Details of Chris Taylor’s contract prove Dodgers got a steal

It was getting scary for a moment there. The losses of Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, and even Corey Knebel had Los Angeles Dodgers fans on high alert. The lockout was looming. Andrew Friedman and the front office had only made two additions: Andrew Heaney and Daniel Hudson.

There were still a number of Dodgers legends floating in free agency and the team luckily locked up arguably the most important one. Chris Taylor re-signed late Wednesday evening on a four-year, $60 million contract that could be as long as five years and worth up to $73 million.

Woah, wait … what? Chris Taylor? Signed for that cheap? Wasn’t there supposed to be a ton of competition on the market? Weren’t the Phillies, Nationals, Angels, Blue Jays and Mariners all involved in the bidding?

Turns out, Taylor never wanted to leave Los Angeles and he worked out a deal with the Dodgers that was favorable for both sides.

Chris Taylor’s contract is an absolute steal for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here’s the breakdown, per the Associated Press:

• 2022: $15 million
• 2023: $15 million
• 2024: $13 million
• 2025: $13 million
• 2026: $12 million club option ($4 million buyout)

If his option is picked up, then we’re looking at a five-year, $68 million deal, which carries a respectable AAV of $13.6 million. We’re assuming that extra $5 million (per Rosenthal’s report of the total value) includes incentives for a number of things, such as All-Star Game appearances, playoff series MVPs, etc.

Nonetheless, this goes to show Taylor values his fit with the organization that gave him new life and put him in a position to succeed and eventually cash out in this fashion. Do you think his career trajectory would’ve been the same with the Seattle Mariners? Never say never, but we’d bet “no.” The Dodgers making that trade years ago has worked out incredibly well for both parties. And this is the perfect example of that mutual respect paying dividends at the negotiating table.

If we’re being honest, too, Taylor’s return — especially at this price, which helps the Dodgers maintain financial flexibility — was arguably more important than that of Seager’s or Scherzer’s. The team properly prepared for Seager’s exit by acquiring Trea Turner. There will always be top of the line rotation help cheaper than $43 million per season, which is what Scherzer received from the Mets. Don’t count out the Dodgers striking gold on the trade market after the lockout.

There aren’t many superutility players of Taylor’s caliber making $15 million or less per season. The value he brings is multi-pronged and the Dodgers can maintain their strategy of shifting guys around and maximizing at-bats elsewhere thanks to his return. The fact it’s a “steal” makes it all the more satisfying.

Dodgers drop fans ray of sunshine with Chris Taylor deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the verge of bringing back super-utility man Chris Taylor, which has become all the more important recently.