The Los Angeles Dodgers made a statement when they released center fielder Chris Taylor on Sunday, three days after designating catcher Austin Barnes for assignment.

The decisions showed that the Dodgers are willing to do whatever it takes to win back-to-back World Series titles, even at the cost of two long-time veterans.

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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained on Wednesday that Taylor wanted an opportunity to play more. A superstar-loaded Dodgers roster limited Taylor’s playing time in Los Angeles.

In order to play more, Taylor would have to depart from the Dodgers after 10 seasons. 

“He wanted an opportunity if it was not going to be here to play more, to play somewhere else. So that’s kind of the thought behind how it played out,” Roberts told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain in a press conference on Wednesday. “I respect him for betting on himself and hopefully he gets an opportunity to play more somewhere else.”

Dave Roberts on Chris Taylor:

“It was tough. He handled the conversation really well. He’s had a lot of huge moments for us in the postseason. He wanted an opportunity to play more and if it wasn’t going to be here, to play somewhere else. I respect him for betting on himself.” pic.twitter.com/VUy2vnBGSk

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) May 21, 2025

Although the decision was influenced by Taylor’s wishes, Roberts said releasing their longest-tenured position player was difficult. 

“It was tough,” Roberts said. “He handled the conversation really well.”

In his early seasons with the Dodgers, Taylor was a regular on the field. The two-time World Series champion became known for his versatility on defense. 

Taylor left his mark on Los Angeles when he hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of the 2021 NL Wild Card game against the St. Louis Cardinals. 

“He’s had a lot of huge moments for us in the postseason and played in as many games as any Dodger in history as far as the postseason experience,” Roberts said. “He always did what we asked and was always on board.”

In addition to his contributions on the field, Roberts applauded Taylor and his wife, Mary, for their charity work. The pair run the CT3 Foundation, which assists families physically and financially during challenging times.

“Mary and Chris, what they did for the community with their foundation, they’re just very much givers,” Roberts said.

As Taylor walks aways from a decade-long career with the Dodgers, the 2021 NL All-Star will continue to impact the community and any MLB team he joins.

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Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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