MLB insider ponders marquee Dodgers replacement for Chris Taylor

The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again positioned to be big spenders this offseason, as a team that could lose players like Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, and Chris Taylor might need to splurge to remain at the top of the division. As unthinkable as it sounds, could Kris Bryant make his way down to LA?

After an MVP season during his nearly decade-long reign in Chicago, Bryant was traded from the Cubs to the rival San Francisco Giants to give Gabe Kapler some offensive punch before the postseason. While they didn’t win a postseason series, Bryant continued to rake.

After a horrid 2020, Bryant got back to being his All-Star self last year. He hit .265 while crushing 32 doubles, hitting 25 home runs, and driving in 73 runs. When paired with some solid defense at multiple positions, Bryant is understandably one of the hottest free agent names out there.

Andy McCullough of The Athletic (subscription required) hinted that bringing Taylor back may not be a likely scenario, hinting that either overspending for Bryant or trading for someone cheaper than either of them. With teams like the Phillies making a run for Bryant, Los Angeles will have plenty of competition.

Will Kris Bryant come to the Los Angeles Dodgers?

Where Taylor provides more value than Bryant, even if you exclude the financial aspects, is how he handles himself defensively. While Taylor can play pretty much any position, Bryant won’t be able to play in the middle of the infield. If Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman can stomach that, they could put together an offer that entices Bryant.

The Dodgers are always going to be in the market for more power on the corners, and Bryant could provide his usual brand of thunder while helping out all over the place defensively. Justin Turner isn’t getting any younger, meaning that Bryant may just end up getting tagged as the third baseman of the future.

Bryant might not be hitting like a former MVP, but he proved in San Francisco that he can still crush NL West pitching and record clutch hits for a team with championship aspirations. Bryant could slide right into the top of the Dodgers’ lineup and continue to rake if Friedman’s pockets are deep enough.

The Dodgers might not have room for both Taylor and Bryant on this roster, meaning that LA has to decide to go with a fan favorite and known quantity in No. 3 or bring in the former Cubs sensation and figure out his best positional fit at a later date. Making the wrong move in this situation could drastically impact the win-loss record.

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