Los Angeles Dodgers, Chris Taylor expected to reach deal, sources say

The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to reach a deal with versatile All-Star Chris Taylor as soon as Wednesday, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The 31-year-old Taylor earned his first All-Star selection with the Dodgers in 2001, hitting .254 with 20 home runs, 73 RBI and 13 steals. He saw the majority of his playing time as a center fielder and at second base, but he also saw action at the other outfield positions as well as shortstop and third base.

He had been offered a qualifying offer worth $18.4 million for one year following the season, but he turned it down to enter free agency.

Chris Taylor hits 3 home runs, leads Dodgers to huge NLCS Game 5 win over Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers, thanks to a wild night from Chris Taylor, aren’t done just yet.

The Dodgers, facing elimination in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, flew past the Atlanta Braves 11-2 behind three home runs from Taylor to keep their World Series hopes alive.

The Dodgers now trail the Braves 3-2 in the NLCS heading into Game 6 in Atlanta on Saturday night.

Taylor is just the 11th player in MLB history to have a three-homer game in the postseason, and the first since Kiké Hernández did so for the Dodgers in 2017 against the Chicago Cubs.

“It’s just a cool night, definitely surreal,” Taylor said on SportsNet. “The biggest thing was that we were able to get the win and answer, and now we get to go to Atlanta which is what we wanted to do. For me I’m feeling good up there and not thinking too much, which is good.”

three homers in an LCS game:

Bob Robertson, PIT 1971
George Brett, KC 1978
Adam Kennedy, ANA 2002
Kiké Hernandez, LA 2017
Chris Taylor, LA 2021

— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) October 22, 2021