The Atlanta Braves may be more interested in adding Michael A. Taylor over Joc Pederson.
Though the Atlanta Braves could still be in the mix for a Joc Pederson reunion, they might add a former division rival in Michael A. Taylor to their contending ballclub at the MLB trade deadline.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported over the weekend that Taylor is indeed on the Braves' radar. Taylor is in the first season of a two-year deal with the Kansas City Royals worth $9 million. This is his second season with the Royals, having played his first seven years with the NL East rival Washington Nationals. Taylor left the nation's capital after helping Washington win a World Series.
The 31-year-old centerfielder is under contract for 2023 and will not hit free agency until 2024.
Atlanta Braves trade rumors: Michael A. Taylor could be joining their outfield
With Adam Duvall going down for the year with wrist surgery, adding a player to the outfield has to be the Braves' primary need at the 2022 MLB trade deadline. Though they could look to add an arm to the bullpen, keep in mind that Kirby Yates is at Triple-A Gwinnett and could be making his Braves' debut soon. As far as a starting pitcher, Ian Anderson pitched very well in his latest outing.
With Kansas City being an obvious seller at the deadline, Atlanta could look to trade with the Royals once again for an outfielder. The Braves landed World Series MVP Jorge Soler in a deadline deal with Kansas City only a year ago. However, Soler would only spend only half of last year in a Braves uniform, as he signed a one-year deal with a player option to go play for the Miami Marlins.
Given that Duvall is set to hit free agency this winter, Atlanta may want to add an outfielder that will be around for more than October. The Braves already have two cornerstones in the outfield in Michael Harris II in center and Ronald Acuña Jr. in right, but left field has been a revolving door of who's who on the Atlanta defense. The Braves must replace Duvall's power and glove by Tuesday.
Pederson could return to Atlanta, but Taylor plays for a more willing trade partner in Kansas City.