The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Chris Taylor to a four-year contract, finalizing the deal hours before the collective bargaining agreement is due to expire and lockout is expected to begin. Sheldon Neuse was designated for assignment as the corresponding move on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Heading into free agency, Taylor was one of the more important players the Dodgers figured to make an effort to retain. That became even more true in the wake of Corey Seager signing a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers.
Taylor reportedly drew interest from the L.A. Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, among other tams.
The super utilityman has become a key member of the Dodgers since being acquired via trade in June 2016. Taylor was instrumental to the team withstanding a rash of injuries this past season as he saw time at six different positions.
Taylor batted .254/.344/.438 with 20 home runs and 113 wRC+ while playing 61 games in center field, 46 at second base, 30 in left field, 23 at shortstop, 11 at third base and eight in right field.
“He’s invaluable,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts of Taylor earlier this year.
After watching Taylor hit a walk-off home run in the Wild Card Game and put together a historic performance in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series, Mookie Betts joined the chorus of praise.
“C.T.’s been amazing. All year he’s just been a grinder, man. He just is a baller,” Betts said. “It doesn’t matter how he’s feeling, he’s going to go and play no matter if he’s hurt, anything. So C.T.’s obviously someone that is kind of like an unsung hero. Everybody needs a C.T. on their team.”
The 31-year-old earned a first career All-Star Game selection, was voted the Dodgers’ winner of the 2021 Heart & Hustle Award and the 16th Roy Campanella Award. The organization presents the Roy Campanella Award annually to one player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher.
Neuse is designated for assignment after just one season with the Dodgers in which he hit .169/.182/.323 with three home runs and four RBI in 33 games. He was acquired last offseason in the trade that sent Adam Kolarek to the Oakland Athletics.
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