This Player Just Makes Too Much Sense for the Phillies

After declining his qualifying offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chris Taylor makes a perfect fit for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kade Kistner | Nov 18, 2021

Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for the right player. President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has reiterated that all offseason. Outfield. Leadoff hitter. Middle-of-the-order bat. Potentially an infielder.

After rejecting the Los Angeles Dodgers' $18.4 million qualifying offer, Chris Taylor could be exactly what they Phillies are looking for.

During the 2021 MLB season, Taylor played six different positions while slashing .254/.344/.438 with 20 home runs and a 3.1 fWAR. His second half wasn't as strong as his first half, but his slashline and fWAR was right in line with his 2017-20 numbers.

Taylor is able to play any outfield position while also being a utilityman around the diamond. At 31-years-old, Taylor would be able to offer veteran leadership, but more importantly has been to a World Series and experienced victory. Something no other current Phillies member has done.

Taylor's .842 OPS and a 128 wRC+ in 62 postseason games is something that would become very useful if the Phillies could once again taste the postseason. His leadership and experience can't be overlooked.

To top it all off, the utilityman was named an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2021. Through July 31, he batted .283/.375/.499 with 17 home runs, good enough for him to be selected for the honor. Of course, his second half slashline of .187/.271/.293 and 3 home runs was more concerning.

Regardless, Taylor would help fill multiple needs for Philadelphia and his versatility is easily his biggest calling card. According to MLB Trade Rumors, they predict Taylor would garner a contract somewhere in the four-year/$64 million range.

Regardless of the new CBA, Taylor is someone the Phillies could afford. It could even allow them to go out and get another big bat or a closer while still addressing their defensive concerns.

It's a no lose situation for Philadelphia.

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Published Nov 18, 2021

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.