In a surprising move that left fans dumbfounded, the Los Angeles Dodgers let go two of their longest tendered players, utility man Chris Taylor, and catcher Austin Barnes. The two men were key players in the team’s recent success in the last few years that featured World Series titles in 2020 and 2024.
Chris Taylor, signed by the Dodgers in 2016, was quickly central to the team’s identity. Taylor was released on May 18, 2025, to make room for the activation of Tommy Edman from the IR. While he had been a reliable contributor in the past, Taylor underachieved in the 2025, batting just .200 in 28 games.
“It was emotional,” Taylor said of his release. “I’d been with the Dodgers for nine years, but I do believe it was time for me. It was my time to kind of start fresh and hopefully turn the page, start a new chapter.”
Within days of his release, Taylor signed a one year $760,000 contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He opened for the Angels as a center fielder and eighth batter against the New York Yankees.
“He brings experience, which is something we need in there,” Angels manager said. “He’s been in the grind with LA, and we want that. We’re going to give him an opportunity to see what he’s got left.”
Austin Barnes, a reliable back-up catcher, was waived on May 14 and subsequently released on May 20, 2025. By doing this, the Dodgers have promoted top prospect Dalton Rushing. Barnes has been with the Dodgers since 2015.
“Barnes and Taylor were cut four days apart last week. Each was the longest-tenured position player in the organization at the time,” future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw said. “When Barnes was designated for assignment Wednesday everybody was surprised that it happened.”
The decision to release both players was done in a combination of many factors. With younger talent like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto stretching the payroll. Teammates have mourned the loss of two respective veterans who were part of the teams, chemistry and success.
“We didn’t feel like coming into the season this was something that we would necessarily be doing in May,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters Sunday. “But you learn things and things change and things evolve and play out.”
For the fans, however, the decision is difficult to process. Taylor and Barnes were not just players; they were a duo of guys who were part of the team’s identity.
2nd baseman Kiké Hernández remembers, “(Barnes) was always the jokester, cracking jokes, getting guys going, stirring the pot. You need a guy in there that everybody kind of looks to. When everybody’s sitting around, Barnesy was the guy who got everybody engaged, got everybody talking. CT was much quieter, more to himself. That might be a little different. But CT was a guy who was always an example of working hard.
Across LA, the relationship from fans has been very emotional. Many are struggling with the sudden departure of two players who helped define Dodger baseball. Players and fans take to social media to express their disappointment and nostalgia, sharing memories of Taylor‘s game winners and Barnes behind the plate.
“Any time someone gets DFA’d, it’s always tough,” Muncy said. “They’re here, and then you show up the next day and it’s like they never existed. That’s why this is such a tough business. You build friendships and then they’re just gone.”
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