We're little under a month away from Opening Day, but the Minnesota Twins still have a ton of quesitons that need to be answered about the roster.
Starting pitching is what it is at this point, and hoping for a move to add a frontline starter is like waiting for the actual Santa Clause to come down the chimney. Derek Falvey has stated a few times that the team's attention is shifting to adding positional depth, which is something the Twins did in signing Carlos Santana.
Outfield depth, however, has yet to be addressed.
Byron Buxton is expected to return to his regular everyday duties in centerfield, but we know all too well how hard it is for him to stay healthy. If he can play a majority of the season in the field, and up to the superstar level he's capable of, it'll go a long way in massaging some of the depth stress.
Minnesota still needs to find a way to add some depth behind him, and it seems like a familiar face remains in the mix to do exactly that.
Twins reportedly still interested in re-signing Michael A. Taylor
Michael A. Taylor was a revelation and a godsend for the Twins last season. He was acquired to add defensive depth behind Buxton but ended up becoming the team's everyday centerfielder. Minnesota is in an almost identical place of need a year later, which could lead them back to Taylor.
Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune confirmed as much recently, reporting that the Twins haven't ruled out a potential reunion with Michael A. Taylor.
It was looking like Taylor would be able to parlay his incredible season into a nice free agent deal, but nothing ever materialized. There was certainly interest, as the Angels and Mets were among the teams looking into potentially signing him.
That didn't happen, and as teams around the league prepare to fully report for Spring Training, Taylor remains on the market.
It's pretty unfair, as Taylor turned in a stellar year both by his standards and based on other free agents still on the market. He hit more home runs than he ever has and posted the second-highest OPS+ of his career. His defense also lived up to the hype, specifically in the AL Wild Card where he might have saved the Twins season and the quest to end the 19-year postseason losing streak.
A Taylor-made catch to preserve the lead. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SKAKJFjcmd
— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2023
In addition to the tangible things he brings to the table, Taylor is a well-liked and respected member of the clubhouse. Getting him back would do more than just add depth behind Buxton -- proven depth, at that -- it would see a friendly face return and offer some continuity .
Austin Martin is projected to be on the Opening Day roster, which could complicate things, but it sees that we're trending more and more toward Taylor being back with the Twins again in 2024.