Chris Taylor’s recent DFA from the Dodgers has stirred quite the discussion among fans, but his story is far from over. Despite a tough season marked by a .200 average in just 35 at-bats, the versatile Taylor could find himself lacing up his cleats in a different city soon. The Dodgers remain on the hook for his $15 million salary, making the prospect of signing him for the league minimum an intriguing option for some teams.

While Taylor could land with any team looking for depth, there’s been unexpected chatter about him possibly joining the Padres. According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Taylor is a potential candidate to fill the Padres’ left-field void.

San Diego’s offense has been struggling, with a recent four-game losing streak and a paltry three runs to their name. Understandably, the mere suggestion of Taylor donning a Padres uniform stirs up a cocktail of emotions for Dodgers fans.

From one perspective, Taylor’s lackluster performance suggests he might not be the remedy for the Padres’ offensive woes. On the flip side, seeing a longtime Dodger make the hop to a heated rival could be a tough pill for fans to swallow, especially one whose tenure in LA spanned nearly a decade.

Adding to the Padres’ conundrum is Jason Heyward, signed after a brief Astros tenure following his own DFA by the Dodgers back in 2024. Currently hitting .184 with a .517 OPS over 31 games, Heyward hasn’t exactly been a spark plug for the offense. Swapping Heyward for Taylor might feel like swapping one struggle for another, but it’s a curious scenario Dodgers fans can’t help but ponder.

While the prospect of Taylor heading to San Diego may seem far-fetched, it’s an intriguing idea that has divided Dodgers loyalists. Some would revel in the baffling decision-making of a division rival, others might cringe at the possibility of Taylor finding renewed success in enemy territory. Whatever unfolds, Taylor’s next move is sure to capture the attention and imaginations of MLB fans on both sides of this age-old rivalry.