Chris Taylor Re-Signs with Angels, Dodgers Rivalry Heats Up

Former Dodgers utility player joins crosstown rival Angels on minor league deal

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Chris Taylor, a former utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers who helped the team win two World Series titles, has re-signed with their crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Angels, on a minor league contract. The move comes as the Dodgers have bolstered their roster with key additions like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, positioning themselves as early favorites for the 2026 season.

Why it matters

Taylor's departure from the Dodgers and signing with the Angels adds another layer of intensity to the longstanding rivalry between the two Los Angeles-based MLB teams. The Dodgers' aggressive offseason moves underscore their determination to maintain their recent championship dominance, while the Angels hope Taylor can contribute to their roster and challenge their crosstown rivals.

The details

Chris Taylor first arrived in Los Angeles in 2016 as a relatively unknown utility player and transformed into a versatile athlete capable of contributing defensively across multiple positions and offensively in the batting lineup. Over ten seasons with the Dodgers, Taylor showcased an ability to play nearly every field position while establishing himself as an important lineup presence. His achievements with the Dodgers include an All-Star selection in 2021, highlighted by a .254 batting average, 20 home runs, and 73 RBIs, as well as earning the NLCS MVP title in 2017. However, the influx of new star players in 2025 led to his release from the Dodgers in May of that year.

  • Chris Taylor re-signed with the Angels in February 2026.
  • Taylor was released by the Dodgers in May 2025.

The players

Chris Taylor

A former utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers who helped the team win two World Series titles. He has now re-signed with the Los Angeles Angels on a minor league contract.

Los Angeles Dodgers

A Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles, California, who have won two consecutive World Series titles and have aggressively bolstered their roster this offseason.

Los Angeles Angels

A Major League Baseball team based in Anaheim, California, who have signed Chris Taylor to a minor league contract in hopes that he can contribute to their roster and challenge their crosstown rivals, the Dodgers.

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What they’re saying

“Chris Taylor is here at #Angels camp. It's a Minor League deal.”

— Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com reporter (X)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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