*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
Entering the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw quite a lot of their star talent hit the free agent market. Now, arguably one of their best free agents is back in Dodger Blue. The Dodgers and IF/OF Chris Taylor have agreed to a 4 year, $60 million deal, with a team option for a 5th year that could bump the money to $73 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Dodgers have confirmed the deal.
The Dodgers saw quite a lot of talent hit the free agent market, including Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw, Albert Pujols, and Kenley Jansen. Seager left to sign with the Rangers, and a lot of them are still free agents, but Taylor was also expected to leave, given he had such a big market, until the Dodgers were able to pony up the money he wanted, so he's now sticking around through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026.
The big draw for Taylor has been his defensive versatility. He can play every outfield position, including 3rd base, second base, and shortstop. Teams will always have room for a player who can play 6 positions on the field, especially one who made the all star game in 2021 while doing so, which Taylor can say he's done.
Last season with the Dodgers, Taylor swung an effective bat, finishing the regular season with a .254 batting average and .782 OPS, slugging .438 while hitting 20 home runs and driving in 73, stealing 13 bases in 148 games played. In an additional 11 playoff games, Taylor hit 4 home runs with 12 RBI's, stealing 3 bases in 43 plate appearances, including a walk off home run to win the wild card game.
Across 8 big league seasons, split between the Dodgers and Seattle Mariners, Taylor has a .261 career batting average, with a .443 slugging percentage and .779 OPS, hitting 79 home runs and driving in 309, stealing 58 bases in 743 regular season games. In 62 career playoff games, Taylor has a .259 batting average with 9 home runs and 25 RBI's in 236 plate appearances.
Since he was acquired from the Mariners during the 2016 season, Taylor has been a part of some of the biggest moments in Dodger history since that time. He was named Co-MVP of the 2017 NLCS after hitting two home runs and going 6-19 in 5 games. His walk off home run in the wild card game was already mentioned. In game 5 of the NLCS, with the Dodgers on the brink of elimination, Taylor hit 3 home runs to keep the Dodgers alive for another game.
Taylor will likely play an increased role in the middle infield as a backup to Trea Turner and Gavin Lux with Seager now gone. He'll also still get his fair share of reps in either left or center field, depending on who needs a day off or where Cody Bellinger is playing. Taylor is just the 3rd signing of the offseason for the Dodgers, joining pitchers Daniel Hudson and Andrew Heaney.
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