The Angels are bringing back a familiar face, reuniting with veteran utility man Chris Taylor in a move that adds depth and versatility heading into Spring Training. While it’s not yet confirmed whether Taylor’s deal is of the major league or minor league variety, signs point toward a non-roster invite with a shot to earn a spot in camp.
Taylor, now a seasoned presence with over six years of MLB service time, wrapped up the 2025 season in Anaheim after being cut loose by the Dodgers in May. The Angels gave him a shot on a big league deal, and he went on to appear in 30 games.
His calling card remained his defensive flexibility - starting games at all three outfield spots as well as second and third base - but the bat didn’t follow suit. He hit just .179 in 90 plate appearances, striking out 29 times and struggling to find a rhythm at the plate.
Part of that was due to injury. Taylor suffered a broken left hand shortly after joining the Halos and spent most of the summer on the injured list. A brief return in July didn’t stick, and he was mostly sidelined until a late-season reappearance in September.
Across stints with both L.A. clubs in 2025, Taylor posted a combined slash line of .186/.256/.301 over 125 plate appearances. It’s a continuation of a troubling trend - over the past two seasons, his offensive production has dipped sharply.
The bat speed and pop that once made him a key contributor in the Dodgers’ lineup have faded, and the strikeouts have piled up. In his last 371 plate appearances, Taylor owns a .196/.284/.301 line with six home runs and a 32% strikeout rate - numbers that underscore the offensive challenges he’s facing at this stage of his career.
Still, there’s value in what Taylor brings to the table. He remains an above-average runner, and his ability to play virtually any position outside of catcher and shortstop gives the Angels a safety net as they sort through a roster with more questions than answers.
Second base is wide open in Anaheim. Christian Moore, Vaughn Grissom, Oswald Peraza, and non-roster invitee Nick Madrigal are all in the mix, but there’s no clear frontrunner.
At third, Yoán Moncada is penciled in, but his injury history makes depth a necessity, not a luxury. In the outfield, the Angels are piecing things together with Jo Adell and Josh Lowe likely to see regular time, while Mike Trout and Jorge Soler are expected to split duties between the outfield and designated hitter.
That’s where Taylor’s value could shine. He’s not coming in to carry the lineup - those days are likely behind him - but he can give the Angels a steady glove and veteran presence off the bench, especially if injuries or inconsistencies crop up.
Because Taylor ended last season on a major league roster and has over six years of service time, he qualifies as an Article XX(b) free agent. If he’s indeed signing a minor league deal, it’ll come with built-in opt-out dates: five days before Opening Day, May 1, and June 1 - giving him some control over his future if a roster spot doesn’t materialize in Anaheim.
For now, Taylor gets another shot to prove he can still contribute in a meaningful way. And for the Angels, it’s a low-risk move that could pay off if the veteran can recapture even a bit of the spark that once made him a key piece on a playoff team.