The Pirates have positioned Michael A. Taylor on outright waivers, in response to Robert Murray of FanSided. It is very important be aware that Taylor was not designated for project, which implies he’s nonetheless on the workforce’s 26 and 40-man rosters, so he’s eligible to play for the Pirates except he’s claimed by one other membership.
Taylor, 33, stays a wonderful defender and a beneficial baserunner in his eleventh huge league season. Sadly, he’s placing up career-worst numbers on the plate. Contemplating he already had a profession .683 OPS and 82 wRC+ coming into the 12 months, a career-worst efficiency means the righty batter has been all however an automated out. He’s slashing .196/.257/.284 with 4 residence runs and 20 RBI in 1oo video games.
With that in thoughts, it’s not exhausting to see why the Pirates is likely to be searching for one other workforce to take Taylor’s wage off their palms. The veteran signed a one-year, $4MM contract with Pittsburgh within the offseason, and he’s nonetheless owed roughly $790,000 for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, if Taylor goes unclaimed over the following 48 hours, he could have the best to reject an outright project to the minor leagues with out forfeiting any wage. Thus, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Pirates resolve to retain him on the lively roster. He nonetheless gives worth as a veteran fourth outfielder and high quality defensive substitute, even when he isn’t the on a regular basis participant the Pirates hoped he could be. Alternatively, the workforce would possibly want to eat his remaining wage and provides his roster spot to a extra promising younger participant. Commerce deadline acquisitions Nick Yorke and Billy Prepare dinner have each been hitting properly at Triple-A recently; absolutely the Pirates will wish to see what each of them can do on the huge league stage sooner relatively than later.