Dodgers DFA $60 Million All-Star in Shocking Move

Gabe Smallson | May 18, 2025

Mar 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor (3) reacts with teammates before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

After the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to have removed Chris Taylor's locker at Dodger Stadium, the team has now reportedly designated the veteran for assignment, per The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.

Taylor was in the midst of his 10th season with the team after first arriving in Los Angeles during the 2016 season.

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The Dodgers did indeed designate Chris Taylor for assignment, per source.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 18, 2025

Although the circumstances are different for the two veterans, this shocking move comes just days after the formerly longest-tenured Dodgers position player Austin Barnes was designated for assignment.

With Tommy Edman returning from his IL stint imminently, and the emergence of Hyeseong Kim after being called up from Triple-A earlier this month, the decision to DFA Taylor could not have been easy, but is necessary at this stage of the season.

Taylor has been batting .200 this season with just seven hits in 35 at-bats. Although this is far from his production of yesteryear, his impact to the team and in the clubhouse since 2016 is invaluable.

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Taylor was part of four Dodgers pennants during his tenure, two World Series championships, and an All-Star appearances in 2021.

The first Dodgers pennant Taylor was a part of — 2017— wasn't just the first secured by L.A. since 1988, but clinched largely by Taylor's NLCS MVP honors that season. That year was the utility star's first postseason experience, and the NLCS was just his second-career series in October.

After another pennant and more October heartbreak in 2018, the Dodgers returned to the World Series in 2020.

Taylor helped the Dodgers win that elusive ring with a home run, three RBIs, and five hits in 23 at-bats.

As he transitioned to more of a veteran leader and presece in the past few seasons, Taylor was still a part of the 2024 postseason roster, but saw less action that seasons before. He finished October with three hits and a stolen base in 13 at-bats to secure a second championship for his team.

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