Dodgers’ Chris Taylor Feels ‘As Close to 100 Percent as I’ve Been in a While’
While the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason spending spree has made headlines, four players aren’t enough to make a champion. The Dodgers came into the offseason with a deep 40-man roster and so it is today. That depth has been their bread and butter for a decade, and has translated to enormous regular season success over the last decade.
One of the Dodgers’ most important depth players during that time has been utility player Chris Taylor. Since he was acquired in a 2016 trade, the 33-year-old has emerged from anonymity to enjoy great success. Essentially a throw-away player in the Seattle Mariners’ organization, Taylor has carved out a solid career in Los Angeles.
While his role has diminished over the last year or so, Taylor still provides value. His ability to play both the outfield and the infield gives manager Dave Roberts plenty of flexibility when building out a lineup.
Taylor recently spoke with SportsNet LA about his offseason, saying that he is as healthy as he has been in a long time.
“I feel really good. I feel strong. I’ve been, you know, pretty much from the moment we lost (to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS) I was able to get in the weight room right away. Took care of a few nagging things with my knees. I’ve been working with the strength coaches and training staff at Dodger Stadium to try to get that behind me. I think I’m getting at a point in my career where there’s always going to be little things that pop up. It’s just trying to stay ahead of it and manage it. That’s just part of the game, I think. I feel good and healthy, and as close to 100 percent as I’ve been in a while.”
Dodgers utility player Chris Taylor
Health is always an important factor in a season, as the Dodgers found out the hard way last year. All five pitchers in their Opening Day rotation spent time on the injured list. Four spent most of the season on IL, and the fifth (Clayton Kershaw) was greatly diminished in October by his left shoulder ailment.
Against that backdrop, the Dodgers will welcome any news that a player is close to full strength.
Taylor appeared in 117 games last season, hitting .237 with 15 home runs and 56 runs batted in. Injuries limited his play, but so did the Dodgers’ usual platooning.
The 2023 All-Star break appeared to do wonders for Taylor at the plate. He slashed .206/.275/.455 before the break and .266/.371/.387 afterward.
Taylor has entered each season without a designated position since he became a Dodger. In 2024, he should be a key member of the team again. Taylor provides Roberts another right-handed bat who can plug in at almost any defensive position, something the Dodgers will need against tough left-handed pitchers.
Taylor could also be used to help ease shortstop Gavin Lux back into the mix after his torn ACL. The Dodgers’ primary shortstop last year, Miguel Rojas, is 34 and coming off an injury-plagued season of his own. Unlike Taylor, Rojas does not have nearly as strong a track record as a hitter.
Whatever Taylor’s role, the Dodgers will be wise to monitor his workload as his career advances.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Just stay healthy, ditch the hitch and make contact. Batting in bottom third of the lineup, cut down on the strikeouts and focus getting on base for the top of the order. Defensively, very solid everywhere as he can be trusted anytime. Good team player in the clubhouse that doesn’t cause any problems.
Valuable as a reserve, especially if anyone gets injured. He could get many at bats against left handers, platooning with Heyward or even Lux and even Muncy. Clutch hitter. Excellent on defense all over the field. Good base runner.
Ask him to be the emergency catcher.