Just hours ahead of their series against the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran utility man Chris Taylor for the rest of the 2025 season. The former Dodgers standout joins the Angels on a one-year deal worth $760,000. Impressively, Taylor is slated to start in center field Monday night. Due to the recent designation for assignment of Shaun Anderson, no 40-man roster move is needed. However, Kyren Paris will be optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster.
Taylor and longtime Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes were both recently released, decisions that reportedly stirred mixed emotions within the Dodgers clubhouse. Known for his versatility and clutch playoff performances, Taylor played nearly every position during his time in Los Angeles. Though not unexpected, his release signals a shift in the Dodgers’ approach, as they prioritize upside and raw talent over the veteran leadership Taylor and Barnes provided.
The Angels, meanwhile, are bringing Taylor in at a time when outfielder Jo Adell continues to struggle with consistency. Taylor’s experience and disciplined approach could provide much-needed stability to an offense that has been plagued by inconsistency. In addition to leadership, Taylor offers valuable flexibility—he has logged over 90 games at five different positions: left field, center field, third base, second base, and shortstop. Even if young infielder Matthew Lugo re-emerges as a core piece for the team, Taylor’s adaptability allows him to contribute in multiple roles.
While Taylor is clearly not the same player he once was during his peak with the Dodgers, and despite a sluggish start this season with just 35 at-bats and limited production, there’s potential for a resurgence. If he settles in, he could follow in the footsteps of Yoán Moncada as a player finding new life in Anaheim.
Overall, this is a low-risk move for the Angels. In the best-case scenario, Taylor rediscovers his form and becomes a reliable contributor. If not, the team can move forward without much loss. Given his ability to play all over the field, it’s likely Taylor sticks around as a useful bench option on a team still trying to find its identity.
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