Dodgers’ Chris Taylor Spirals Further: Is LA’s $60 Million Man Now Baseball’s Biggest Offensive Liability?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a growing crisis at shortstop as Chris Taylor’s offensive decline accelerates, igniting fierce debate among fans and analysts about his future in LA. Once a postseason hero and a model of versatility, Taylor has now become the glaring weak link on a roster built to win championships.

The Numbers Behind the Collapse

Taylor’s offensive numbers in 2025 are nothing short of disastrous. He’s hitting a career-worst .071, ranking among the very worst hitters in all of Major League Baseball, and his strikeout rate has soared to alarming levels2. His -0.7 WAR is a shocking statistic for a veteran who was once considered a core piece of the Dodgers’ powerhouse lineup2. Over the last three seasons, Taylor has batted just .222 with a .684 OPS and a 32.9% strikeout rate, a far cry from his All-Star peak in 202157.

Lost at the Plate, Lost in the Lineup

Despite an offseason spent trying to rediscover his swing, Taylor now looks more lost than ever. Mechanical tweaks and mental resets have failed to stop the bleeding, and his once-dangerous bat is now a liability every time he steps to the plate2. Manager Dave Roberts has been forced to slash Taylor’s playing time, relegating him to a bench role and leaving his future with the team in doubt21. With Jason Heyward’s return looming, Taylor’s roster spot is under direct threat2.

Contract, Roster Crunch, and Fan Backlash

Taylor is in the final guaranteed year of his four-year, $60 million deal-a contract that has turned into a rare misfire for the Dodgers’ front office15. The team owes him $13 million this year, and there’s speculation that his continued presence is more about service time and sunk cost than actual value on the field5. Fans, once enamored with Taylor’s clutch moments, are now calling for his exit, and even the Dodgers’ own official blog can’t convince the faithful that a turnaround is coming5.

The End of an Era?

With new stars and utility players outperforming him, Taylor’s days as a Dodger starter are clearly over5. The team is reportedly exploring trade options, and if his numbers don’t improve, a DFA or demotion could be next278. For a player who once defined “next man up” in LA, the fall from grace is as dramatic as it is painful.