Royals trade Mondesi to Red Sox for Josh Taylor
The Kansas City Royals have traded infielder Adalberto Mondesi to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed reliever Josh Taylor and a player to be named later, the team announced Tuesday.
Mondesi, who only played in 15 games last season after an ACL tear in his left knee, gives the Red Sox another option to play shortstop or second base.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom admitted Mondesi might not be ready for opening day as he continues to rehab, but is excited to add his skillset to the roster.
"The talent, the athleticism he has is really top-of-the-scale in Major League Baseball," Bloom said, according to the Boston Globe's Alex Speier.
Boston currently plans to start Enrique Hernandez at short and Christian Arroyo at the keystone position to begin the 2023 campaign in the wake of Xander Bogaerts' departure and Trevor Story's elbow injury.
Mondesi, 27, has swiped 133 bases in just 358 MLB games but hasn't been able to stay on the field consistently due to injuries. He's also struggled with the bat during his seven-year career, slashing .244/.280/.408 with 38 homers and 20 triples.
Taylor posted a 3.40 ERA with 11.3 K/9 over 61 appearances with Boston in 2021. However, the 29-year-old didn't pitch in 2022 because of a back ailment.
The Royals have also discussed Hunter Dozier and Nicky Lopez with other clubs, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Kansas City dealt outfielder Michael A. Taylor to the Minnesota Twins on Monday.