Chris Taylor has officially retired from Major League Baseball after 12 seasons, according to the MiLB.com transaction log. The 33-year-old utilityman, who spent his final season in Triple-A with the Los Angeles Angels, played a key role in two World Series championships and four NL pennants with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Taylor was selected in the fifth round by the Seattle Mariners in 2012 and spent parts of two seasons in Seattle before being traded to the Dodgers in June 2016 for right-hander Zach Lee. That trade would later be called “the worst deal I ever made” by then-Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto.
Taylor's breakout came in 2017 when he hit .288/.354/.496 with 21 home runs and 34 doubles over 140 games. He carried that momentum into the postseason with a .894 OPS, including two homers in the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs. Taylor was named co-series MVP alongside Justin Turner.
From 2018 to 2021, Taylor hit .258/.340/.450 with 57 home runs and earned an All-Star nod in 2021. He won his first World Series ring in 2020 and followed it up with a memorable walk-off home run against St. Louis Cardinals’ Alex Reyes in the 2021 Wild Card Game.
Despite his 2021 success, Taylor struggled in the following seasons due to injuries and declining production. He hit just .231/.318/.383 in 2022 and .219/.321/.365 in 2023. He remained a key clubhouse figure and won another World Series in 2024 when the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games.
In 2025, Taylor spent time with both the Dodgers and Angels but hit just .186 in 58 games. He was hit by a pitch in his final professional at-bat on Wednesday and did not return. Over his career, Taylor recorded 860 hits, 110 home runs, and a .248/.327/.419 batting line.
Taylor played in six different positions and was credited with 16-17 Wins Above Replacement. He earned nearly $78 million over his MLB career and leaves behind a legacy as a versatile, clutch performer.
The Angels will now look to fill the utility roles Taylor once occupied. The 2025 season is already in the books, but his final chapter ends with three World Series rings and a 10-year service milestone achieved.
The Atlanta Braves designated José Azócar for assignment on Wednesday after Eli White returned from a concussion. Azócar elected free agency after clearing outright waivers, according to the MLB.com transaction log. The move opens a roster spot for the Braves as they navigate return-to-play scenario
just now
The New York Yankees have begun shifting Anthony Volpe to second base drills, as manager Aaron Boone revealed to reporters on Friday. Despite José Caballero’s return from the injured list, Volpe remains on the big league roster following the team’s decision to option rookie outfielder Spencer Jones
3 hours ago
The Colorado Rockies placed outfielder Mickey Moniak on the 10-day injured list due to right ankle tendinitis ahead of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rookie Sterlin Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to fill Moniak’s spot on the roster. The move comes as Moniak has misse
4 hours ago
The Boston Red Sox are moving Marcelo Mayer to shortstop for the first time in his MLB career following Trevor Story's season-ending sports hernia surgery. Interim manager Chad Tracy announced the position change, with Mayer expected to make his first MLB start at shortstop on Sunday. The decision c
4 hours ago