5 teams most likely to steal Chris Taylor from the Dodgers

4. Minnesota Twins

Chris Taylor has former teammates in Kenta Maeda and Kyle Garlick on the Minnesota Twins and that could help bridge the gap between LA and Minnesota. In fact, you’re going to see a trend in this article where the rest of the teams remaining roster at least one former teammate of Taylor’s.

That wasn’t completely intentional — the Dodgers just have plenty of former players scattered throughout the league. It’s hard to really narrow it down.

The Twins are coming off a very disappointing 2021 season, but it doesn’t take much to convince themselves that they can contend once more with the right additions, especially in a (largely) weak AL Central. Bryon Buxton was playing  out of his mind before injuries ended his season, so it’s not like Minnesota doesn’t have a star to build around.

The pitching staff is going to need some work, but the Twins have some highly-touted young arms that are either already with the big-league club or will be soon arriving to help fill out a talented rotation.

The Twins can easily make room for Taylor in the everyday starting lineup as well. With Josh Donaldson likely transitioning to DH, Taylor can start at third base with Royce Lewis at shortstop and Jorge Polanco at second.

Against right-handed pitching, the Twins can get Luis Arraez into the lineup and have Taylor play left field, which is a big area of weakness for them.

3. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays were another team that we tabbed as a potential threat to sign away Seager and they should be considered a suitor for Taylor as well. The logic is the same for the Blue Jays with both signings: they would be Marcus Semien replacements in some capacity.

However, Taylor seems to make more sense than Seager when it comes to being a Semien replacement. Seager would have to play third base for that to work in Toronto, and while he would add lineup balance as a left-handed hitter, he’s probably going to cost a lot more than Semien.

If the Blue Jays are going to pay that much for Seager then they are probably going to prioritize bringing Semien back first. Of course, Semien could decide to leave on his own, but it’s more likely that he gets priced out of Toronto and the Blue Jays opt for a cheaper alternative.

Taylor would be just that and would fit in seamlessly at second base. The Blue Jays could keep Cavan Biggio at third base and have Taylor be the full-time second baseman while also providing the ability to go play in the outfield if need be.

Taylor isn’t Semien, but when we are talking about consolation prizes that aren’t as expensive, he’s probably the best option for Toronto.

And as far as former teammates are concerned, Taylor is familiar with Hyun-Jin Ryu, Ross Stripling and Breyvic Valera (remember him?).

2. Boston Red Sox

Talk about a team that has ties to the Dodgers. The Boston Red Sox are employing two former Dodgers in their lineup in Enrique Hernandez and Alex Verdugo in addition to right-hander, Nathan Eovaldi (who was on the Dodgers long before Taylor).

The Red Sox have reportedly already shown interest in Taylor this offseason and it would be frustrating as a fan to see yet another utility player head to Boston to get more money and playing time.

Hernandez had the best season of his career with the Red Sox in 2021, proving right the theory that he’s a valuable bat if he just gets consistent playing time and isn’t concerned about his role.

As for Taylor, he’d probably be utilized in Boston exactly how he’s been in LA.

Hernandez ended up playing mostly center field for the Red Sox last season and Taylor could be the team’s first option in the corner outfield spots if either Verdugo or Hunter Renfroe get hurt. Renfroe also isn’t the most consistent hitter, so we could see Taylor getting starts in the outfield sporadically just for that reason.

Taylor would also fill in at second base, which is currently manned by Christian Arroyo, who is not exactly an MLB-caliber starter. Between injuries, nights off and cold hitters, Taylor will get plenty of time with the Red Sox just like he has with the Dodgers.

However, because there’s not a bonafide role for him etched out like some of the other teams, it’s hard to consider the Red Sox as the no. 1 option.

1. Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox should be considered World Series contenders even if they had a disappointing showing this past October. Chicago has made the postseason two years in a row but still doesn’t have a series win to show for it. They’re hungry to change that narrative.

They are as good as anyone in the American League and if there was a time to go all in, it’s now. That being said, the White Sox do not have pockets as deep as the Dodgers or Yankees, so they’re going to have to go for the second tier of free agents like Taylor.

The White Sox traded Nick Madrigal to the Chicago Cubs last season in the Craig Kimbrel deal and opened up a spot at second base. The team does not really have a true second baseman on the roster, opening the door for Taylor to start full time there.

There’s also a bit of a depth issue in the outfield, which is where Taylor can easily fill an important role. If the White Sox find someone to help at second or call someone up, Taylor can still help in the corner outfield spots on a day-to-day basis and take over at short or third if needed.

Even if Carlos Rodon leaves the team, the White Sox still have a solid pitching staff, a good bullpen and a potent lineup. Adding a bat like Taylor would make their offense even more dangerous.

When it comes to former teammates, Taylor is familiar with Yasmani Grandal. The connections never stop!

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