Taylor Ward Emerges as Potential Free Agent Target After Down 2026 Season

Taylor Ward is viewed as a potential buy-low free agent candidate after a puzzling 2026 campaign split between Baltimore and Seattle. Despite posting a career-best 16.3% walk rate and .359 OBP, his power plummeted to just seven home runs with a .311 slugging percentage in 111 games, including an 11-for-88 (.125) stretch with the Mariners. Lingering effects from an April hand injury and an overcorrected contact-oriented approach likely contributed to the decline.