Previewing the Pirates: Michael A. Taylor cements CF, Edward Olivares adds OF depth

The Pittsburgh Pirates played a game of musical chairs in their outfield in spring training, trying multiple players in center field in an effort to improve their defense before settling on one with a Gold Glove.

The late-spring signing of Michael A. Taylor cemented center field but caused more movement, as Bryan Reynolds switched to right and Jack Suwinski shifted from center to replace Reynolds in left.

The 32-year-old Taylor has 72 career defensive runs saved, won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals and an AL Gold Glove with the Kansas City Royals in 2021.

“It’s the ability to change the game defensively in center field,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton told SportsNet Pittsburgh in a guest appearance during Monday’s Grapefruit League finale against Toronto. “We feel strong about Jack as a center fielder, as much better as he’s gotten, but we’re talking about a guy (in Taylor) when he puts on his glove has gold on it. That’s really going to help our defense.”

It also should help the Pirates’ offense, as the 32-year-old Taylor hit a career-best 21 home runs for the Minnesota Twins last season. His presence not only adds more pop to the lineup but allowing Suwinski (26 homers, 74 RBIs) and Reynolds (24 homers, 84 RBIs) to play in the corners should reduce some of the toll on their bodies.

The Pirates signed Taylor to a one-year, $4 million contract March 16. Shelton said Taylor played in a minor league game in his first day at camp, then played four innings and got four at-bats in his debut.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a guy come into camp at the time he signed late and be as prepared as he was,” Shelton said. “It’s a really nice addition. I really appreciate the fact that we were aggressive as we got into camp and realized that we needed an addition and Ben (Cherington) going out and signing Michael.”

Taylor’s addition also improves the Pirates’ depth in the outfield. Connor Joe and Edward Olivares provide a pair of right-handed bats who can play all three outfield positions, and Andrew McCutchen is likely to see more time in right field this season after serving mostly as designated hitter last year.

Olivares was acquired from the Kansas City Royals in December and avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract. The 28-year-old Olivares had 39 extra-base hits —23 doubles, four triples and 12 homers — in 107 games for the Royals last season and had three doubles, a triple and a homer this spring to beat out Billy McKinney, who slashed .359/.490/.590 with three doubles, two homers and nine RBIs.

The improved outfield depth allowed the Pirates to option their 2023 Opening Day starter in right field, Canaan Smith-Njigba, and lefty slugger Joshua Palacios (10 homers) to Triple-A Indianapolis to start the season. They also reassigned outfielders McKinney and Gilberto Celestino to minor league camp, giving them replacements at the ready who have major league experience.

Shelton said he turned to Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, for whom he previously served as bench coach, for a recommendation on Taylor. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder slashed .220/.278/.442 with 14 doubles, 51 RBIs and 48 runs scored but struck at a 33.5% rate last season.

“I don’t think there’s anybody I trust with outfielders more than Rocco. He was an unbelievable talent as an infielder, as a center fielder,” Shelton said. “We started talking about Michael a little bit this offseason. Roc gave a glowing report on him, not only as a player and a center fielder but as a guy in our clubhouse, and we’ve seen that right from the jump.”