Oct 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Chris Taylor (3) celebrates after scoring on right fielder Mookie Betts (50, not pictured) RBI double in the eighth inning during game three of the 2021 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Taylor was the star of Game 5 of the NLCS on Thursday night. But how did the Los Angeles Dodgers acquire him?
The Los Angeles Dodgers were entering familiar territory — facing a 3-1 deficit entering Game 5 of the National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers did manage to come to life to win the next three games last year, and they certainly looked rejuvenated on Thursday night.
Los Angeles managed to dominate Atlanta, thanks in part to the stellar performance by Chris Taylor, who hit three home runs in the 11-2 victory. But how did the Dodgers manage to get the slugging utility man?
How did the Dodgers acquire Chris Taylor?
The Dodgers acquired Taylor back on June 19, 2016 in a trade with the Seattle Mariners. In exchange, the Mariners received right-handed pitcher Zach Lee.
Prior to that trade, Lee had only pitched in one major league game for Los Angeles on July 25, 2015, where he recorded three strikeouts and one walk, but surrendered seven earned runs on 11 hits through 4.2 innings of work against the New York Mets. Lee last pitched in the majors with the San Diego Padres in 2017, where he recorded a 5.63 ERA and 2.00 WHIP through three games.
Lee is currently pitching in the Cincinnati Reds’ minor league system.
Taylor went from hitting zero home runs through 86 games (2014-16) with the Mariners to hitting three in Game 5 of the 2021 NLCS to help keep the Dodgers’ World Series aspirations alive.