute as a pinch runner and late-inning defensive replacement.
Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
