Sixty million dollars buys a lot of things, but apparently, not excitement. The Dodgers’ gamble on Chris Taylor‘s versatility is facing a brutal reality check, where “depth piece” might be the kindest description.

“If you’re looking for a pinch hitter, the name Chris Taylor coming off the bench right now doesn’t excite you very much,” MLB insider Doug Mckain mentioned. Not the best sign for a guy who just got a four-year contract.

So why this halfhearted response? The answer: Flexibility.

He’s a jack-of-all-trades. But in an era of specialization, that very positional versatility may be his disadvantage. “He’s a depth piece,” the insider said, “If someone goes down with an injury, then Chris Taylor certainly has value.” In other words, he’s an insurance policy, not a game-changer.

Now think about the financial side of the matter. The Dodgers are not exactly hurting for cash. But $60 million for a utility player, even for them, seems excessive.

“They still owe him $13 million,” Mckain pointed out, referring to the debt still owed on Taylor’s old contract. “Now, for a team that’s going to spend $500 million on the roster, that means pennies. It’s a drop in the bucket for them, but they don’t have to do that. They do not have to.” That’s the important thing.

Even the rich Dodgers have to play by the rules of responsible spending. And with a team already filled with expensive stars, does it make sense to spend more on Taylor? And does Taylor even deserve a roster spot? With young prospects like Andy Pages and James Outman, the Dodgers face some dilemmas when making decisions.

“They need everyday at-bats. Chris Taylor does not need everyday at-bats. He understands his role – a couple of at-bats every now and then. He’s a depth piece. He’s fine with that,” Doug Mckain explained.

But is that what the Dodgers want? An experienced player who’s happy riding the bench? Or a good, young player who can do it consistently? The insider concluded, “I think that even the biggest Chris Taylor fans, I don’t think would say yes, because other guys deserve opportunities.”

Splits and struggles: Examining Taylor’s inconsistency

Taylor batted a pitiful .218 against lefties in 2024, compared to .273 versus righties. And defensively? He wasn’t exactly a Gold Glover there, with -5 defensive runs saved in center last year. In a league obsessed with specialization, Taylor’s “jack-of-all-trades” approach might be his Achilles’ heel.

Chris Taylor started only 68 games last season, fewer than half the Dodgers’ total. And guess what? He could play limitedly, hitting a pathetic .235 in those starts. If you don’t play regularly, it’s hard to stay focused. And when you have a big contract and expectations to live up to, it’s even harder. The Dodgers may be counting on Taylor’s versatility, but they may also be misjudging the mental impact of being on the bench.

Let’s compare Taylor’s contract to other utility guys around the league. Consider Kiké Hernández. He got the same deal from the Red Sox – 2 years, $14 million. That’s less than half of what Taylor gets. And his numbers? A .242 career hitter with an ability to play all over the field.

Josh Harrison – a veteran who plays infield and outfield. He accepted a one-year, $2 million contract with the White Sox. Even though he’s not as explosive as Taylor, he’s steady, and he’s one-fourth the price. 

However, before completely writing off Taylor, let’s not forget credit where credit is due. He’s a big-game player, a postseason guy. Remember that tying Homer in the 2021 NLCS to the Braves? Or those key RBIs in the World Series? He’s worth it for those moments. And his willingness to play defense makes him every manager’s dream.

He can play second base, shortstop, center field, left field, and where not! In 2022, he played more than 200 innings at four positions, giving the Dodgers depth and enabling them to spell their starters without losing defense. So he may not be an everyday superstar, but he’s a valuable asset, a glue guy who does a lot of things that might not always show up in the box score.

Now, it’s just a matter of time to see if his postseason heroics justify the investment.