Dodgers: Why Chris Taylor May Be LA’s Most Valuable Player in 2021
There is no shortage of star power on the Los Angeles Dodgers. From Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger to Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, this team is absolutely loaded. Yet it may be Chris Taylor, and not one of their stars, that may prove to be the most important player for LA next season.
Taylor has been a jack of all trades during his time with the Dodgers, a true utility man. He has played every position aside from first base and catcher, and he’s been above average at all of them. If not for the incredible depth that this team has, he could start every single day at any one of these positions.
Obviously Taylor won’t be the biggest producer on offense. He won’t lead the team in home runs or RBI. No one is expecting him to carry the team in any way, so what exactly do we mean by most valuable? In what might be a full 162-game season with COVID protocols, Chris Taylor could prove to be a pivotal piece of the Dodgers roster.
The Dodgers were fortunate enough to avoid any serious time lost from players testing positive in 2020, but they did have a few players report late to Spring Training due to having the virus. To top it off, their starting third baseman had to exit the final game of the World Series due to a positive test that came back mid-game.
Related: Justin Turner Issues Statement Regarding World Series Actions
All of this is to say that teams might need to rely on their depth this coming season, and no team has more depth than the reigning champs. Even with the looming departures of Kiké Hernández and Joc Pederson among others, the Dodgers are still well-positioned for the long road ahead.
Chris Taylor has the versatility to play every position on the diamond of need be, and he’ll have his fair share of opportunities to prove it. The hope, obviously, is that everyone makes it through the season with good health, but it would be foolish to think that the possibility of some positive tests doesn’t exist.
Should the Dodgers need a temporary replacement at any given position next season, Taylor is the first man up. Don’t think that he’ll be relegated to just a bench role, either. CT3 is more than capable of being a staple in the starting lineup on a regular basis, especially if the team doesn’t make a move to bring in another right-handed bat. His 50 hits in a shortened 2020 were good for 5th best on the team and ahead of players like Justin Turner, Will Smith, and Max Muncy.
Yes, Mookie Betts will most likely lead the Dodgers on their quest to repeat in 2021, but don’t underestimate the importance of Chris Taylor in what could be yet another pandemic season.
NEXT: Is There A 4-Year Deal Out There for Justin Turner?
It’s funny to me that the “Heart & Soul” of the Dodgers is/was Justin Turner who was DFA’d by the Mets, the “Cleanup Slugger” Muncy was DFA’d by the A’s, and now the “MVP” is Taylor who was about to be DFA’d by the Mariners before the Dodgers unloaded a first round pitcher who never developed in a trade.
So much for all these “experts” that rate the minor leaugers…
CT3 will make an Impact! Give him some help from the right side of the plate, Andrew needs to trade or purchase a Big right handed BAT!
Exactly. At the moment that’s the missing ingredient on this roster. Remember that should both JT and Hernandez leave via FA and sign elsewhere., that would make Dodgers short of capable RHB to combat the many LHP this lineup may see in 2021.
Taylor is one of those all purpose guys every team needs, but few have. Without Hernandez,.Taylor is even more critical to the Dodgers success. He also upped his offensive game last season with a 270 BA and 842 OPS. He is more than capable of playing 2B everyday. Taylor is the only reason that I would question the need for another RHB. But I still think we need one.
Signing Treinen (Great) and hopefully Turner just makes our boys the same great team as they were last year. But our foes to the south have become significantly better. Means in addition to signing Turner, we need another strong contact hitter in the lineup ala LeMayhoo. Problem is LeMayhoo is probably playing LA to get the best deal he can in pinstripes. We need a fall back plan.
If Lemahieu signs with the Yankees, fall back plans could be trade for Kris Bryant or Eugenio Suarez or Francisco Lindor (Seager to 3rd). Pretty sure Friedman has a pecking order. I kind of like the idea of an expanded trade which might get us Lindor and Carasco or Suarez and Luis Castillo. That would be Friedman’s style.
Some of you folks should stick with fantasy ball, because you spend others peoples money that simply does not exist.
I like Suarez as he is under a long term contract. It depends what assets they would need to give up for him. He is a good defender and a good hitter with good splits.