Royals had targeted Red Sox reliever Josh Taylor for the last couple of years
The Red Sox traded left-handed reliever Josh Taylor to the Royals for infielder Adalberto Mondesi and a player to be named later of cash.
According to MLB.com’s Anne Rogers, the Royals had their “eye on Taylor for some time.” When speaking with a source close to the situation, Kansas City has had interest in Taylor since the 2021 season.
“That’s a player we’ve tried to acquire in the past,” Royals general manager and executive vice president J.J. Picollo said. “It’s a very good depth piece for us to have and it creates a lot of competition in our bullpen. ... It allows us to put a bullpen together that can lock down any lead that we have after the sixth inning.”
Taylor who missed all of last season for the Red Sox is the latest bullpen piece added by the Royals in the last week.
The Royals new southpaw provides the club with a left-handed bullpen depth with upside. The 29-year-old did not pitch for the Red Sox last season due to a back injury. He will make $1.03 million this upcoming season after he signed a one-year-deal to avoid arbitration.
Taylor will join free agent Aroldis Chapman who Kansas City reportedly agreed to terms with last week. The former Yankees closer likely projects as a mid-season trade candidate if he performs well in the first half.
The Royals also recently added two pitching prospects in a trade with the Twins that sent them Michael A. Taylor. The Twins sent 23-year-old right-hander Steven Cruz and 25-year-old left-hander Evan Sisk to Kansas City.
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