Outfielder Michael A. Taylor and the Pittsburgh Pirates have officially inked a $4 million, one-year deal on Saturday. Additionally, the Pirates have solidified a minor league agreement with right-handed pitcher Domingo Germán, who made history last June with the 24th perfect game in major league history.
Following this achievement, Germán entered treatment for alcohol abuse last summer after the New York Yankees placed him on the restricted list.
Taylor, set to turn 33 this month, joins the Pirates at a time when the team is seeking reinforcement in right field. He posted a .220 batting average with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs during the previous season with the Minnesota Twins.
Having spent his initial seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, contributing to their 2019 World Series victory, Taylor moved on to play for the Kansas City Royals in 2021 and ’22. Last season, he played 129 games for the Twins, aiding them in securing the AL Central title. Throughout his career, Taylor has accumulated a .239 batting average with 95 home runs and 332 RBIs across 10 seasons.
While the Pirates have Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski holding down the fort in left and center field, respectively, they are looking at Taylor to bolster their right field options, alongside Connor Joe, Rowdy Tellez, Josh Palacios, and Edward Olivares.
As for Germán, the 31-year-old pitcher found himself in a rehabilitation program for alcohol abuse last summer, following his placement on the restricted list by the New York Yankees. Germán made headlines with a perfect game in a match against the Oakland Athletics on June 28. During the previous season, he recorded a 5-7 record with a 4.56 ERA in 19 starts and one relief appearance before entering the rehabilitation program.
Germán, known for his time with the Yankees, faces a $1.25 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster, along with opportunities to earn performance bonuses. Furthermore, the Pirates hold a team option for the 2025 season at $2.25 million.
With the Pirates seeking pitching depth behind Mitch Keller, Martín Pérez, and Marco Gonzales, the addition of Germán could provide much-needed support. However, the team’s top overall pick in last year’s amateur draft, Paul Skenes, is set to kick off the season in the minors.
Germán boasts a career record of 31-28 with a 4.41 ERA, all accumulated during his six seasons with the Yankees, with his standout performance being an 18-4 record in 2019.
