Red Sox Reportedly Interested In Gold Glove Outfielder Post-Shocking Trade

Boston could use some defensive help

Scott Neville | Dec 6, 2023

Red Sox Reportedly Interested In Gold Glove Outfielder Post-Shocking Trade /

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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox made a massive shakeup to their outfield on Tuesday night in a mega-trade that sent Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees for a trio of prospects.

The Red Sox reportedly will consider adding some external help to bolster the position. Former Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Lourdes Gurriel Jr. appears to be the most enticing name linked post-trade but he's not the only outfielder the club reportedly has in mind.

"With Alex Verdugo traded, the Red Sox have room to sign an outfielder. They have interest in Michael A. Taylor, per a league source," NBC Houston's Ari Alexander reported Tuesday.

Taylor hit .220 with 36 extra-base hits including 21 home runs, 51 RBIs and a .720 OPS (94 OPS+) in 129 games for the Minnesota Twins last season. His production was unorthodox -- especially given his frame -- as he relied on power to boost his low contact rate.

The 32-year-old is most highly regarded for his defensive prowess in centerfield. Taylor recorded five defensive runs saved and eight outs above average last season. He has a Gold Glove in his trophy case and always shines in the field.

The Red Sox desperately need a defensive boost after an error-laden season in 2023 but Taylor does not fit onto Boston's roster.

Even without Verdugo, the Red Sox still have Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran, Robert Refsnyder, Wilyer Abreu and possibly Ceddanne Rafaela to roam the outfield next season.

It would make more sense to roll out the young guys since it does not appear that Boston will be highly competitive next season.

More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Prioritizing Deal For Japanese Superstar At Winter Meetings

Published Dec 6, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu