5 former Royals free agents it's not too late to bring back
By Joel Wagler
3. Michael A. Taylor, OF
With Michael A. Taylor, you will know what you have. He's going to provide excellent defense, but not a lot of positives at the plate. Though he surprisingly set a career-high in home runs last year with 21, he also struck out a crazy 130 times with just 26 walks.
Right now, the Royals seem content with Kyle Isbel in center with MJ Melendez, Nelson Velazquez, and Hunter Renfroe at the corner outfield spots. It is not quite as clear who will be the backup in center field.
The Royals probably have seen all they need to of Drew Waters. The former Brave hit .228 last season, despite a healthy. 321 mark in Batting Average on Balls in Play. He came with the reputation as a great fielder but he's been awful. In this time with the Royals, he has -6.6 Ultimate Zone Rating, according to Fangraphs, and -4 Defensive Runs Saved while playing centerfield.
Taylor, on the other hand, has a UZR of 13.4 over the past two seasons and 24 DRS. The Royals can probably live his below average bat at the bottom off their lineup on the days he fills in for Isbel, and he could serve as a defensive substitution at the corner outfield spots late in close games and improve the defense in those instances.
Taylor is yet another player who could upgrade the Royals' bench with an effective veteran presence without costing them much in salary.