Chris Tayloris getting squeezed out in theLos Angeles Dodgers' roster crunch. The 12-year veteran has been designated for assignment,according to reports. The move creates room on the Dodgers' active roster forTommy Edman, who will apparently be activated forSunday's gameversus theLos Angeles Angels. Edman, who has eight home runs and an .818 OPS this season, has been on the injured list since April 30 with an ankle injury. Moving Taylor off the roster also allows the Dodgers to avoid sendingHyeseong Kimback to the minors, rather than let him develop while playing major league games. Kim isn't starting regularly but in 14 appearances, he's compiled a .452/.485/.581 slash average with a home run, 5 RBI and 3 stolen bases. Taylor, 34, is the second longtime veteran designated for assignment this week by the Dodgers. Catcher Austin Barnes,the team's longest-tenured position player, was moved off the roster on Wednesday toclear a spot for top prospect Dalton Rushing. Taylor had the second-longest stay on the Dodgers' roster after Barnes. In 10 seasons with the Dodgers, Taylor tallied a .250/.330/.431 average but his true value came from his positional versatility. Taylor played all over the field, mostly at shortstop and center field but also left field, second base and third base. He was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a 2016 midseason trade for pitcher Zach Lee. Taylor-made ending.pic.twitter.com/sQviI5S0fr — MLB (@MLB)October 7, 2021 Most Dodgers fans would likely say Taylor's standout moment washis walkoff home runoff the St. Louis Cardinals' Alex Reyes to win the 2021 National League wild-card game. He alsoshared NLCS MVP honorsin 2021 with Justin Turner, hitting .316 with a 1.248 OPS and two home runs. In eight postseasons, he hit a collective .247 with a .792 OPS, 13 doubles, nine homers and 26 RBI. Taylor isstill owed $12.75 millionto finish outthe four-year, $60 million dealhe signed with the Dodgers before the 2022 season. (That total includes a $4 million buyout from the 2026 club option in the deal.) The team has one week to either trade Taylor or put him on waivers. If he clears waivers, Taylor could return to the Dodgers and report to the minors. But it's likely he'll opt for free agency.
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