Dodgers News: Chris Taylor to Play Some Third Base in ’21, Can He Be The Impact Righty Bat LA Needs?
With the Dodgers Spring Training off and running, we dive into some of the latest storylines coming out of Camelback Ranch. Dodgers’ super-utility man Chris Taylor made his presence felt all over the diamond last season. CT3 logged innings at second base, shortstop, left field, and center field, but it looks like he’s going to see some action at third base this season.
On Wednesday, Dave Roberts told reporters that he intends to use Chris Taylor at the hot corner this year. We discuss the possibility of Taylor playing third base this season and if he can fill the void as a much-needed impact right-handed bat.
Plus, why CT3 is primed to have his best year yet, who’s going to fill Kiké Hernández’s role, and can Justin Turner still be the Dodgers’ everyday third baseman?
WATCH
Word of the Day Giveaway!
Every day, the Dodgers Nation YouTube channel will be releasing a video with a new word of the day shown somewhere in the video. Find out more on how to win!
Dodgers Nation Word of the Day Giving Away $1,000+ in Cash and Prizes
SUBSCRIBE
PLEASE subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you hear your podcasts!
 |
Subscribe on iTunes |
 |
Listen on Spotify |
 |
Listen on iHeartRadio |
 |
Watch on YouTube |
Join your DNpostgame host Doug McKain while we break down all the latest with your LA Dodgers. We use our 800,000 fans from Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook to gain insight into what the fans are thinking and do our best to represent all perspectives in the Dodgers Community!
NEXT: Corey Seager Not Thinking About Contract Status, Extension, or Free Agency
Taylor is a great UT guy–but he will be spending more time at 2B if Lux can’t get his act together.
Mostly this report has me hoping that Oakland struggles this season and Billy Bean decides to put Matt Chapman on the market. Bean and Friedman have worked a few deals, most recently the Kolarek deal–and in the past the bigger deal for Rich Hill and Reddick.
On defense, Chapman would turn a weak position into Gold Glove strength, enabling Turner to move a 1B/DH role (with perhap Muncy sliding over to second.) On offense, Chapman be another middle-order power threat.
So… what would it take to get him? Bean would rightfully expect young, controllable, MLB-ready and MLB-near talent.
Gonsolin + Rios + White and a prospect? Perhaps Bean would toss back another.
Part of my thinking is that Gonsolin, Rios and Mitch White deserve greater opportunity than the Dodgers are providing them. (Same goes for Keibert Ruiz.) Signing Bauer kind of shafted Gonsolin and May–and between those two I’d rather see what May can do.
I suspect Turner would also improve 1B defense over Muncy.
Looking longer into the future, perhaps Cory Seager is destined to move from SS to 1B, just like the great Ernie Banks did. No shame in that.