Latest news with #NLCSMVP
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs Advised to Hang Onto Slumping Veteran Justin Turner
Cubs Advised to Hang Onto Slumping Veteran Justin Turner originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs haven't failed to impress this season. After lagging the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by 10 games last season, the Cubs are now dominating the NL Central. Advertisement But among their many productive players, there are also a few obvious laggards. One of which is veteran infielder Justin Turner. This year, Turner is hitting just .214/.310/.274 with one home run in 84 at-bats. He still draws walks at a high rate, but other than that, he hasn't been the productive bench piece the Cubs were looking for when they signed him to a one-year deal (with a mutual option for next year). At age 40, it isn't difficult to understand his struggles. Turner isn't the slugger he once was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Much has been made of trading Turner in recent weeks; however, one writer thinks this would be a bad idea. MLB analyst Kenneth Teape argues the Cubs will be hampering their team's future, writing this: Chicago Cubs first baseman Justin Turner (3) celebrates while running the bases after hitting a homer in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'Chicago would be making a huge mistake trading away Turner; he provides them with much more value than he would bring back in a trade, likely for a low-level prospect at best. A World Series champion and NLCS MVP, his presence means a lot for a team that is lacking playoff experience overall. He is an excellent mentor for the young players, especially someone such as Matt Shaw, to learn from.' Advertisement To Teape's point, Turner wouldn't bring much on the trade market, and his veteran presence would likely be more valuable than the player they receive in return. But there's an interesting counterpoint here as well. If the Cubs don't drop Turner, not only will they miss an opportunity to grab a prospect who will be with the club longer than he will, but it would also mean the Cubs can't replace him on the roster with a more productive option. Either way, there's a drawback and a benefit, but keeping Turner probably won't be a regrettable choice. Related: Cubs Expected to Aggressively Pursue Justin Steele Replacement Before Trade Deadline This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Beloved Ex-Dodgers Veteran Would Address Hated Rival's Outfield Woes After Brutal Decision
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers will make no apologies for pursuing another World Series championship at all costs. The team has embraced an "evil empire" moniker after consecutive offseasons of adding superstar players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell to a roster that already had Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. And as the team looks to return to the World Series this year, it hasn't spared its own underperforming veterans in the pursuit of roster upgrades. The Dodgers recently cut both Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor, its two longest-tenured position players, as they were failing to contribute significantly enough from the bench. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout during a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on June 01, 2021 in Los... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout during a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on June 01, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by)The decision to cut Taylor was particularly harsh, and not just because he is still owed $12.5 million from the team. He had become a fan favorite over 10 seasons in Los Angeles and some signature moments in the playoffs. "Most Dodgers fans would likely say Taylor's standout moment was his walk-off home run off the St. Louis Cardinals' Alex Reyes to win the 2021 National League wild-card game," Ian Casselberry wrote for Yahoo! Sports. "He also shared 2021 NLCS MVP honors with Justin Turner. ... In eight postseasons, he hit a collective .247 with a .792 OPS, 13 doubles, 9 homers and 26 RBI." Taylor has certainly struggled at the plate in recent seasons, but that playoff experience could be valuable to any number of teams looking for their own bench upgrade — perhaps even his old team's bitter rival, the San Diego Padres. "The past month has seen a purported World Series contender regress in multiple ways after a franchise-best start," Dennis Lin wrote of the Padres for The Athletic. "The Los Angeles Dodgers released Chris Taylor, making him a hypothetical candidate to address the Padres left-field woes." Taylor could be a great fit with the Padres as he's got significant experience in left field and might be an upgrade over the team's own slumping veteran, Jason Heyward. Now that Taylor is a free agent, he could join any number of teams that might benefit from his versatility and experience. But a move to the Padres might be a tough thing for some of his longtime fans to witness. More MLB: Dodgers Urged to Acquire $5.3 Million All-Star Reliever From Spiraling AL Club in Blockbuster Trade
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers DFA Chris Taylor and Activate Tommy Edman From Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a strong start, despite multiple veterans underperforming and other stars getting injured. Ahead of the Dodgers' series finale against the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers made a key roster decision. According to David Vassegh of Dodger Talk on Twitter/X, Chris Taylor doesn't have a locker in the Dodgers clubhouse, and that utility infielder/outfielder and fan-favorite Tommy Edman is expected to be activated on Sunday, May 18. In an update on Taylor's locker being absent from the clubhouse, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported on Twitter/X that Taylor has been designated for assignment. The departure of Taylor marks the second time a long-tenured Dodgers player has been designated for assignment by the team this week. Earlier, Austin Hedges was DFA'd to bring up top catching prospect Dalton Rushing. Now, Taylor is DFA'd to make room for Edman to return to the lineup. Advertisement Taylor was in the final year of a four-year, $60 million deal. He helped the Dodgers win two World Series, and accumulated a decade of experience in Los Angeles with the Dodgers. After 10 years in Los Angeles, Taylor accumulated 108 home runs, 846 hits, 505 runs, 195 doubles, and 433 RBI en route to an incredible Dodgers tenure. He was named to the All-Star team in 2021, and was NLCS MVP in 2017. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor (3) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Dodger Hui-Imagn Images His departure, while bitter-sweet, comes amid his a poor start to 2025. In just 35 plate appearances, Taylor was hitting just .200, with a very low .457 OPS. His departure paves the way for Edman to return to the lineup. Advertisement Edman was off to an incredible start to the year. While he was hitting just .252, Edman had an incredible .523 slugging percentage and an .818 OPS. Edman in just 122 plate appearances had 28 hits, 19 runs, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs, and 24 RBI. The former Gold Glove winner for the St. Louis Cardinals has made a huge impact on the Dodgers since joining the team for the 2024 season. He had an incredible postseason, being named NLCS MVP in 2024 en route to the Dodgers second ring in five seasons. Edman's return is much-needed after dropping two games to the Angels. While Taylor's career in Dodger blue is likely over, the veteran utility-man will be beloved by the Dodgers fandom. Related: Dodgers Expected to Monitor Trade Talks Surrounding All-Star Third Baseman Related: Dodgers Trade Idea Lands Blue Jays' Bo Bichette Amid Rumors
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers release veteran utilityman Chris Taylor, ending 10 seasons with team
Chris Taylor is getting squeezed out in the Los Angeles Dodgers' roster crunch. The 12-year veteran has been released, which was announced by the team on Sunday. The move creates room on the Dodgers' active roster for Tommy Edman, who was activated for Sunday's game versus the Los Angeles Angels. Edman, who has eight home runs and an .818 OPS this season, has been on the injured list since April 30 due to an ankle injury. Moving Taylor off the roster allows the Dodgers to avoid sending Hyeseong Kim back to the minors, letting him develop while playing major-league games. Kim isn't starting regularly, but in 14 appearances, he has compiled a .452/.485/.581 slash line with a home run, 5 RBI and 3 stolen bases. Taylor, 34, is the second longtime veteran the Dodgers have cut ties with in the past week. Catcher Austin Barnes, the team's longest-tenured position player, was moved off the roster Wednesday to clear a spot for top prospect Dalton Rushing. Taylor had the second-longest stay as a position player on the Dodgers' roster after Barnes. Thank you, CT3. — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 18, 2025 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. Most Dodgers fans would likely say Taylor's standout moment was his walk-off home run off the St. Louis Cardinals' Alex Reyes to win the 2021 National League wild-card game. He also shared 2021 NLCS MVP honors 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, 9 homers and 26 RBI. Taylor is still owed $12.75 million to finish the four-year, $60 million deal he signed with the Dodgers before the 2022 season. (That total includes a $4 million buyout from the 2026 club option in the deal.) Because he's being released, rather than designated for assignment, Taylor becomes a free agent immediately. More Dodgers moves could be coming with Teoscar Hernández set to return soon from a left groin strain. Hernández began a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday. James Outman will likely return to Triple-A Oklahoma City when Hernández is activated. Reliever Kirby Yates is also headed to the IL due to a right hamstring injury. Lou Trivino will be called up to take his spot. The Dodgers go into Sunday's MLB slate with a one-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West, at 29-17.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers release veteran utilityman Chris Taylor, ending 10 seasons with team
Chris Taylor is getting squeezed out in the Los Angeles Dodgers' roster crunch. The 12-year veteran has been released, which was officially announced by the team on Sunday afternoon. The move creates room on the Dodgers' active roster for Tommy Edman, who was activated for Sunday's game versus the Los 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. Advertisement Moving Taylor off the roster also allows the Dodgers to avoid sending Hyeseong Kim back 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 the Dodgers have cut ties with in the past week. Catcher Austin Barnes, the team's longest-tenured position player, was moved off the roster Wednesday to clear a spot for top prospect Dalton Rushing. Taylor had the second-longest stay as a position player 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. Most Dodgers fans would likely say Taylor's standout moment was his walk-off home run off the St. Louis Cardinals' Alex Reyes to win the 2021 National League wild-card game. He also shared NLCS MVP honors in 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, 9 homers and 26 RBI. Advertisement Taylor is still owed $12.75 million to finish out the four-year, $60 million deal he signed with the Dodgers before the 2022 season. (That total includes a $4 million buyout from the 2026 club option in the deal.) Since he's being released, rather than designated for assignment, Taylor becomes a free agent immediately rather than waiting out the waivers process or an unlikely trade. More moves could be coming with Teoscar Hernández set to return soon from a left groin strain. Hernández began a minor league rehab assignment Saturday. James Outman would likely return to Triple-A Oklahoma City when Hernández is activated. The Dodgers go into Sunday's MLB slate with a one-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West at 29-17.
