The Los Angeles Dodgers spent more than $1 billion last offseason to put together a star-studded roster to compete for a World Series. While the acquisitions and contracts of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow have looked to pay off, the Dodgers payroll is not exempt from having a bad contract.
While listing each team's worst "Bang-For-Your-Buck Player" this season, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter named Chris Taylor for the Dodgers. Taylor signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Dodgers following an All-Star 2021 season.
"The 34-year-old continued to be a useful piece of the puzzle in 2022 and 2023, providing his usual mix of power, speed, and defensive versatility for a playoff contender, but his production has fallen off a cliff this season," wrote Reuter.
In the first two seasons of his new deal, Taylor slashed .228/.314/.395 in 235 games. However, in 2024 he is hitting .177 and has played in just 73 games. Taylor has a minus-0.7 WAR this season as well. His minus-.02 offensive WAR is the second worst on the team behind James Outman.
"He is still owed $13 million next season, along with a $4 million buyout on a $12 million club option for 2026," wrote Reuter.
Taylor's career as a Dodgers has been highlighted by postseason heroics and production. He was the 2017 National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player. However, with his current level of play, it is hard to imagine him getting many opportunities to play when October rolls around.
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