Chris Taylor has been a mainstay for the Los Angeles Dodgers since joining the team and becoming a breakout star in 2017.
He earned a first career All-Star Game appearance this season, continued to play anywhere on the field and contributed in array of big moments through October. “He’s a glue guy and an All-Star,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said earlier this year.
“Even when he’s not swinging the bat the way he’s capable of, he still finds a way to help you win.”
Taylor now is due to become a free agent after the conclusion of the World Series, and because of his hitting and defensive versatility, will be a popular player on the open market.
Taylor could choose to sign with nearly any club and arguably assume a larger role, but potentially remaining with the Dodgers appears to carry some weight.
“It’s been a lot of fun playing with these guys,” Taylor said after the team was eliminated in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. “I’ve loved every minute of it. Definitely disappointed, but it’s been a joy to be part of this team.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. All I can say is I’ve loved every minute I’ve been a Dodger. I have no idea what’s going to happen this offseason, but the last five seasons I’ve been here, it’s been amazing. I’m so thankful I’ve had the opportunity to play for the Dodgers.”
The Dodgers reportedly considered a contract extension for Taylor during the season, but nothing came to fruition.
L.A. presumably will have high interest in agreeing to a new contract, particularly after losing Kiké Hernandez to the Boston Red Sox last offseason and not having any obvious replacement if Taylor does sign elsewhere.
He will likely get a contract similar to what Ben Zobrist received from the Chicago Cubs back in 2015, which was worth four years for $56 million. Taylor is a few years younger than Zobrist at the time of his signing, so he theoretically could be in the neighborhood of six years with a similar average annual value of around $15 to $20 million.
Taylor didn’t become consumed by free agency
Despite the Dodgers clearing facing an elimination scenario Saturday, uncertainty this winter was not something Taylor worried about.
“No, I wasn’t thinking about that,” he said. “I was trying to win a game. All those feelings creep in now, but no, not during the game.”
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