The Los Angeles Dodgers let go of their two longest-tenured position players in the span of a week in Chris Taylor and Austin Barnes.
Taylor, a two-time World Series Champion and 2017 NL Championship Series co-MVP, was released by the Dodgers Sunday in a move that shocked the Dodgers fanbase. Once the Dodgers designated Austin Barnes for assignment last Wednesday, there were certainly rumblings about the departure of other veterans on the roster.
This season, Taylor was slashing .200/.200/.257 with two runs batted in and an OPS of .457 across 28 games. The 2025 campaign was Taylor’s 10th season with the Dodgers.
While the Dodgers had used Taylor sparingly this season, he had played an immense role in the organization for the last decade.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman admitted the decision to part ways with a longtime player like Taylor was difficult, but he hopes the utility man returns to the ballclub in a different capacity.
“He is the consummate pro, the way he did a trust fall when he got here,” Friedman said. “He came in hungry and wanting to get better, and dove in with our hitting guys, with our position coaches. …
“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around. Whenever he’s done playing four, five, six years from now, I hope he’s always connected to the Dodgers.”
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