The Los Angeles Dodgers roster for 2025 is stockpiled with premier talent that includes some of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars.
Not in that echelon but still part of the Dodgers is Chris Taylor, who is in the final guaranteed year of his contract. With the Dodgers since 2017, the 34-year-old faces a critical stretch.
Since 2023, he’s batted .223/.315/.374 with 22 doubles, 19 home runs and 79 RBI, and after battling injuries last year, he was relegated to a reduced role.
The Dodgers have since found a way to cover the production he once had, but to Taylor’s own admission, he understands some changes must be made to rebound, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
“The last few years have not been up to the level I want.” Taylor said Wednesday during an appearance at the Yamaava’ Resort & Casino. “I don’t think that’s anything physical or my age. I think it’s more mechanical. For me, I’m definitely motivated to bounce back and kind of get back to where I was four or five years ago.”
The Dodgers quickly made changes to Taylor’s swing mechanics upon acquiring him from the Seattle Mariners. Those quickly turned him into a versatile piece with a keen ability to power the baseball to all fields.
Taylor’s scrappy demeanor has played a pivotal role in the past, but given ongoing struggles at the plate, his spot on the roster feels more like a battle to hold onto moving forward.
How can Chris Taylor factor into Dodgers’ plans?
Even with Taylor’s lack of offensive production, he brings a wealth of playoff experience to the Dodgers. It isn’t his main quality, as that is his defensive prowess in being able to field nearly every position on the diamond.
Signing Kiké Hernández and extending Tommy Edman takes a hit for what Taylor should be expected to provide, but he could be part of a platoon role in left field or third base. The middle infield isn’t set in stone, and it’s another spot Taylor could find time.
Offensively, a revelation would have to take place. His mechanics are very nuanced, and as the Dodgers have seen over the last few years, he is a volatile player whose low points are troubling.
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