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Willy Taveras | Outfielder

Team: Kansas City Royals
Age / DOB:  (31) / 12/25/1981
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 180
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
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Royals signed OF Willy Taveras to minor league contract.
It's expected that he'll get a spring training invite. Taveras, now 30 years old, didn't play professionally in 2012 and hasn't played in the majors since 2010. He's a long shot to make the Opening Day roster. Tue, Dec 11, 2012 11:23:00 AM
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

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Date:
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

According to Evan Drellich of MLB.com, Willy Taveras is planning a comeback.

"I just need a chance to get back in baseball. That's what I love, I love to play baseball," said Taveras, who hasn't played in the majors since 2010 and didn't play professionally this year. "It hurt to watch the games on TV. I definitely want a chance to get back to baseball and go from there." Now 30 years old, he'll likely have to settle for a minor league deal.
Source: MLB.com
Tue, Sep 25, 2012 03:18:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Rockies signed OF Willy Taveras to a minor league contract.

Taveras also received an invite to spring training. The 29-year-old outfielder was released by the Nationals last May after just 35 at-bats with the club. He had brief minor league stints with the Phillies, Rangers and Braves from there, but didn't have another at-bat in the big leagues. We're not counting on some sudden renaissance, but Taveras did have his most productive season as a member of the Rockies back in 2007. He at least offers some speed and insurance as a potential fourth or fifth outfielder in case of injury.
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 05:27:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Rangers signed OF Willy Taveras to a minor league contract.

This is the fourth team Taveras has been with this year after he had been released by the Nationals, Phillies and Braves. He'll provide some depth in the outfield at Triple-A and could be brought up in September to serve as a pinch-runner.
Sun, Aug 15, 2010 03:33:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Braves signed OF Willy Taveras to a minor league contract.

This is probably a depth move, as the Braves have some injuries in the outfield currently. Hopefully for Braves fans, the organization doesn't view him as a better option than Melky Cabrera or a healthy Nate McLouth.
Sun, Jul 4, 2010 09:29:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Phillies released OF Willy Taveras.

Taveras was signed to a minor league contract earlier this month. He batted .208/.255/.271 with zero homers, three RBI and nine stolen bases in 96 at-bats during his time with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 28-year-old outfielder is now free to be awful somewhere else.
Tue, Jun 29, 2010 04:47:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Phillies signed OF Willy Taveras to a minor league contract.

Taveras was given his release last month after batting .200/.243/.257 with four RBI over 35 at-bats with the Nationals. He'll essentially fill the void in the minor leagues left by DeWayne Wise, who exercised the out-clause in his contract earlier this week.
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 11:40:00 AM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Nationals released OF Willy Taveras.

Taveras cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the club last weekend. He batted .200/.243/.257 with four RBI in 35 at-bats with the Nats.
Fri, May 21, 2010 12:12:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Nationals designated OF Willy Taveras for assignment.

Taveras, 28, hit just .206 with a .250 on-base percentage and a .26 slugging percentage in 34 at-bats this season for the Nationals. He will probably wind up in Triple-A Syracuse eventually unless the Nats decide to cut ties with him altogether. Mike Morse will be activated from the DL on Sunday.
Sat, May 15, 2010 11:21:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Willy Taveras was 2-for-4 with four RBI in a 4-3 win over the Mets on Saturday afternoon.

Taveras was a one-man wrecking crew on Saturday, ripping a two-run triple in the second inning and a two-run single in the fourth. Unfortunately it looks like Taveras might get the next opportunity against left-handers instead of Mike Morse.
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 04:49:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Willy Taveras gets the start in right field with the Nationals facing lefty Oliver Perez on Saturday.

Washington Post writer Chico Harlan referred to the role as "right field roulette," which is a pretty fair description of the Nationals' situation. Mike Morse, who pinch-hit during Friday's game, doesn't appear well enough to go.
Related: Willie Harris, Michael Morse
Source: Washington Post
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 11:52:00 AM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said that Willy Taveras will be a right-handed platoon option in right field.

The light-hitting Taveras is set to share right field duties with Willie Harris. The pitching staff will love all the ground they will cover, but Taveras posted an on-base percentage of .275 last season and .308 in 2008. He should be an extra outfielder, not a starter, but this is what you get when you release Elijah Dukes.
Related: Willie Harris
Source: Adam Kilgore on Twitter
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 10:48:00 AM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Willy Taveras went 2-for-3 and homered off Houston's Wandy Rodriguez on Wednesday.

A true rarity; Taveras has just one homer against a left-hander in a regular-season game, that coming in 2005. Taveras can't be a realistic option in right field for the Nats, but with Elijah Dukes gone, he may now have a shot of making the team.
Wed, Mar 17, 2010 04:24:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Nationals signed OF Willy Taveras to a minor league contract.

He'll battle for a roster spot during Spring Training. Taveras, 28, batted just .240/.275/.285 with the Reds last season and was given his release after being acquired by the Athletics earlier this month. The Nationals should have an open competition for a fourth outfielder, including Justin Maxwell and another non-roster invitee Chris Duncan.
Mon, Feb 15, 2010 12:54:00 PM
Willy Taveras - OF - Royals

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that the Astros are not signing free agent outfielder Willy Taveras.

We're not sure if this means the Astros are no longer interested or if he has decided to sign elsewhere, but either way, this all but closes the door on a return to Houston. Taveras, 28, was released by the Athletics earlier this month after being traded by the Reds. Though he batted just .240/.275/.285 last season, he'll probably find a job as a fourth or fifth outfielder due to his speed and fine defense.
Related: Astros
Source: Brian McTaggart on Twitter
Mon, Feb 15, 2010 12:01:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Salvador Perez
2George Kottaras
1B1Eric Hosmer
2B1Chris Getz
2Elliot Johnson
3Miguel Tejada
SS1Alcides Escobar
3B1Mike Moustakas
LF1Alex Gordon
CF1Lorenzo Cain
2Jarrod Dyson
RF1Jeff Francoeur
2David Lough
DH1Billy Butler
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1James Shields
2Jeremy Guthrie
3Ervin Santana
4Wade Davis
5Luis Mendoza
6Danny Duffy
7Felipe Paulino
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Greg Holland
2Aaron Crow
3Tim Collins
4Luke Hochevar
5J.C. Gutierrez
6Bruce Chen
7Louis Coleman