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The weakest link on the Dodgers' power-packed 2025 roster is undoubtedly Chris Taylor. Taylor, an All-Star in 2021 who earned himself a four-year, $60 million deal after that season, is basically an afterthought now as the Dodgers add talent that eclipses him to all corners of the roster, even the bench.
His numbers fell off pretty much immediately after he signed that new deal, and he's batted .222 with a .684 OPS over the last three years. In 2024, he barely got his average over the Mendoza Line on the last day of the season, when he went 1-2 with a walk against the Rockies.
2025 is Taylor's last guaranteed year with the Dodgers, who hold a club option for 2026 worth $12 million that they definitely shouldn't exercise if this season goes the same way.
The question is why the Dodgers have continued to stand by him, when the $13 million he's going to make this year is basically nothing to the Dodgers. On the "Dodgers Dawgs" podcast, statistician Austin Brubaker speculated that it might have something to do with Taylor's MLB pension, which kicks in when he reaches the 10-year mark this season.
On last night's show, @AustinBru99 went into detail on what might be happening with Chris Taylor, and it makes total sense to me.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) February 1, 2025
Taylor is due to hit the 10-year service mark this year, which is significant as it applies to the MLB pension. The Dodgers have a history of keeping… pic.twitter.com/KrL8lZCIyJ
Dodgers might be trying to drag Chris Taylor to the 10-year mark to get him MLB pension
Brubaker referred to the Dodgers' history of keeping veterans on to accrue service time necessary to meet pension benchmarks; they even did it last year for Nick Ahmed, who hardly had the same history with the organization as Taylor does. Apart from Taylor's past contributions to the club, Brubaker argued that it's good for the Dodgers' image as a destination for free agents. Not only are they in the best position to win the World Series in 2025 and beyond, they also take care of veterans.
This would make sense, and if it's the case it's a good thing for the Dodgers to do. However, it still means that the Dodgers will have to play Taylor with no guarantees that he's going to be any better this season when he's been on a clear decline since 2021.
The Dodgers could easily upgrade from Taylor if they wanted to, and he still could get pushed if they re-sign Kiké Hernández, as it seems unlikely that they would sacrifice another bullpen arm. If he survives through the rest of the season on the roster, though, at least fans might understand why.