Dodgers flex power by scoffing at Chris Taylor's remaining salary after DFA

Shortly after designating Austin Barnes for assignment, the Los Angeles Dodgers made yet another shocking move by cutting Chris Taylor loose.

The team cut its two longest tenured players within days of each other, and their replacements have performed quite well — top catching prospect Dalton Rushing has four hits in his first three big league games and Tommy Edman has been one of the team's most valuable players. But the Dodgers aren't free from Barnes and Taylor just yet.

Taylor signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Dodgers in 2021, of which 2025 is the final season. Even though LA DFA'd Taylor, it still owes him the remainder of the money left on his contract — but the sizable amount is dwarfed by the Dodgers' MLB-leading payroll.

The Dodgers organization owes Taylor $13,435,484, according to Associated Press. That payday includes $9,435,484 left over from his $13 million expected salary from the 2025 season and a $4 million buyout of the club option on the deal for 2026.

Chris Taylor Contract: Here's what Dodgers owe former All-Star

It's a tough decision for LA to forfeit all that money, but it's better off with an additional roster spot to make the best use of top prospects and depth. Taylor slashed just .200/.200/.257 in 35 at-bats over 28 games, and his play has been suffering for years now. Injuries have affected him in many ways and he hasn't been able to catch up. DFAing Taylor also means that streaking rookie Hyeseong Kim (.452/.485/.581) can stay in the big leagues even after Teoscar Hernández was activated from the injured list. The goal is to field the best roster, and the Dodgers are doing that without caring about the cost.

Taylor will be 35 in August, and the Dodgers have multiple younger, better (at least, this year) candidates for outfield spots, including Edman, Rushing, Hernández, Mookie Betts, Kiké Hernández, and Andy Pages. Not to mention, they're kind of stuck with Michael Conforto.

Taylor had been a Dodger since 2016 and his tenure with the team includes two World Series championships. LA fans will remember Taylor by his All-Star season in 2021 and his clutch moments in the postseason, of which there are many. But the $13,435,484 the Dodgers owe him is a drop in the bucket in their quest to defend their World Series title — a luxury so many other organizations wish they had.