ANAHEIM, Calif. — When the Los Angeles Dodgers released Chris Taylor on May 18, it was “emotional.” But he knew that it also made sense.
“Obviously I’ve been with the Dodgers for nine years. But I do believe it was time,” Taylor said. “It was my time to kind of start fresh, and hopefully turn the page and start a new chapter. I’m excited to do that here.”
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The Angels signed Taylor to a one-year contract on Monday and will pay him the prorated MLB minimum. The Dodgers are on the hook for the rest of the $15 million he’ll make this season.
The 12-year MLB veteran was an All-Star in Los Angeles, where he won two World Series championships.
His production fell off greatly over the past two seasons, however. Taylor hit just .202 with a .598 OPS over 87 games in 2024. He was just 7-for-35 at the plate this season for the Dodgers, with 13 strikeouts and zero walks.
His last good season came in 2023, when he was worth 1.5 WAR and had a .746 OPS. He hopes to prove he can still be that player with the Angels, who needed a productive outfield bat.
“He brings experience. It’s something we need in there,” said Angels manager Ron Washington. “He’s been through the wars. He’s a good piece for those young guys to talk to. He’s been in the grind over there in L.A. And we want that. We’ve seen him play, and we’re going to give him an opportunity to see what he’s got left.”
The #Angels have signed INF/OF Chris Taylor (#33) to a Major League contract.
Following yesterday’s game, Kyren Paris was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) May 26, 2025
Washington said Taylor will be used as a utility player. Taylor was penciled in for center field in his Angels debut on Monday, but he will also be used on the infield, likely more so following the return of outfielder Mike Trout (knee). It stands to reason Taylor’s infield reps will come at second base.
His acquisition follows a pattern for the Angels, who have added notable players midseason to band-aid the roster and keep the team competitive. In June 2023, the Angels traded for Mike Moustakas. And in April last season, they signed Kevin Pillar after he’d been DFA’d by the White Sox.
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The Angels’ outfield situation was fairly precarious. Kyren Paris, who was optioned on Monday, hit just .110 with 50 strikeouts over his last 98 plate appearances, spanning 30 games. Jo Adell hasn’t been good this season, hitting just .184 with six errors in the outfield. Matthew Lugo was hot after his May 9 call-up, but was then in a 1-for-15 slump with eight strikeouts.
If Taylor can provide more remains to be seen. The 34-year-old will certainly get a chance to play more than he had with the Dodgers.
“I feel like I have a lot to prove to myself,” Taylor said. “I haven’t performed to how I feel I’m capable of playing the last couple seasons. I want to turn that around.”
Taylor said he’s confident he can still be the player he was with the Dodgers before his offensive downturn last season. He said his main issue was a product of poor swing mechanics more than anything else. He said he is physically healthy, and noted that he’s stayed fresh because he hasn’t played much.
Taylor won’t be a total stranger in Anaheim, either. He’ll reunite with pitcher Tyler Anderson, who spent the 2022 season with the Dodgers. And closer Kenley Jansen, one of the most decorated Dodgers closers of all time, spent six years alongside Taylor.
“Yeah, C.T. man, it’s awesome man,” Jansen said. “When you have a longtime teammate like that coming up, to be back playing with you is awesome. I’m happy to hear that he’s back. It’s nice. It’s nice to have him back. Hopefully he gets his time and showcases who he is.”
(Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
