KC Royals trade Michael A. Taylor to Minnesota Twins: MLB trade news

The Royals have made what could be perceived as their first big roster move of the offseason by trading center fielder Michael A. Taylor to the Minnesota Twins.

In return, the Royals are receiving minor-league left-handed pitcher Evan Sisk and right-hander Steven Cruz. Cruz, 23, was ranked 28th in the Twins’ farm system per MLB Pipeline.

This also clears $4.5 million owed to Taylor in 2023 from the Royals’ books. The Royals signed Taylor to a two-year extension back in September of 2021.

Previously, the Royals’ most notable offseason moves — roster-wise — have included bringing in free-agent reliever Aroldis Chapman, adding right-hander Jordan Lyles (and shipping out Ryan O’Hearn in a corresponding move) and signing lefty Ryan Yarbrough, who was previously with Tampa Bay.

Taylor has appeared in 266 games with Kansas City over the last two seasons, hitting .249 with a .304 on-base percentage and 21 total home runs. While with the Royals, Taylor earned a Gold Glove in 2021 for a defensive effort that included an MLB-leading 19 defensive runs saved by a center fielder, as well as 11 assists. He won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019.

Cruz, listed at 6-7, throws a fastball in the 95-101 mph range with a hard slider, per MLB.com. He had a Double-A ERA of 5.14 last year, though he did post 72 strikeouts in 56 innings.

Sisk, 25, posted a 1.57 ERA last season and has a 2.69 ERA for his minor-league career. He spent time at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2022.