KANSAS CITY, Missouri ( Associated Press) — The Royals acquired left-handed pitcher Josh Taylor from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and another player. It was the second day in a row that Kansas City removed additional players on its roster in order to strengthen its bullpen.
The 30-year-old Taylor missed the last season due to a back injury. But he shone in his last three seasons with Boston, posting a 3.60 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 121 appearances. At one point in the 2021 season, he posted a streak of 26 straight scoreless appearances, the longest by a left-hander in franchise history.
Mondesi signed with the Royals in 2011 and spent his entire career with the club. He made his major league debut in the 2015 World Series at a time when his future was being touted as huge. But despite his exceptional speed and defense, as well as some flashes at the plate, Mondese stalled as he suffered multiple injuries. He has hardly played 109 matches in the last three seasons.
Despite having one more year on his contract, Mondesi’s future with the Royals was cloudy following the start of the previous season by top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. – who finished the season with a .252 batting average, 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases. gave a response
The Red Sox, which need help at shortstop, are confident the 27-year-old will stay healthy and replicate his 2019 level, when he hit .263 with nine home runs and 43 steals in 102 games.
“On Monday night, the Royals traded center fielders to Central Division rival Minnesota for Steven Cruz and Ivan Sisk, who could shore up the bullpen this season.
