March 24th, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 When Dodgers fans think contract extensions for key players, the names Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager immediately come to mind, as they should considering their respective performances, value to the team, and impending free agency. But, there is another free-agent-to-be who regularly contributes to team success without the notoriety of his more famous teammates; Chris Taylor.
Taylor is the epitome of low profile, going about his business with a calmness that often belies the importance of the moment. Though he doesn’t have a specific defensive position, commonly referred to as a utility player, he has regularly provided key hits and game-saving defensive plays, turning himself into an indispensable cog for the Dodgers machine.
The Dodgers acquired Taylor on June 19, 2016, from the Seattle Mariners for once-promising pitching prospect Zach Lee. This was a trade which, at the time, seemed inconsequential, two teams exchanging players who had not lived up to their potential; one team looking for pitching help, the other wanting infield depth. Taylor had an unremarkable start to his Dodgers career that season, slashing .207/.258/.362/.620 in 62-plate appearances. Failing to make the team’s playoff roster after the season, Chris went to the team’s Camelback Ranch facility to remake his swing mechanics.
Working with hitting consultant Robert Van Scoyoc (now the Dodgers hitting coach), Taylor was looking for much more than an incremental improvement in his swing. He was looking to improve his exit velocity and move from warning track power into legit home run power. The refinements continued through the 2016 off-season with remarkable results. In the last four seasons (2017-20), Taylor has slashed .266/.340/.465/.805 with 58 home runs, 260 runs scored, and 226 RBI. Over that period of time, Taylor has accumulated 12 WAR* (14 when adjusted for the 2020 short season), an average of 3 to 3.5. For comparison purposes, over the same period of time, playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Dodgers, AJ Pollock’s WAR* was 6.7 (7.4 when adjusted for the 2020 season).
While the Dodgers will prioritize re-signing Seager and Kershaw, the team needs Taylor’s offense and defensive versatility as they compete for future World Championships. The 2021 season will determine the amount and length of Taylor’s next contract, but a benchmark for Taylor’s negotiation with the Dodgers may be Pollock’s 5-year, $60 million deal with the team.
(* Fangraphs WAR)
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Taylor has been just terrific for the Dodgers over the last 4 years.
I really enjoy watching him play the game. He is the type player (amongst other Dodgers) who I hope is a career Dodger.
Not gonna lie, it has taken me a while to warm up to Taylor, but I am beyond impressed with him this Spring. The off-season work he put in is very apparent.
I still prefer Lux as the everyday 2B, but Taylor filling in behind him – and everyone else on the team – is a tremendous asset to the team.
Taylor’s defensive flexibility is a tremendous tool for Roberts and the team, but at the expense of Taylor’s personal stats. If it were up to me, Taylor would be the every day left fielder.
I could live with that, though it will never happen because of Pollock’s contact.
My older sister has a crush on CT3!
I’d suspect he is going to get starts 4/5 times a week rotating through his whole gambit of positions. LA is so deep, there’s little chance they over work anybody this season. I’d bet Mookie leads the team in games started around the 155 mark. Then Bellinger, Seager and Muncy around 150. After that, Pollack, Lux, Taylor, Turner. Smith for around 100, Barnes 60ish. Just my speculation.
I think your numbers of games played are right in the neighborhood, although the Dodgers are likely hoping to get 120 from both Turner and Pollock.
Every time I’m ready to throw the towel in on Pollock, he has a monster game. That said, I still believe the Dodgers have better OF options than him.
I agree 100%. I did not care for the signing at the time, preferring for Taylor and Pederson to the left field tandem.
Taylor in left would be just fine but Ron is correct, Pollock’s contract prevents that from happening.