Freelance MLB: Dodgers, Chris Taylor reach deal on four-year, $60 million contract, according to report

NS Los Angeles Dodgers and start the utility Chris Taylor about to reach an agreement on a new contract ahead of time Major League Baseball’s looming lockdown, by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal adds that the four-year, $60 million deal with the option for a fifth season would increase the total to $73 million.

Taylor is the first notable freelancer the Dodgers retain this winter, having previously given permission Corey Seager (Texas Rangers), Max Scherzer (New York Mets) and Corey Knebel (Philadelphia Phillies) to depart for greener pastures. Taylor, 31 years old, Entering Winter Rated by CBS Sports as 12th Best Free Dealer:

Perhaps this is too high a rating, but in our estimation, there is a perfect syzygy for Taylor to get paid. He has his own track record of being an above average hitter; he has a lot of flexible positions (at a time when teams are obsessing over such a thing); and he can outline the success Enrique Hernández had last season in Boston. Taylor fits into almost any team lineup, and so there’s even an opportunity for a few candidates to enter the bidding war to lure him away from Los Angeles. Again, this might be too high a rank for him; However, we will take our chances.

Taylor originally joined the Dodgers during the 2016 season as part of a then-small deal with Seattle Mariners swapped places for him and the pitcher Zach Lee. It wasn’t until the following season that he emerged as an important piece on the Dodgers’ roster. In five full seasons with Los Angeles, he clocked .265 / .343/.461 (114 OPS +) with 78 home runs. Collectively, his play as a Dodger has been estimated to be worth close to 15 Wins On Substitution, according to Baseball Reference calculations.

Longtime Dodger pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen Still a free agent.