In June of 2016, the Dodgers traded former #1 pick, Zach Lee to the Mariners for SS Chris Taylor. Taylor had been drafted in the 5th round of the 2012 draft. Lee was taken in the first round, #28, in 2010. Nobody knew it at the time, but the trade would be a steal for the Dodgers. Lee never pitched a single game for Seattle, and Taylor became one of the Dodgers best options off of the bench.
Based on what he has done since his stellar playoff performance in 2021, most Dodger fans do not see it that way. To them, he wasn’t worth the 60- million-dollar four-year contract he was given. But the front office felt differently. Kike left for Boston, so Taylor was the one true Swiss-Army knife type player that they had left. At the beginning of the 22 season, Taylor was the regular left fielder. 
But let’s go back to 2016. On June 19th, Taylor was traded to the Dodgers for the aforementioned Lee. He had played just 2 games for Seattle and was 1-3. It did not take long for Chris to write his name in Dodger history. On July 15th in Arizona, He hit his first career homer, a grand slam off of Silvio Bracho. He also doubled and tripled and drove in 6 runs. He was a single short of the cycle. He joined Preston Ward, (1948) and Chico Fernandez (1956), as the only Dodgers to hit a grand slam as their first MLB homer.
He also became the third second baseman in Dodger history to drive in 6 runs. Billy Herman, (1943), and Jackie Robinson, (1949). For the year he hit .207 in 34 games. An omen of things to come, he played SS, 2B and 3B that year in his 34 games with the Dodgers. He did not appear in the postseason. Chris worked on his swing in the offseason hoping to improve his contact and add some power.
He did not make the team out of spring training, and he was sent to OKC. Taylor played in 10 games at OKC hitting .233 in 43 at bats and he was recalled to the Dodgers. Taylor had started working out in center field, Seager was the SS and Chris was not going to play there much. But the Dodger outfield in early 17 suffered losses of Franklin Guiterrez and Andre Ethier, both expected to fill major roles. Joc Pederson was in center and Puig in right. Several others would play out there during the season. 
Most of Taylor’s starts came in the outfield, (96). He made 49 in center and 48 in left. He also played 3rd, SS and 2nd. He played in 140 games, batted .288 with 21 homers and 72 runs driven in. He struck out 142 times in 514 at bats. He got his first career walk off hit on July 6th. He played 15 postseason games, going a combined 15-59 with 3 homers and 7 runs batted in. His best performance came against the Cubs in the LCS. He was named the MVP of the NLCS along with Justin Turner.
2017 was his best season. In 2018, he hit .254 with 17 homers, stole 9 bases and struck out 178 times to lead the NL. He drove in 63 runs and played the bulk of his games, 81, at SS due to the injury to Corey Seager. He would do that until the Dodgers traded for Manny Machado just after the All-Star game. He appeared in 155 games, which is his career high. He only had 3 at bats against Atlanta in the LDS in 18, hitting a homer and driving in 2. He played all 7 games against the Brewers in the LCS, batting .364 and making a game saving catch the Jeff profiled the other day. In a quirky twist of fate, he did not get the MVP award for the series even though he led the team in hits, it went to Bellinger, who batted just .200 for the series.
Like most of the Dodgers, Chris did not hit well in the World Series against the Red Sox. In 2019, he played 124 games, batting .262 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs. He cut his Ks down to 115. He stole 8 without being caught. He played a majority of his games in left field. He went 1-8 in the LDS loss to the Nats. Chris did ok during the shortened 2020 season, batting .270 with 8 homers and 32 RBIs.
He had signed a two-year-13.4-million-dollar extension with the Dodgers prior to the season. He played second base most of the year. He was 13-58 in the post season. His only homer came in the World Series against the Rays as did all of his RBIs, 3. The homer came in the Dodgers game 2 loss. In 2021, Taylor played well, batting .254 with 20 homers and 70 runs driven in. He was selected to his first and only All-Star game.
His biggest moment of the season came in the Wild-Card game against the Cardinals. In the bottom of the 9th inning, with a runner on and two outs, he hit a walk-off homer against TJ McFarland, sending the Dodgers to the LDS against the Giants. Photo above. He was just 2-14 in the LDS against the Giants. Against Atlanta in the LCS, Chris batted .476 with 3 homers and 9 driven in. He became the first player to ever hit 3 homers in an elimination game. Unfortunately for Dodger fans, the Braves won game 6 to go to the World Series. 
That offseason, Taylor was rewarded with a 4-year-60-million-dollar contract. Part of the reason was that Kike Hernandez had decided to go play in Boston as a regular. To many fans, it seemed like a lot of money for a utility guy. At that point in time though, the team’s top brass must have felt he was worth it. The 2022 Dodgers were a juggernaut during the regular season. They won a team record 111 games. Their starting outfield, which had Taylor in left a bulk of the games, was one of the best defensive outfields that they have ever had with Taylor, Bellinger and Betts. Trayce Thompson would also see time there as would Joey Gallo.
Taylor had some injury issues and batted just .221 with 10 homers and 43 driven in. He was 0-7 in the LDS loss to the Padres. Chris went back to his utility role in 23, he improved a bit to .237 with 15 homers and 56 RBIs. On the 15th of June, Taylor hit his 100th homer off of Reynaldo Lopez, a grand slam. He became the first player in history to hit grand slams on his first and 100th homers. He was 1-6 with an RBI in the LDS loss to the D-Backs.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 14: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a play at shortstop in the game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on June 14, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
2024 was difficult for Chris, he was plagued with a groin injury and recurring pain in his neck. He batted just .202 for the year with 4 homers and 23 driven in while playing in just 87 games. He got 4 at bats in the LDS without a hit. He played a little more in the LCS due to Lux’s injurie getting 3 hits in 8 at bats and walking twice. He was used mainly as late inning defense in the World Series win over the Yankees, but he did get a hit in his only official at bat. He got his second ring at a ceremony earlier this season.
We all know he was getting very limited playing time this season, and Freidman addressed that when he talked about releasing Chris the other day on the pre-game show. One thing I always admired about Taylor was that he was a grinder type player. He went out did his job and never bitched about where he was playing or how much playing time he was getting. His biggest detractor as a player to me at least, was the fact that he struck out way too much for a player with his skill set.
Taylor always played hard, he made some great defensive plays, and he had some great games with the bat that helped the team win games. A few years ago, if my memory serves, he threw a Padre player out at home for the final out. Just like Mookie made a game saving diving catch to end a game in San Diego, Chris did the same with a great throw from left field. His time as a Dodger is over, but AF said Chris would always have a place in LA. I agree. Taylor was who he was, and I appreciate all he did for the Dodgers.
memories
Okay now that taylor and Barnes are gone keep making team better how about Muncy and Rojas. We need some pitching some starters that won’t get hurt. I bet they wish they would have signed Jack back. With snell and glasnow getting better soothe playoff hope is to have Yamamoto Snell Glasnow Goslin and Kershaw but they need to do something about thirdbase and left field. Lane Thomas possible or Nolan that would help there. But pitching who would be the jack Flarethy to get at the deadline this year. Hmmm.
The Dodgers pitching staff is abysmal. Every time the Dodgers are in the field I cringe. First innings make me want to vomit in my mouth now.
The pitching staff has zero fundamentals. They’ve built the staff based on chase rates, matchups and analytics. It’s time the Dodgers make a change and go back to basic pitching foundation 101.
1. Starters must go deeper into games. All pitchers in the organization should have this directive. Every Starters goal should be 6-7 innings every time out.
2. No more obsessing over chase rates. Pitching efficiently should be prioritized.
3.getting ahead in counts and not making useless edge pitches.
4. Getting the first out of innings.
5. Challenging hitters when there are two strikes.
6. Limiting walks, and avoiding 3-ball counts. Doing 2, 3 and 5 will help with this one.
7. Limiting home runs will be another priority for all pitchers.
8. Following the recent youth movement, replacement level, AAAA, and non- prospect amateur pitchers should be immediately released from the organization. Guys like Garcia, Trevino, loutos and Noah Davis should never see another inning as Dodgers. All pitching prospects from AA and higher should be called up to eat innings. Wrobleski, Frasso, Copen, etc. All of them should be with the big club until the injured pitchers return.
9. Bring in an old school non-analytics former pitcher to help teach these fundamentals. Someone like Orel Hershiser would help.
10. Focus on finding pitchers who can provide innings at the trade deadline.
11. No more bullpen games or openers.
If the Dodgers want to get serious about defending their title this year, they can’t continue rolling out these pitchers every game. Otherwise they will continue to lose and fall in the standings.
Bob Nightengale reports the Dodgers supposedly looking at Ryan McMahon.
Always liked him. Would be an upgrade for sure.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!
My 3 fave CT3 moments must be:
1) the game winning 9th inning HR vs the Cards in the Wild Card game 2021
2) the catch in Game 7 2018 vs Milwaukee
3) leading off 2017 World Series Game 1 with a HR
i know Conforto is in a rut and think he will be given time to come around, but…..
his ability to hit grounders to 2B is both infuriating and impressive
If we could stomach Outman the Dodgers best defense could be
C. Smith
1b. Freeman
2b. Edman
3b. Freeland
SS. Betts
LF. Hernandez
CF. Outman
RF. Pages
Well the pitching is rightfully getting a good going over here. Our pitchers are either hurt or shitty. This is a good opportunity for guys like Knack to step up and earn a spot. He isn’t good enough.
But until the injured pitchers get back I’d like to see Casparius, Frasso, Wrobleski, Feyereisen and even Miller get a chance to prove themselves and help the club. They can’t be any worse.
Scott has given things a lot of consideration and has a lot good ideas. Injuries alone don’t explain such poor performances.
Now that we have gotten in a position defensively to settle into a more predictable lineup, I hope Doc doesn’t again fall into his lineup du jour mode with a different lineup every day. He seems to love moving guys around like chess pieces.
Second base has been a revolving door for years. Last night I would have switched Kim and Edmon. On a regular basis, I can see Edmon in Center and Kim at 2nd and not the other way around. I have no stats to support that; just my eyes. Kike can move around and give guys days off at multiple positions but let’s settle into a regular lineup for awhile with Freddie, Kim, Mookie, Muncy, and the outfield with Teo, Pages and Edman. Conforto would do more sitting with Teo back, for my money. Pages seems well suited to right so maybe Teo helps us more in left with Edmon left alone in Center.
The Dodgers need some healthy pitching right now. Not at the trade deadline, but right now. This BP is already feeling the effects of the awful starting pitching and it’s only May.
I agree with Scott in that something needs to change with the pitching philosophy the team (and most of baseball) is using. I think these younger GMs sit around and try to come up with ways to get a slight edge. They had no concern how it could affect fan interest.
On offense the result was the three true outcome and the complete disregard for the unproductive strikeout. Fortunately, MLB made some rule changes to help add more action for the fans and shorten the game time.
Now it looks like the walk is not a concern. You can’t defend a walk. No matter what the count don’t throw a hittable strike because nothing good can happen when the hitter puts a ball in play. Don’t trust the defense. WTF? Another attempt to make the game less interesting to watch in order to accomplish the front office’s hair brained idea to not allow a hitter to put a pitch in play. “Oh my goodness, we can’t expose our defense to actually play defense.” A strikeout or walk is the objective. Well, it’s a two true outcome when it comes to pitching.
Teach the pitchers to be pitchers, not robots that need an overhaul (TJ surgery) every 2-3 years. With an unlimited number of humans that can throw a baseball hard these days I guess the front offices figure that it’s best to use them and burn them. As a fan it is disheartening not to have a opportunity to have a favorite pitcher that you can follow and cheer for several years. With the Dodgers it seems a fan has a few games, not a few years, before that player is on the IL or having TJ surgery. Kershaw may be the final long term pitcher a Dodger fan can follow. And even he has been limited over the recent several seasons.
Just leave well enough alone. Let the players play the game without all the nerds coming up with ways to ruin the fan experience.
Oh, and get off may lawn!!
Sorry, but not sorry, for the rant.
Carry on.
If LA is going to make a trade, the team’s most likely dealing at the deadline will be the bottom feeders. Bradley suggested that the Dodgers go after Jack Flaherty again, but the Tigers are a contender right now and do not seem like a team that is going to unload players, rather they might add on. They have a better record than the Dodgers do. LA has had four chances at winning #30 and lost all of them. So, who are the bottom feeders? Colorado in the NL West, unlikely trade partner since they will not want to help a division rival and no major trade has been made between LA and the Rockies for years. Miami and DC in the East. LA has made some deals with both, especially the Nats. Starter wise, they are not going to trade Gore who is their best right now. None of the others are an upgrade. Finnegan is the only reliever who might draw a lot of interest, 14 saves in 16 chances.
They won’t be trading any of their good young players unless they get a lot back. And neither of their third basemen would merit LA trading for them. Miami’s starters are even less desirable than the Nats. It would be the Pirates in the central. LA has been linked to Kiner-Falefa, but he is just Taylor with a better BA. Their best starter is Skenes, but he isn’t going anywhere. Second best is Andrew Heaney. So, we are just going to have to ride this out and see what AF and Gomes have up their sleeves.
Quiz: Who is the only pitcher to hit 3 home runs in a game?
To all:
I understand your frustration.
I don’t dispute your urge to vent. It usually makes one feel better.
Just want to say I’m not at all concerned. We seem to go through this or something similar every year and always come out of it.
This year may prove to be the exception, but until that happens, I’m just going to see how it all plays out and assume that we’ll make the playoffs and quite possibly win our second consecutive WS.
White Sox signed SP Adrian Houser and DFAd Yoendrys Gomez.
On paper, LA should have the advantage with Yoshi on the mound tonight. Nelson has an ERA above 5. But that has not worked out too well for LA lately.
Old favorite Walker Buehler returned from the IL tonight to pitch against the Mets.
Managed to get himself tossed in the third inning for arguing a ball/strike call.
Gotta love him.
By the way, he was right, the ump blew the call.
Walker Buehler, Alex Cora ejected vs. Mets
Great, great outing by Yamamoto–probably his best as a Dodger. Six no-hit innings. He’s the ace.
Hoping that Snell, Glasnow and especially Shohei make it four aces.
Not so great outing by Tanner Scott…
The way things have been going lately, I was not optimistic after the Dbacks took the lead in the 10th. But the Dodgers came back thanks to Edman’s double, TWO intentional walks (to Shohei and Freddie), Smith’s HBP and Max delivering the walk-off sac fly. With all the abuse Max takes from fans, I love it when he comes through in the clutch.